60 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. XIV.
the world, as the Father's deputy, then he shall give up the kingdom to God, even the Father, 1 Cor. xv. 25. So that the riglit Olii-ist hatli as mediator is not merely by creation, nor his essential kingdom common to the Father ; but a derivative, subordinate right as mediator, by virtue of his purchase, as he died, rose again, and revived.
(4thhj.) This power which belongs to Christ as mediator, is given to him upon these accounts. Partly as a recompense of his hum- iliation ; but chiefly, because it belongs to the fulness of his mediatory office ; it is the last act. Tlie kingdom of the mediator is subordinate to the kingdom of God. Now he being appointed by the Father, the last act of his kingly office was to judge the world. This mediator was not only to pay a price to divine justice, not only to separate the redeemed from the world by converting them to God, but he is also to judge devils, and those enemies of his that would not submit to his mediatory kingdom, to judge those enemies out of whose hands he is to free the church. While the world lasts, he is to fight against our enemies, but then to judge them, and cast them into eternal torments, and so to deliver up the kingdom to the Father, 1 Cor. xv, 24. His office is not full till he hath executed and judged all his enemies.
Second! I/. In what nature doth he act and exercise the judgment, either as God, or man, or both ? I answer, In both, Christ is the person, not the Father nor the Spirit, and Christ acts it as God-man ; the judgment is acted visibly by him in the human nature, seated upon a visible throne, that he may be seen of all and heard of all ; therefore Christ is so often, with respect to the judgment, called the Son of man, Mat. xvi. 27, Acts xvii. 31, Mat. xxvi. 64, John v. 27. The judgment must be visible, therefore the judge must be so; and that the world may see him with these eyes, that we may see our Redeemer come in the last day, and see him to our comfort, he that is withdrawn into the curtain of the heavens, he that is gone about his ministration before God, must come out and bless the people ; and therefore, that he may be seen and heard of all, though the divine power be mightily seen, yet he is to act it in the human nature.
Use of all. (1.) This speaks terror to the wicked. (2.) Comfort to the godly,
1. Terror to the wicked. Here let us see —
[1.] Who are those wicked ones, to whom this terror belongeth,
[2.] What is it that maketh it so terrible to them, and will breed horror and trembling in their hearts, if they repent not.
(1.) All those that have opposed his kingdom in the w^orld: Luke xix, 27, ' Those mine enemies, that would not that I should reign over them, bring them forth, and slay them before me.' These oppose the great design of the gospel, wliich is to set up the Lord Jesus as king.
(2.) All that set light by his person in the day of his grace : and though they do not oppose his government, yet refuse it : Ps. Ixxxi. 11, ' My people would not hearken to my voice, and Israel would none of me.'
(3.) All that despise his benefits, and neglect to seek after them : Heb. ii, 3, ' How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation ? ' Christ's benefits are God's favour and image. To have low thoughts of these is to have low thoughts of the blood of Christ : 1 Peter i, 18, ' Ye were
VeR. 10] SERMONS UFON 2 CORINTHIANS V. 61
not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers ; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; ' and Heb. x. 29, ' Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace ? '
(4.) All that abuse his grace, and turn it to wantonness : Jude 4, ' For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ/ Those that grow less humble, less holy, less careful, upon the account of grace.
(5.) All that break his commandments : John xv. 10, ' If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.' Others are reckoned for enemies : Col. i. 21, ' Enemies in your mind by wicked works;' and Ps. Ixviii. 21, ' God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses.'
(6.) Those that question the truth of his promises : 2 Peter iii. 3, 4, ' Knowing this, first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts ; and saying, Where is the promise of his coming?' And they shall know the truth of them to their bitter cost ; that. Christ will come, and come as judge.