Sermons on Several Subjects, Sermon 3
SERMON III. The Lord Juſus Chriſt appointed to be the Judge of the World.
ACT. X. 42.
And he commanded us to preach unto the People, and to teſtify, that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
THAT God will judge the World in righteouſneſs, is a truth agreable to the light of nature, that candle of the Lord, which inlightens every man that comes into the world; and has obtain'd the conſent of all ages, not only among the nations who live in the valley of viſion and enjoy the ſupernatural revelation of the Goſpel, but alſo among thoſe who inhabit the regions of darkneſs, and are ſtrangers to the Covenant of promiſe.
Indeed the Gentile world had but dark and confuſed notions of a future Judgment; they diſguiſed this awful truth under the moſt abſurd and ridiculous fictions; yet the belief of it was almoſt univerſal: We have frequent intimations of it in the fables of their Poets, the harangues of their Orators, and the preſcripts of their celebrated moraliſts. But tho' they expected a day of future recompence, in which the righteous would be ſignally rewarded, and the wicked remarkably puniſh'd, yet they were intirely ignorant of the Perſon by whom this Judgment ſhould be adminiſtred, and the ſurpriſing circumſtances that ſhould attend his approach. This was one of the ſecrets of the divine Counſel, which none of the Princes or Philoſophers of the world were acquainted with, and which we could never have diſcovered by our moſt painful and laborious enquiries, had not God been pleas'd to reveal it unto us in his word; and here we have not only the nature of a future judgment unfolded, but the awful ſolemnities that will attend it deſcribed, and are aſſured that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is ordained of God to be the Judge of the quick and the dead: which words afford us this important doctrine for the ſubject of our preſent meditation, That the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is appointed the ſupreme and univerſal Judge of the world.
In ſpeaking to which (by divine aſſiſtance) I ſhall,
Firſt, Conſider how clearly this great truth is revealed in the word of God.
Secondly, Shew how excellently Chriſt is qualified for this exalted office.
Thirdly, Enquire into the Reaſons of this Divine appointment.
Firſt. I am to conſider how clearly it is revealed in the word of God, that the Lord Jeſus is appointed the great and univerſal Judge of the world.
The ſupreme power of Judgment belongs to the Bleſſed God, whoſe creatures we are, by whoſe Laws we are govern'd, and to whom we are accountable for our moral actions: the exerciſe of this power is committed to Chriſt, the only mediator between God and man. This our Saviour himſelf expreſsly declares, Job. 5.22. The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son. He aſſures his Diſciples, that the hour is coming, in which all that are in their graves ſhall hear his voice, and ſhall come forth; they that have done good, to the reſurrection of life, and they that have done evil, to the reſurrection of damnation, verſ. 28, 29.— The Angels publiſh'd the fame doctrine at our Lord's aſcenſion, and inform'd his aſtoniſh'd Diſciples, that this ſame Jeſus whom they had ſeen taken up into heaven, ſhould ſo come in like manner as they had ſeen him go up into heaven. Act. 1.11. — This truth the Apoſtles were commanded to preach and teſtify to all People: therefore we find St. Paul declaring to the Philoſophers of Athens, that God would judge the world in righteouſneſs by that Man whom he had ordained, Act. 17.31.— And our Lord himſelf repeats the promiſe of his coming, in the Revelation of St. John, the laſt of the inſpired writings, Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me. Rev. 22.12. From theſe, and innumerable other Texts that might be mentioned, we have the fulleſt evidence that our Lord Jeſus Chriſt is appointed the ſupreme Judge of the world.
He is now ſeated at the right hand of the Majeſty on high, and dwells in inacceſſible Glory; the whole creation is ſubject to his authority, and he governs the inhabitants of heaven and earth according to his ſovereign pleaſure. He is indeed inviſible to mortal eyes, and the curtains of heaven conceal his glory from us. But theſe heavens ſhall ſhortly paſs away as a ſcroll, and flee from before his preſence; then ſhall he appear in the majeſty of an incarnate God, and all nations ſhall be ſummon'd before his awful tribunal. I paſs,
Secondly, To ſhew how excellently he is qualified for this exalted office. All human Judgments are ſubject to innumerable imperfections, and the cauſe of Juſtice is often perverted through ignorance, partiality and prejudice. To judge the world in righteouſneſs, is a work too difficult to be performed by the moſt excellent creature. The Bleſſed Jeſus, who is in the Boſom of his Father, and is intimately acquainted with the divine ſecrets, he alone is capable of this important commiſſion, and he has all thoſe qualities which are neceſſary to the juſt and impartial diſcharge of it.
