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who being in the form of God, and who thought it no robbery to be equal with God, humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; therefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name that is above every name," that is, power and authority over all, "that at the name of Jesus," to his omnipotence, "every knee should bow"-at his judgment seat, where “ one must give account of himself unto God."

"every

A little reflection will shew us why the awful and important work of judgment is committed to Jesus the God-man; and that this, as well as all the other dispensations of Jehovah, is marked by infinite wisdom. Is it not necessary that the judge should be a divine person? For who, possessing less than the attribute of omnipotence, can gather together all nations, and separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats? What less than omnipotence can put in execution the sentence that shall be passed upon the wicked? What knowledge inferior to omniscience, the attribute of Deity, can qualify a judge to determine, and to pass judgment, in relation to all the thoughts, words, and actions of all the inhabitants of the earth? Doubtless the judge must be that searcher of hearts, from whom nothing can be hid, and to whose eyes all things are naked and open. Is there not likewise a display of wisdom, that Jesus, as the mediator, is appointed judge of the world? Is there not a fitness that this office should be committed to Jesus, as an honorary reward for his humiliation and abasement?

Is it not right that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father? It is expressly asserted, "that all judgment is committed unto the Son, because he is the Son of man."

The consideration that Jesus the judge, is man as well as God, affords much consolation to his people. Is it not an encouragement, Christians, to consider, that he who is to be our judge is also our Mediator? who has been tempted in all points like as we have been, yet without sin? Will that Saviour, in whom his people have believed, whom they have loved, and on whom they have trusted, condemn them at last? Will that judge, who as the Saviour has loved them, and given his life to redeem them, consign them to everlasting punishment? As the judge is the believer's advocate, may they not be satisfied that his intercession will prevail, and that, according to his gracious promise, they shall not perish, but have everlasting life? On the other hand, may it not be added, that the condemnation of the wicked at the judgment seat of a Mediator will be rendered more conspicuously just? The judge is the Redeemer, whose laws they have broken, whose love they have slighted, whose grace they have rejected, and whose blood they have trodden under foot. They have refused him as their Saviour, but they will not be able to withstand him as their judge. But if Jesus, the Saviour, the Redeemer, the Mediator, condemn them, their condemnation must be just indeed.

But let us take notice of the manner of the judge's appearance. The appearance of the Saviour will be

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such as is suitable to the dignity of his person and his office. His appearance at the judgment day will not be similar to that of his first advent, when he made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant. He will not come the second time to be despised and rejected of men, to be buffeted and spit on, to be scourged and crucified. He once appeared in the likeness of sinful flesh-was numbered with transgressors, and treated as if he had been the vilest of criminals. But his appearance now will be in all his glory and majesty, as "King of kings and Lord of lords." The holy angels will attend him, to minister to him and to grace his appearance on this august occasion, together with all the saints, who shall have lived from the time of Adam to this period of his manifestation in glory. For those that sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him," and the saints who shall be alive upon the earth will be changed, and "caught up to meet the Lord in the air." Oh what a different appearance will this be to that of the former advent of the Saviour in a state of humiliation! Then he came attended with twelve poor fishermen; but now he will be accompanied with ten thousand times ten thousand of angels and saints. Then he was introduced to his mediatorial office by the voice of one crying in the wilderness; but as the judge of quick and dead, he now comes with "the voice of the archangel and the trump of God." Then was he lifted up upon the cross between two malefactors, as if unworthy of a place on the earth even to die on; but now he will

BY THE LATE

REV. HENRY GAUNTLETT,

VICAR OF OLNEY, BUCKS.

WITH

A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

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THE LAW OF TRUTH WAS IN HIS MOUTH

HE

WALKED WITH ME IN PEACE AND EQUITY, AND DID TURN MANY AWAY FROM INIQUITY."

LONDON:

R. B. SEELEY AND W. BURNSIDE, FLEET-STREET;
HATCHARD AND SON, PICCADILLY.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY MANNING AND SMITHSON,

IVY-LANE, PATERNOSTER ROW.

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