§ 8. Yet more, we shall be so far from the dread of that judgment, that ourselves shall become the judges. Christ will take his people, as it were, into commission with himself, and they shall sit and approve his righteous judgment. _Do ye not know that the saints will judge the world?_ Nay, _know ye not that we shall judge angels_?[101] Were it not for the word of Christ that speaks it, this advancement would seem incredible and the language arrogant. _Even Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of this, saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him._[102] Thus shall the saints be honored, _and the upright shall have dominion in the morning_.[103] O that the careless world _were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end_![104] That they would be now of the same mind as they will be, when they shall see _the heavens pass away with a great noise, and the elements melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein, burnt up_! When all shall be on fire about their ears, and all earthly glory consumed. For _the heavens and the earth, which are now, are reserved unto fire against the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?_[105]
[Footnote 101] 1 Corinthians vi, 2, 3.
[Footnote 102] Jude 14, 15.
[Footnote 103] Psalm xlix, 14.
[Footnote 104] Deuteronomy xxxii, 29.
[Footnote 105] 2 Peter iii, 7-12.
§ 9. (4.) The last preparative to the saint's rest, is their solemn coronation, and receiving the kingdom. For, as Christ, their Head, is anointed both King and Priest; so under him are his people _made unto God_ both _kings and priests, to reign_, and to offer praises for ever.[106] The _crown of righteousness, which was laid up for them, shall by the Lord the righteous Judge be given them at that day_.[107] They have been _faithful unto death, and therefore he will give them a crown of life_.[108] And according to the improvement of _their talents_ here, so shall _their rule_ and dignity be enlarged.[109] They are not dignified with empty titles, but real dominion. Christ _will grant them to sit with him in his throne_;[110] _and will give them power over the nations, even as he received of his Father; and he will give them the morning star_.[111] The Lord himself will give them possession with these applauding expressions: _Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord_.[112]
[Footnote 106] Revelation v, 10.
[Footnote 107] 2 Timothy iv, 8.
[Footnote 108] Revelation ii, 10.
[Footnote 109] Matthew xxv, 21, 23.
[Footnote 110] Revelation iii, 21.
[Footnote 111] Revelation ii, 26-28.
[Footnote 112] Matthew xxv, 23.