1. His Knowledge is infinite.— It is highly requiſite, that the ſupreme Judge of the world ſhould have an exact and intimate acquaintance with all perſons that are brought before him, and a full knowledge of the nature and circumſtances of the actions for which they are to be judged.mdash; For want of this, inſuperable difficulties attend the adminiſtration of human juſtice: the innocent are oftentimes expoſed to an hard and unrighteous ſentence, and the guilty eſcape the puniſhment they have deſerved.mdash; But the Judgment of the great day will be perfectly free from any uncertainly or miſtake; the knowledge of Chriſt being univerſal and unerring. All things are naked and open to the Eyes of him with whom we have to do, Heb. 4.13. He knows the perſons, and is acquainted with all the actions of the children of men. His Eyes are as flames of fire, and penetrate into the ſecret receſſes of the ſoul; he diſcerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart, the inward motives and deſigns of our actions. Thoſe abominations which are carefully concealed from the world, and committed in the darkeſt privacy, are as open to his critical inſpection, as if they had been perpetrated in the blaze of day, and expoſed to the public view of the world: for the darkneſs hideth not from him, but the night ſhineth as. the day, Pſal. 139.12. Tho' the wicked fly to uninhabited deſarts, and ſhelter themſelves in the dens and caverns of the earth, theſe diſmal ſolitudes will not ſcreen them from the preſence of their Judge, nor conceal their crimes from his accurate obſervation. For be compaſſeth our paths, and is acquainted with all our ways. He cannot be abuſed with doubtful evidence, deceived by any artful inſinuations, nor impoſed upon by any flattering appearances; but has all that knowledge that is neceſſary to form an impartial Judgment.
2. His Juſtice is inflexible.— Earthly Judges are ſubject to corruption, and a righteous cauſe oftentimes miſcarries, through the partiality and prejudice of thoſe who are plac'd in the ſeat of Judgment. They are ſometimes influenc'd by favour and affection, to extenuate the crimes of their friends, or perſwaded by bribes to pronounce an unrighteous ſentence. A ſlaviſh cowardiſe cauſes them to connive at the faults of men of power and eſtate, and a ſervile fear reſtrains them from an impartial execution of public Juſtice. Therefore Solomon mentions it as one of the great evils he had ſeen under the Sun, That he beheld the place of judgment, and behold wickedneſs was there, and the place of righteouſneſs, that iniquity was there, Eccl. 3.16. But thoſe mean and carnal conſiderations will have no influence upon the unerring judgment of Chriſt. The ſupreme Governour of the world is infinitely above all ſuſpicion of corruption or prejudice, and he will weild the ſword of juſtice with a ſteady and impartial hand; he loveth righteouſneſs and hateth iniquity, and will make a ſuitable diſtinction between his faithful obedient ſervants, and his perverſe and implacable enemies: the perfection of his nature ſecures him from the leaſt imputation of injuſtice, and his infinite kindneſs and compaſſion aſſures us, that he will conſider our frame, and put the moſt favourable conſtruction upon our actions: he cannot be brib'd by riches, nor aw'd by greatneſs and power; for he is the great and only potentate of heaven and earth, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, from whom the Princes of this world derive their Power, and to whom they are accountable for their conduct. With him therefore there is no reſpect of perſons, but the meaneſt ſlave ſhall have as fair a trial as the proudeſt monarch; Princes ſhall be diveſted of their imperial diadems, and ſtand upon a level with their inferior ſubjects. Every one ſhall receive according to the things done in the body, whether good or evil. He will paſs an unalterable doom, not only upon his open and avowed enemies, but alſo upon his pretended friends and followers. Secret hypocrites ſhall be unmaſk'd to the view of the world, and be expoſed in all their guilt and deformity; tho' they call Chriſt Lord, and pretend that they are of the number of his diſciples, yet they will be rejected and condemned by their righteous Judge: with terror in his looks and thunder in his voice, he will ſsay unto them, Depart from me, for I know you not, ye that work iniquity. Matth. 7.23. Thus he will judge the world in righteouſneſs, and the people with equity; and therefore is admirably fitted for the great work aſſign'd him: eſpecially if we conſider.
