SERM. IV.) CHRIST EXALTED AND THE SPIRIT GIVEN.- 53 He changes their sinful natures, he makes them the chil- dren of God, and pardons all their iniquities. Nor Both his kingdom reach only, to his own church, who are his willing and joyful subjects, but it extends over the whole world the rebellious and infidel nations are under his reign and controul. His lordship not only includes all mankind but it reaches Over angels and devils, over all the regions and the inhabitants of heaven, earth and hell: " All things are put into his hands, and placed under his dominion; he is Lord of all; Mat. xxviii. 18. Acts x. -36. He doth not reign only in Sion as heretofore, and as King of the Jewish nation, but " the heathens are now made his inheritance, and the utmost ends of the earth his possession ;" Ps. ii. 8, 9. Not only bis own followers and friends are under his government, but every creature is made subject to him : " His people are his willing subjects in this day of his power, and his enemies shall be made his footstool. Angels, principalities and power are put under him as his ministering servants," for the purposes of his government over the church and . the world; Ps. cx. 1 s. Eph. i. 20. Heb. i. 4. Rev. iii. 1. And yet further ; he is not only the appointed Heir and Lord of all, but he is constituted the final Judge of the living and the dead : He who stood once at the bar of Pilate and the high-priest as . a transgressor, bath a throne* of judgment preparing for him, and the high- priest and Pilate shall be arraigned there : All the tribes of the earth shall be gathered together before him, and shall receive their eternal sentence from his mouth. .iWat. xxv. 31, 32, 34, 41. " God the Father hath ap pointed a day wherein he will:judge the world in righte ousness, by that man whom he bath ordained, and has given assurance of it to all men by raisinghim from the dead." Acts 'xvii. 31. " The Father judgeth no man, but bath committed all judgment into the hands of his Son, and hath given him authority to execute j-udgment, because he is the Son of Man." John v. 22. 27. IV. Our blessed Saviour must have a most extensive knowledge and power to execute this vast authority, and to fulfil this glorious trust. Let us first consider his extensive knowledge. He has not only the kingdoms of nature and grace com- E3
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