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7. The Lord Jesus is to be the final Judge of the world. Of this truth, it is unnecessary to multiply testimonies, as it is one which the scriptures have made most plain. Christ says, himself, "For the Father judgeth no man ; 'but hath committed all judgment unto the 'Son. Acts xvri. 31. "Because he hath ap'pointed a day in the which he will judge the 'world in righteousness, by that man whom he 'hath ordained; whereof he hath given assu'rance unto all men, in that he hath raised him 'from the dead."-In the 25th of Matthew, the Saviour has given us a particular account of the process of the final judgment, as it is to be conducted by himself.

In the close of the Revelation, which was evidently designed to be the conclusion of the sacred volume, the Lord Jesus gives his last testimony of his purpose to judge the world, in righteousness; and says, "Behold, I come 'quickly; and my reward is with me, to give 'every man according as his work shall be." Nothing is more evident than that it must be the work of God to judge the world. The first requisite for this great transaction is a perfect knowledge of all hearts. The state of the heart constitutes the essential part of the character of every moral being, as viewed by a holy God. Here, only, is any true obedience to the divine law. "Thou shalt love the Lord 'thy God, with all thy heart, and thy neighbour 'as thyself." A compliance with these great

precepts is to be found in the exercises of the heart. A want of love to God or our neighbour, is a plain violation of these commands. The greater part of the duties of the christian life proceed, immediately, from the affections of the heart; and the principal sins, committed against God, are from the same source. Christ has taught us that "Out of the heart proceed 'evil thoughts," with a long catalogue of the most aggravated vices: while, with the "heart man believeth unto righteousness."It is evident, as we have shown already, that it is the prerogative of God alone to search the heart. David says to his son, "The Lord 'searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the 'imaginations of the thoughts." Yet, without this knowledge, it is equally evident that no one can judge the world in righteousness.

We may percive, in another view, that a divine intelligence is necessary for the judgment of the world. We are assured that every work is to be brought into judgment, with every secret thing. What mind, but one that is infinite, can comprehend the individual characters of countless millions, with all their works? It is the Judge that is to bring every work into judgment. We have forgotten, and shall never recollect till he bring them to our remembrance, many of the events of our lives, which will then be found to be of a most important He is to see that no transaction, from the beginning to the end of time, that no idle

nature.

word, that shall have ever fallen from the lips of any one of Adam's race, shall be overlooked or forgotten. He must see that not one individual, in the countless throng gathered before him, is neglected.

The performance of the judgment must require an infinite wisdom. Every event, every instance of moral conduct, every transaction between man and God, or between man and man, is to be weighed and adjusted according to the most perfect rectitude and justice. Every sin must be viewed in connexion with all its attendant aggravations, and with every temptation or circumstance that could alleviate its guilt. The situation and circumstances of every accountable being, at all times, must be accurately weighed, in order to determine the true nature of their deserts. Every action of obedience or duty, of love to God or creatures, must be viewed in connexion with every consideration which may enhance or diminish its value. That the Judge may, not only, distinguish between the saved and the lost, but that he may render unto every one, precisely, according as his work shall be.

Infinite goodness will be necessary for the Judge of the world. He is to pronounce an acquittal upon vast numbers of our fallen race, and receive them as the blessed of the Father to the holy dwelling of God in heavenly glory. In view of the infinite guilt of all of mankind, of the little grace to be found in the best of

christians, of the amazing deficiency, negligence, unfaithfulness, and constant provocations, of the followers of Christ; nothing less than a love,a compassion, a long-suffering, great as heaven, and inexhaustible as eternity, could save the guilty, and bring the unworthy believer to the mansions of rest.

Thus, in every view of the amazing scene of the judgment to come, the proof is irresistible that the Judge must be truly divine. He must be, as we have seen, the searcher of hearts, infinite in knowledge, in wisdom, and in goodness. This Judge is the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, all these divine attributes belong to him. In whom dwells all the fulness of God. To him be glory forever; Amen.

SERMON VI.

JOHN I. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

In the beginning was the Word, &c.

We now proceed to show

IV. That the Godhead of Christ is proved from the Worship which the scriptures inform us of having been paid to him, and which they require for him. The first principle of the religion of the bible is that we are to worship God, and him only. And the true difference between this religion and every other, is, that those enjoin worship to be offered to various beings, to such as are no gods, while this directs our services to the one God, who alone is Jehovah.

In the front of Sinai's law, we have the great command, the first and most important of the decalogue, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." This commandment is intended to assure us that there is no God but the God of Israel, and that no other being is to be worshipped. The three following commandments are a sort of exposition or illustration of the first. To this purpose is the testimony of Christ. Mat. vii. "One of the scribes-asked him, 'Which is the first commandment of all? And 'Jesus answered him, The first of all the com- 'mandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our

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