3. His power is almighty, and none can reſiſt the execution of his will.mdash; How often do we find earthly criminals plac'd above the reach of any human judicature, and defended by wealth and intereſt from the puniſhment of their crimes? But the great Judge of the world is clothed with omnipotence, and able to execute his vengeance upon the greateſt offenders: for he hath all power in heaven and earth committed unto him, Matth. 28.18. When he tabernacled in fleſh, and was clothed with the infirmities of mankind, univerſal nature own'd his dominion, and even Devils were ſubject to his authority; the dead were raiſed by the word of his power, and the tempeſtuous elements ſubmitted to his rebuke: and the power of Chriſt will be ſtill more illuſtriouſly diſplay'd, when all that are in their graves ſhall hear his voice, and at his command ſhall ſtart out of their duſty beds; when the righteous ſhall appear in the ſhining robes of immortal glory, but thoſe that deſpis'd him upon earth, be condemn'd at his awful barr, and doom'd to unalterable miſery. In vain will Sinners fly from his almighty arm, and endeavour to eſcape his avenging wrath: Who can contend with offended omnipotence? or ſubſiſt under the terrors of his indignation? The Anger of the moſt enraged Tyrant can only affect the body, and is confin'd within the narrow limits of this Life; but the wrath of our almighty Judge extends to the whole man, accompanies the ſinner beyond the grave, and endures through eternal Ages. And as he has power to puniſh the wicked according to their deſerts, ſo he is able to reward the righteous according to their works: He has manſions of glory prepar'd for their everlaſting reception, and will beſtow upon them an happineſs, vaſt as their capacities, and immortal as their ſouls.mdash; Thus you ſee how excellently the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is qualified to be the final Judge of the world: His knowledge is infinite, and extends to the ſecret actions of men; his power is almighty, and none can reſiſt the execution of his will; his Juſtice is inflexible, and will be ſeen in impartially diſpenſing Rewards and Puniſhments. I proceed,
Thirdly, To Enquire into the Reaſons of this Divine Appointment, why this important Office is devolved upon the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. And,
1. It is in compaſſion to the weakneſs and frailty of mankind.— With GOD is terrible Majeſty; He dwells in unſufferable Glory, and the ſpotleſs Spirits above vail their faces before his dazling Throne; ſuch is his unſpotted purity, that the heavens are not clean in his ſight, and he chargeth his angels with folly: The mountains tremble at his preſence, and the pillars of heaven are aſtoniſh'd at his reproof. How then could the children of men ſupport the majeſty of his appearance, ſhould he deſcend in the naked terrors of the Deity, the unvailed Glories of the Divine Nature! God hath therefore compaſſionately ordain'd, that the laſt Judgment ſhall be adminſtred by one in our nature, who is bone of our bone, and fleſh of our fleſh, made in all things like unto us, only without ſin. And what can be more deſireable, than to appear before him whoſe delight from eternity has been with the ſons of men, and who ſhed his invaluable blood to redeem us from eternal deſtruction; who is not only the Judge of the world, but the Saviour of men; who is acquainted with the weakneſs of human nature, and the temptations to which we are expoſed; who will make the moſt favourable allowances for the frailties of his People! This may convince us with what kindneſs, condeſcention and equity, this great tranſaction will be managed, and aſſures us that he will condemn only thoſe, who have obſtinately deſpis'd his Goodneſs, and defeated the endearing methods of his Grace.
