(2.) The types show it. I shall instance in one, which is the high priest^s entering with blood into the holy place within the vail ; and when he had finished his service and ministration there, he came forth to bless the people, which the apostle explaineth and applieth to Christ, Heb. ix. 24-28.
(3.) There are ordinances appointed in the church to keep afoot the remembrance of his promise— the Lord's supper : 1 Cor. xi. 26,
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' For as often as 3'e eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show forth the Lord's death till he come.' He hath left it as a monument of his faithfulness, that upon all occasions we may renew our hopes and expectations of it.
(4.) We have an inward pledge — his Spirit, and the visits of his grace. He hath taken our flesh, and left with us his Spirit. He went not from us in anger, but in love, to set all things at rights, and to bring us there where he is.
(5.) Christ's interest is concerned in it —
(1st.) That the glory of his person may be seen. His first coming was obscure and without observation. Then he came in the form of a servant, but now he will come as the lord and heir, in power and glory. Then John Baptist was his forerunner, now an archangel. Then he came with twelve disciples, men of mean condition in the world, a few poor fishermen; now with legions of angels, Jude 14. Then as a minister of circumcision, now as the judge of all the world. Then he invited men to repentance, now he cometh to render vengeance to the neglecters and despisers of his grace. Then he offered himself as a mediator between Grod and man, as a high IH'iest to God and an apostle to men, Heb. iii. 1, but veiled his divinity under the infirmities of his flesh ; now he cometh in God's name to judge men, and in all his glor}'. Then he wrought some miracles, which liis enemies imputed to diabolical arts and magical impostures ; at the day of judgment there will be no need of miracles to assert the divinity of his person, because all will be obvious to sense. Then he prepared himself to suffer death, now he shall tread death under his feet. Then he stood before the tribunals of men, and was condemned to the cursed death of the cross ; now he shall sit upon a glorious throne, all kings and potentates expecting their doom and sentence from his mouth. Then he came not to judge, but to save, now to render unto every one according to their works. Then he was scorned, buffeted, spit upon, crowned with thorns, but now crowned with glory and honour. Then he came to bear the sins of many ; now without sin, not bearing our burden, but our discharge, not as a surety, but as a paymaster, not as a sufferer, but a conqueror, triumphing over death, hell, and the devil. He cometh no more to go from us, but to take us from all misery to himself.
(2d.) That he may possess what he hath purchased. He bought us at a dear rate, and would he be at all this loss and preparation for nothing ? Surely he that came to suffer will come to triumph, and he that pur- chased will possess, Heb. ii. 13.
(3d.) AVith respect to the wicked. It is a part of his office to triumph over them in their final overthrow. All things shall be put under his feet, Isa. xlv. 23, Rom. xiv. 10, 11, Phil. ii. 10.
(4th.) To require an account of things during his absence ; what his servants have done with their talents. Mat. xxv. ; what his church have done with his ordinances ; how things have been carried during his absence in his house : 1 Tim. vi. 14, .' Keep this commandment without rebuke, unto the appearing of Jesus Christ ; ' whether men have carried themselves well, or beaten their fellow-servants, and eaten and drunk with the drunkard ; whether they have strengthened the hands
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of the wicked, oppressed with censures the most serious of his wor- shippers, what disorders in the world, what violation of the law of nature, 2 Thes. i. 8.
Secondbj, The universality. AVho must be judged? ' We must all.' All mankind which ever were, are, and shall be. No age, no sex, no nation, nor dignity, nor power, nor wealth, nor greatness, can excuse us. In the world some are too high to be questioned, others too low to be taken notice of ; but there all are taken notice of by head and poll ; not one of the godly shall be lost, but will meet in that general assembly. Nor shall any of the wicked shift the day of his appearance ; as we may obey in every state and sin in every state, so in every state we must give an account. All that have lived from the beginning of the world till that day shall without exception appear, from the least to the greatest, before the tribunal of Christ.
This will be illustrated by considering the several distinctions of mankind: —