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in different ways by men of profound erudition. Some view it in a proper and literal sense; in support of which they assign the following reasons. 1. We ought not to depart from the literal meaning without necessity. 2. The noise of a trumpet sounding "exceeding "loud" was heard at the promulgation of the law. Why may we not suppose that the same circumstance is to take place, when judgment is to be passed according to the law? 3. The sound of the trumpet, agreeably to the Divine command, was heard at the destruction of Jericho.d From this it is inferred as not improbable, that the same thing will happen, when the Jericho of this world shall be overthrown. Others are inclined to consider the expression metaphorical; while, however, they expound the figure variously. Some understand it of thunders, such as those heard when God speaks in the audience of a multitude; others, of an articulate voice to be formed by Angels in the air, resembling that which we have in the parable of the virgins; "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to "meet him."f

To us it appears most simple and most consonant to the style of holy writ, to understand this expression of the command of Christ, which will be most efficacious, pervading all, and displaying its energy in all. In the book of Revelation, a manifestation of the Divine attributes in works of judgment, to which men are obliged to attend with astonishment, is designated by the sound of a trumpet. Now the command of Christ is compared to a trumpet: 1. Because, as the sound of a trumpet, when blown by a powerful breath, is re

Exod. xix. 16.

• Exod. xix. 16. John xii. 29.

d Josh. vi. 5.

f Mat. xxv. 6.

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markably loud, so this command of our Lord will exert its efficacy far and wide, penetrating not merely through the whole extent of the world, but even to the receptacles of the dead, and the most inaccessible caverns of the grave. Hence, too, it is termed " the sound of a great trumpet." 2. Because the whole assembly of Israel were accustomed to be called together by a trumpet ; and all the inhabitants of the earth shall then be summoned. 3. Festival days also were proclaimed by a trumpet ; and this will be an exceedingly joyful festival to the whole Church.

XVI. Thirdly, This glory of Christ will also include a numerous train of Angels. Accordingly, Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, " Behold "the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints;"i and Paul speaks of the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven" with his mighty Angels." That this illustrious retinue which shall surround our Lord, consisting of so many attendants of the heavenly court, will signally contribute to his glory, who can doubt ? Our Lord himself, at least, would have us to think so. "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and "all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon "the throne of his glory."k "The Son of man shall

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come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels."1

XVII. But they will also perform other services to Christ. 1st, In gathering together those that are to be judged. "He shall send his angels with a great "sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together

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"his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven "to the other." Hence "the coming of our Lord "Jesus Christ," and "our gathering together unto him," which is to be effected by the ministry of angels," are joined together. 2dly, In making a separation betwixt them when assembled." So shall it be at the "end of the world; the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just."

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3dly, In casting down the ungodly to the place of punishment. "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, " and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them into "a furnace of fire." 4thly, In conveying the godly to heaven. "We, who are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet "the Lord in the air; and so shall we be ever with "the Lord." That the bringing of the godly to the welcome tribunal of Christ in order to be judged, and to heaven after the judgment is over, is to be done by the ministry of angels, we collect from this consideration, that angels convey the souls of the godly to heaven, when separated from their bodies by death. Why may we not conclude, that they perform a similar office towards their entire persons?

XVIII. It deserves inquiry, whether holy men shall be assessors with Christ in this final judgment. Many are of opinion that they shall be so, because Paul has the following expressions: "Do ye not know that the "saints shall judge the world? Know ye not that we "shall judge Angels?"

m Mat. xxiv. 31.

• 2 Thes. ii. 1.

9 Mat. xiii. 41, 42.
'Luke xvi. 22.

But we may be allowed to

n Mark xiii. 27.

P Mat. xiii. 49.
r1 Thes. iv. 17.

* 1 Cor. vi. 2, 3.

question the justness of the conclusion deduced from these words. I am far from wishing to have any controversy with those who affirm, that the saints shall judge the world, in a certain improper sense of the expression. It may be admitted, that they shall judge the world, 1. In Christ their Head; to whom they are united by the spirit and by faith; and whose glory is communicated, as far as possible, to the members." 2. By their approbation of Christ's sentence. 3. By the example of their virtues ;-in which way even the less guilty are to condemn such as are more wicked than themselves. 4. By their own justification; for the acquittal of the pious will be the condemnation of the ungodly. The Scriptures, nevertheless, represent the saints, rather as persons whom Christ is to judge, than as his assessors in the judgment, or subordinate judges. It is often promised that they shall reign with Christ, but nowhere that they shall judge with him in the day of judgment.

XIX. It is not necessary to expound the passage just quoted from Paul, as referring to the last day, or the world to come. The saints judged the world, when Christians were appointed magistrates and judges during the reign of Constantine the Great, and in subsequent times. Since, at the period of the Apostle's writing, this honour was reserved for the saints, it was unworthy of them to contend about frivolous matters before unbelievers. The Apostle, too, might speak of this future judging of the saints as well known, because Daniel had prophesied long before, that after the destruction of the four empires which oppressed the

" Comp. Ephes. ii. 6.

▾ Rev. xix. 1, 2.

Rev. ii. 26, 27.

w Mat. xii. 41, 42.

* Heb. xi. 7.

Church and the world by their grievous tyranny," the "judgment shall sit, and the dominion which is taken

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away from the last of the kings, with the greatness "of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High." At what time this prediction may have been fulfilled, or is yet to be fulfilled, it is of no consequence to our present purpose to determine. It may suffice to observe, that a time is specified, in which the saints, under Christ their king and leader, are, in this world and under heaven, to judge, and to possess an extensive dominion. And most probably, the Apostle, when he wrote the passage in question, referred to this prophecy of Daniel.

But the saints judge Angels also. This they do, 1. When they demonstrate that those whom the nations had hitherto served, are neither Gods, nor good Angels; but malignant spirits, or mischievous demons. 2. When, by their testimony, and their blood, they overcome them, and restrain their power. 3. When, by their prayers, they expel them from the bodies of those whom they possessed. That this miracle continued in the Church long after the age of the Apostles, we have shown elsewhere.*

a

xx. But is not the dignity of being assessors with Christ in the last judgment to be attributed at least to the Apostles; since our Lord himself says,-" In the "regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the "throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, "judging the twelve tribes of Israel?"

* See Dissert. xi. sect. 36. T.

y Dan. vii. 26, 27.

a Mark ix. 29. xvi. 17.

But even

3 Rev. xii. 10, 11.

Mat. xix. 28.

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