John 5:22

A second instance of this equality, (which is also a proof of the Sonnes absolute power and Sovereignty, in quickning the dead, whom he will, verse 21.) is, the judging of all things, communicate to him from the Father, who judges none without him, but by him. By judgement, we are to understand, an absolute dominion and soverignty over men, and all the creatures. In the first part of the verse indeed, it is restricted to men, and holds out Gods dominion and divine authority in absolving or condemning them, in adjudging them to live or die, as a confirmation of what was said, verse 21. But in the second part of the verse it is to be taken more largely, for the government and administration of all things in heaven and earth; and so it is a confirmation of the former part, importing, that the Father doth not any particular act of government without the Sonne, because he hath committed the administration of all acts of government to the Sonne, by whom, as God, he executeth them; beside that he hath given to him dominion over all things as Mediatour, for the Churches behoof, of which elsewhere, Matth. 11.27 and 28.18. And while he saith, the Father judgeth no man, it is spoken according to the Jewes conception, who did separate him from the Father, and the meaning is not, that the Father hath so given up the government of all to the Sonne, as to divest himself of it, for that is contrary to verse 17, 19, 20, 21. and multitudes of Scriptures: But that he doth not judge any alone, or separate from the Sonne, but in and by him; and so the Sonne also doth not judge his alone, verse 30. for the Father doth so communicate all to the Son, as yet he hath all. Doctrine 1. There is a dominion and sovereignty exercised in the world, and over men and all creatures therein, whereby they are not left to their own arbitriments, or to uncertain contingencie, but are under the government of a supreme providence; for, so is imported, that there is a judging of men, and all judgement. 2. It is the prerogative of God onely to be sovereigne Judge and Governour of the world, who having created men and all things, may dispose of them at his pleasure; who is every where present in heaven and earth to governe all things; whose omniscience taketh up all things, even the secrets of hearts; whose providence extendeth to all; and, whose power is infinite, to execute the pleasure of his will; for, so is here held out, as a proof of Christs equality with the Father, that he hath all judgement from the Father. 3. Christ, as God, hath the government of the world communicated to him from the Father; he hath power of life and death, of absolution and condemnation, and the administration of all things in his hand: So that we are to look on nothing in the world, as done by the Father alone, or separate from the Sonne; but that all is done by him, who is also the Churches Head, for, so much are we taught, in that the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed, (or, given) all judgement to the Sonne, as is before explained. Which giving, on the Fathers part, and receiving by Christ, is not out of his indigencie, or to supply his defects (which is an imperfection, Acts 20, 35.) but it is given and received by communication and participation of the same essence.