2. The Son of Man is appointed to be the Judge of the world, as a ſuitable reward for his obedience and ſufferings. This Reaſon is expreſsly given by St. Paul, Phil. 2.6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Who was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himſelf of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a ſervant, and was made in the likeneſs of men; and being found in faſhion as a man, he humbled himſelf and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Croſs: wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name, which is above every name, that at the name of Jeſus every knee ſhould bow, and every tongue ſhould confeſs, that Jeſus Chriſt is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father. It was an amazing ſtoop, for the Son of God to be made in the Likeneſs of ſinful Fleſh, to deſcend from a throne to a manger, from the government of the world to the ſtate of a ſervant, and to ſubmit to ſuch humbling circumſtances of poverty and diſgrace, and at laſt to ſuffer the Death of the Croſs, that he might advance the Glory of God, and procure the Salvation and Happineſs of man.— And what can be more reaſonable, than that he ſhould once more appear, to diſplay his glory as the only begotten of the Father, and convince the world how great and illuſtrious a perſon he is, God manifeſted in the Fleſh? What more ſuitable than that he who was rejected and deſpiſed of men, ſhould have power to ſummon at his awful barr all thoſe that inſulted and abuſed him, and puniſh them for the indignities they put upon him?
At his firſt coming, his dignity was vailed by the meanneſs of his condition, and he appear'd without form or comlineſs: But is it juſt, that the Sun of righreouſneſs ſhould always be cover'd with a cloud? Surely at his ſecond advent, every Reproach of Chriſt ſhall be wiped away, and he will ſhine in all the glories of an incarnate God. He was falſly accuſed by his malicious adverſaries, and unjuſtly arraign'd and condemn'd by the powers of the world: But the ſcene will be aſtoniſhingly changed, when the Kings and Judges of the Earth ſhall ſtand quivering before his tribunal, and receive an irreverſible ſentence from his mouth. Then every eye ſhall ſee him, not ſurrounded with a croud of inſulting ſcoffers, but attended with an innumerable hoſt of adoring Angels; not engag'd in a bloody conteſt with the powers of darkneſs, but with all his enemies ſubdued under his feet; not hanging upon a diſgraceful Croſs, but ſeated upon a triumphant Throne, and encircled with a ſhining train of heavenly courtiers. The thorns that pierced his ſacred head, will be chang'd into a ſparkling crown of glory; the ſpear that wounded his ſide, into a ſceptre of authority and government. Judas that betray'd him, Pilate that condemn'd him, and all thoſe who in all ages of the world have deſpiſed and rejected him, ſhall be confounded at his preſence, and call to the mountains to cover them, and the rocks to hide them from his avenging juſtice.
3. This appointment is deſign'd to inereaſe the viſible pomp and ſplendour of the future judgment. This great affair is to be tranſacted in a public and viſible manner, in the view of the whole world, for the diſplay of the divine glory, and the manifeſtation of his perfections, in the condemnation of a guilty world, and the final reward of his People: God hath therefore wiſely determined, that the laſt judgment ſhall be executed by a viſible perſon, in the ſight and hearing of men. God the Father is inviſible: and therefore judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son, becauſe he is the Son of man; that every eye may ſee him, when he appears on the Throne of Judgment, and every ear may hear that righteous Sentence he will pronounce.