VeR. 7.] SERMONS UPON 2 THESSALONIANS I. 237
the butler forgat Joseph when he was at court, it were another matter. No; though our high priest be passed into the heavens, yet he is touched with a feeling of our infirmities, Heb. iv. 15. He will not always leave us liable to sinning and suffering. He is our life now, and therefore shall appear, and we with him in glory, Col. iii. 4.
[6.] Consider how much Christ's interest is concerned in it.
(1.) Partly that the glory of his person may be seen and fully discovered. His first coming was obscure, and without observation, for then he came in the form of a servant ; but now he cometh as the lord and heir of all things, in power and great glory. Then he had for his forerunner John the Baptist, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Mat. iii. ; but now he hath for his forerunner an archangel, by whose voice, as the trump of God, the dead shall rise out of their graves. Then he came with twelve disciples, a few poor fishermen, men of small condition in the world ; now with legions of angels, avv fivpiaaiv ayiais, Jude 14. At the first coming, he acted the part of a minister of the circumcision, preaching the gospel to the people of Israel only ; now he cometh as the judge of all the world. Then he invited men to repentance, and offered remission of sins to all those who would own him as their Redeemer ; now he cuts off all hope of pardon for ever from them who refused or despised his grace. Then he offered himself as a mediator between God and man, to God as an high priest, to us as an apostle, Heb. iii. 1 ; but now he cometh as a judge and avenger. Then he veiled his divine nature under the infirmities of his flesh, and did but sparingly emit the rays of his majesty ; now he shall appear in the glory of his Father. Then he wrought some mir- acles, which his enemies imputed to diabolical arts and magical impos- tures ; now there will be no need of miracles to assert the divinity of his person, for all things are obvious and liable to sense. Heretofore he raised a few to life, now all the dead. Then he prepared himself to suffer death, now he shall tread death under his feet. Then he stood before the tribunals of men, that he might be condemned to the igno- minious death of the cross ; now he shall sit upon a glorious throne, all kings and potentates expecting their final doom and sentence from his mouth. Then he came not to judge, but to save ; now to render to every one according to his works. Then he was scorned, buffeted, spit upon ; now crowned with glory and honour. Then he came to bear the sins of many, now he appeareth without sin unto the salvation of those that look for him, Heb. ix. 28. Not bearing our burden, but bringing our discharge ; not as a surety, but a paymaster ; not as a sufferer, but as a conqueror, triumphing over death, hell, and the devil. Finally, he cometh, no more to go from us, but to take us from all misery to himself, and that for ever.
(2.) That he may possess what he hath purchased. He bought us at a dear rate, even with the price of his blood, 1 Peter i. 18, 19. And would he be at all this cost and preparation for nothing ? Surely he that came to suffer will come to triumph ; and he that hath bought will possess. He loved his people unto death, and they loved him above their lives. For his people's sake he sanctified himself to his office ; for their sakes he came at first, and for their sakes he will return : John xiv. 3, ' I go to prepare a place for you ; and I will
238 SERMONS UPON 2 THESSALONIANS I. [SeR. V.
come again and receive you to myself.' When he hath gotten them together into one body and great congregation, he will solemnly pre- sent them to God, as a prey snatched out of the teeth of lions : Heb. ii. 13, ' Behold, I and the children which thou hast given me/ And. then will introduce them into those everlasting habitations, where they may be for ever with himself.
(3.) With respect to the wicked, it is a part of his office to triumph over them in their final overthrow. God bringeth them down now by pieces, but then altogether. He got himself a glorious name when he triumphed over Pharaoh and his host, but that was but one enemy, and that only in the sight of Israel. Now all his enemies are put under his feet, in the sight of all the world : Isa. xlv. 23, ' Unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess ; ' Kom. xiv. 10, 11, ' We shall all stand at the judgment-seat of Christ ; for it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,' &c. ; with Phil. ii. 10, ' At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,' &c. He will make all those that have set light by him to see all his glory. The carnal now slight the merit and value of his sacrifice : Heb. x. 29, ' Of how much sorer punishment shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the cove- nant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing ? ' kolvov. They neglect his grace : John iii. 19, ' This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light.' Refuse his counsels and invitations, Prov. i. 23, and Mat. xxi. 15; Cast off his government, Luke xix. 14 ; but then they shall see him in all his royalty.