558 THE cnoftly or cnrasT is GOD-MAN. John N. 2i. because he is the Son of man," that is, the titan the Messiah. I cannot think that the manhood of Christ would have been so expressly and peculiarly represented under this character and office of the final judge of the world, if the affairs of that aw- ful and solemn day, werenot committed to him, and if the cog- nizance of the hearts and actions of men, so far as to decide their eternal states justly, were not communicated to the man Jesus by his personal union with the divine nature. Surely he shall not sit upon that tribunal like a glorious or shining cypher, or make a bright inactive figure there; No, by no means : The business of the judgment must pass through his hands and his head, as Dr. Goodwin expresses it, concerning the government of the world, when he explains that text ; Mat. xxviii. 18. And when he speaks of the judgment of mankind byJesus Christi he speaks more highly and honourably of the influence that the human nature of Christ will have in it, than I dare venture to dó here. See vol. II. book M. chapter the last. And indeed.I may support the boldest language I use in any part of this dis- course concerning the most extensive powers of the man Jesus in his glorified state, by such a venerable precedent : The autho- rity of that great and excellent man will abundantly excuse and defend me among all those who have an esteem for his valuable writings. VIII. It might be added in the last place, that our blessed Saviour considered as roan; as has some unknown and most ex- tensive ways of communicating his presence, his influence and his glory to all the millions of saints in the heavenly World ;" for the heaven of each of them consists partly in " being present with Christ; 2 Cor. v. 8. and beholding his glory which the Father gave. him ;" that is, the glory of his human. natures or at least as God. man;. John xiv. 3. and xvii. 24. Now it is but a poor low, and carnal idea of the heavenly state and blessed= i ness, f we conceive the common rank of saints to have nd nearer access to Christ, and no moreparticipationof his presence, or views of his glory than merely to dwell in the same spacious regions of heaven, and to behold a man afar off raised ona high throne and arrayed in light at a great distance. Surely the im- mediate presence of the man Christ, and immediatecotmmnnion with him, shall be something more near, more intimate; and' more blissful thansuch a distant sight of him. Shall it be said, That the powers Of every glorified saint Shall be vastly enlarged, to takein the blessed prospect and en- joyment, though the object may be far off? And may it not be said also With mere reason, that the powers of our glorified Saviour shall be much more enlarged to Communicate himself and his glories to the meanest and most distant inhabitants of
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=