— And how will it increaſe the glory of that day, to ſee the Son of Man deſcending in the clouds of heaven, attended by the innumerable company of Angels, the noble army of martyrs, and the general aſſembly of the Church of the firſt born? How vaſt will be the majeſty and ſplendor of his appearance, when he ſhall come in his own glory and the glory of his Father, and ſhall ſit upon a radiant Throne high above all, encircled with the heavenly hoſts, ſhouting forth perpetual Hallelujahs! When all the apoſtate Angels, and the univerſal progeny of Adam, ſhall ſtand before his preſence, and wait to receive their unalterable doom! With what aſtoniſhment ſhall we behold the Heavens paſs away as a ſcroll, the elements melt with fervent heat, and the beautiful fabrick of the world conſum'd by devouring flames? Could we but paint the glories of that day in their awful colours, and repreſent to our minds the pomp and ſolemnity, in which our Judge will deſcend, it would diſgrace all the ſplendid vanities of the world, and ſhew us how unworthy they are of our regard and attention; it would inſpire us with the higheſt reverence for the authority of him who is now our rightful Sovereign, and will hereafter be our final Judge; and would influence us to endeavour an exact and univerſal obedience to his Laws. Which brings me to the IMPROVEMENT of my Subject, and
1. This evidences the Divinity of Chriſt, the great Judge of the world. To judge the world, is the prerogative of the ſupreme God, a Right inſeperable from the Crown of Heaven. Who can challenge ſuch a ſovereign authority, but he that made the world at firſt by his power, and preſerves it by his gracious providence? To whom ſhall we give an account of our behaviour, but to him who has given us theſe reaſonable natures, and made us moral and accountable creatures? Juſtly then does the Prophet ſay, The Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King, Iſa. 33.22.— From him is all inferior authority derived; by him Kings rule, and Princes decree juſtice.— And as He is the ſupreme Judge of the world, ſo no creature is capable to diſcharge this important office; for it requires infinite wiſdom to know the nature and circumſtances of our actions, and almighty power to puniſh rebellious Sinners.— What but the voice of God can awaken the dead, bring them out of their ſilent graves, and ſummon the whole world before his tremendous Judgment-ſeat?— Who but a divine Perſon can ſearch the hearts of men, and unfold the ſecret ſprings of their actions, from whence their malignity or goodneſs does principally ariſe?— Since then the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is ordain'd to this glorious work, we may juſtly conclude, that he muſt be the great God, as well as the Saviour of the world.
2. This takes away the ſcandal of the Croſs, and ſhews that we have no Reaſon to take offence at the meanneſs and ſufferings of Chriſt. Among all the prejudices that have been rais'd againſt the Goſpel, none has had a more fatal influence upon the bulk of mankind, than the mean and deſpicable appearance of the great Author of our holy Religion, and the bitter and ignominious ſufferings that he underwent. A cruciſied Chriſt was to the Jews a ſtumbling block, and to the Greeks fooliſhneſs. They thought it the higheſt abſurdity, that the Son of God ſhould be delivered into the hands of men, and expire upon a ſhameful Croſs.— But the firm belief of this truth, that Chriſt is appointed to be the Judge of the quick and the dead, takes away the reproach of the Croſs, and removes the darkneſs and contempt that attended his ſuffering ſtate.— For this informs us, that his humility and ſufferings made way for his advancement and triumph, and that he who was ſo ungratefully abuſed, and ſo unjuſtly condemn'd by the Princes of the earth, is now exalted to the Government of the world, and will ſhortly appear in dignity and power, to the Joy of his friends, and the terror and confuſion of his adverſaries. — Let then the Infidels of the Age deſpiſe his perſon, and deride his ſufferings, we are not aſham'd to own, that we are the Diſciples of a crucified Saviour. God forbid, that we ſhould not glory in the Croſs of Chriſt! For our Redeemer is great, and greatly to be praiſed: God hath rais'd him up from the dead, and given him a name above every name. We now by faith behold him ſeated at the right hand of power, and encompaſs'd with the triumphant acclamations of Heaven: but he will ſhortly rend the Heavens that now conceal his Glory, and appear in flaming fire to take vengeance on thoſe that know not God and obey not the Goſpel of Chriſt: then ſhall his enemies bow before him, and lick the duſt of his feet; and the dignity of his character and office ſhall be manifeſt to the whole world of Angels and men.
3. Hence the deſtruction of Goſpel-impenitents will be inevitable and intolerable. Men are apt to ſhelter themſelves from the terrors of the Law, by the gracious and merciful promiſes of the Goſpel: They imagine, tho' God is a conſuming fire, and wrath from heaven is declar'd againſt all ungodlineſs and unrighteouſneſs of men, yet that the merits of Chriſt will ſcreen them from the flames of hell, and ſecure them a title to immortal glory. But theſe are wild miſtakes, and contradict the whole deſign of the Goſpel. The bleſſed Jeſus indeed is a merciful and compaſſionate. Saviour, but yet he has denounced the ſevereſt damnation againſt incorrigible finners; his merits will be imputed only to thoſe that accept of his offers, and ſubmit to his reaſonable demands; he will be the author of eternal Salvation only to thoſe that obey him. Such as bear the name and character of Chriſtians, and yet by their wicked lives conſute their profeſſion, and openly declare that they will not have this man to reign over them, will be ſo far from receiving any advantage by the name of Chriſt, that it will be an aggravation of their guilt, and an increaſe of their ſuture condemnation. The blood of the covenant which they have trampled under foot, will cry aloud for vengeance; and the condeſcending mercies of heaven which they have prophan'd and deſpis'd, will be turn'd into reſentment and fury. They reject the only remedy which infinite grace hath provided for their recovery; and therefore will fall unpitied facrifices to his avenging juſtice. He that now offers to be their compaſſionate Saviour, will then appear their inexorable Judge. The meek and innocent Lamb of God will then be arm'd with the terrors of a devouring Lion: and thoſe that would not bow to the ſceptre of his Grace, ſhall be broke to pieces with the rod of his Anger. Their doom will be pronounc'd by him who was once the meſſenger of divine Grace, and made them the moſt friendly offers of mercy. This will doubtleſs give the bittereſt accent to their miſery, and fill them with the utmoſt conſternation and horror. How highly therefore does it become us now to ſecure an Intereſt in his Favour, that ſo he who will be our Judge, may alſo be our Friend! How reaſonable is that advice of the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 2.12. Kiſs the Son, leſt he be angry, and ye periſh in the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little, bleſſed are they that put their truſt in him. Which brings me to ſay,
4. Hence we ſee the certainty of the believer's compleat and eternal Salvation.— When we confider the unſpotted holineſs of our Judge, before whom the Angels ſtand chargeable with folly, and the heavens with impurity; when we reflect upon the corruption of our natures, and the innumerable imperfections that attend us; the beſt of men may tremble at the apprehenſion of a future Judgment, and ſtand amaz'd at the thought of having their eternal ſtate determin'd by ſo righteous and impartial a Judge: For if he ſhould be ſtrict to mark iniquity, who could ſtand before him! Verily every mouth muſt be ſtop'd, every tongue muſt confeſs their guilt, and own themſelves worthy of eternal damnation.— But, bleſſed be God, the Goſpel affords the true believer a ſolid foundation of hope, under all theſe affrighting conſiderations; thoſe that have by faith ſecur'd an intereſt in Chriſt, and made it the ſincere endeavour of their lives to approve themſelves to his all-ſeeing eye, ſhall eſcape that dreadful Sentence that will be pronounc'd upon an impenitent world. For he whom they accepted as their Saviour, is appointed to be their Judge; they have reſign'd themſelves to his almighty and compaſſionate hands, and he has engag'd to be their compleat and eternal deliverer. He will therefore ſave them from the dark horrors of the grave, and the amazing terrors of the laſt day, and put them in poſſeſſion of that Kingdom he has prepar'd for them. He has bought them out of the hands of Judge by his atoning blood, and purchas'd for them a title to the manſions of Glory by his invaluable merits. Surely then he will not ſuffer the ends of his death to be defeated, nor the ſacred purchaſe of his blood to miſcarry. We may be aſſur'd he has not forgot the diſtreſſing ſorrows of his life, nor the dreadful agonies of his Croſs.— That Love that nailed him to the curſed tree, and brought him down to the duſt of death, for the redemption of his People; will excite him to take care of their welfare, and finiſh the work he has begun.
Let Infidels tremble at the approach of their Judge, who have out-fin'd his infinite mercy, and denied their God and Saviour: Let fearfulneſs ſeize the hypocrite, and horror ſurprize the ſinners in Zion, who are enemies to Chriſt, under the diſguiſe of a viſible profeſſion.— But let the Saints in Chriſt Jeſus liſt up their heads with Joy, and long for the coming of their Lord. When he ſays by the Spirit to his Churches, Behold I come quickly, let our Souls eccho back with the loudeſt tranſports of Joy, Even ſo come, Lord Jeſus!
To Him, &c.Preach'd Dec. 4.1737.
AMEN.