John 5:27

To confirme the former reasons, and because they might be ready to stumble at what Christ said of himselfe, when they looked on him in his humane nature; Therefore he declareth that not only as God, he hath a fountain of life, equally with the Father, but that he hath authority given him from the Father, to execute, or do judgement, even because he is the Sonne of man. By executing or doing of judgement, of which, ver 22. we are to understand a dominion and government over all things, and particularly, the power of life and death, to condemne or absolve, which will be especially verified in the judgement of the last day, of which he speaketh, ver. 28, 29. And Christ saith authority is given him to do this because he is the Sonne of man, or, as he is the Sonne of man. Whereby we are not to understand his humane nature simple considered, but his office, and his humane nature as united in one person with the Godhead; That because he is God-man, the Mediatour of sinners, and took on our nature for that end, therefore he hath all power committed to him as Mediatour, for the good of the Church; the exercise whereof he fully entered upon, after his resurrection, Matth. 28.18. Rom. 14.9. Rev. 1.18. Philip. 2.8, 9, 10, 11. And, that in his humane nature, though he be not advanced to the participation of divine properties, yet he is advanced to that Lordship over all the creatures that he is capable of, Rom. 14.9. Phil 2.9, 10 and gifted with that dignity and authority to be in the unity of person, one with him, who is sovereigne Lord over all; And he is the visible actor and Judge in these administrations, which could be done by none but him who is God also, and particularly, in the last day, wherein he shall be Judge in visible shape, Act. 10.42. and 17.31. according to the prophecy of him under the same name, Dan. 7.13. Doctrine, 1. The eternal Sonne of God, equal with the Father, did in the fulnesse of time, become true man in one person with his God-head; for, the Sonne of God, ver. 25. is also the Sonne of man. 2. Mans nature is highly exalted in our head Christ; his humane nature being not only advanced to that dignity above all creatures, that it can be capable of, in it selfe; but being in the unity of person, the same with him who is Lord over all, and the visible actor of the works of the Godhead, for, the Sonne of man hath authority given him, &c. 3. As Christ hath from the Father a native dominion, as God, by eternal generation; so he hath also a donative Kingdome, as Mediatour, God-man, for the good of his Church; whereby he not only ruleth over his Church, but hath all power in heaven and earth, and all things in his hand, which may either hinder or promote her happinesse; for, the Father hath given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Sonne of man. And this is to be looked on as better and surer in Christs hand, who is our head, then in our own. 4. The redemption of lost sinners is so acceptable to the Father, that he will not only accept a ransome, but will honour the Redeemer, and conferre dignity upon him, for effectuating that work; for, because he is the Sonne of man, and Mediatour, the Father hath given him authority to execute judgement. See Philip. 2.8, 9, 10. Joh. 10.17. 5. Christ hath undertaken to work the work of redemption of sinners, and so hath engaged himselfe to carry it through; and the Father, according to his Covenant with him, hath invested him with what was requisite for perfecting that work; for, he is the Sonne of man for that end, and therefore the Father hath given him authority, &c. 6. Christ in the work of redemption, and administration of all things, for the elects behoofe, is the Fathers Commissioner, and cloathed with a Delegate authority for which he is accountable to the Father, for all those whom he hath given him, and all their allowances and lots, and for the administration of all things in order to them: Not a lot they meet with, but he will give an account of it, as beseeming his dominion and trust, and tending to their well-fare; for, as the Sonne of man and Mediatour, this authority is given him, as to a Delegate. 7. The dignity of Christs humane nature being united with the God-head, and his dignity as Mediatour, as it shines in many particular acts and administrations, so particularly, in that he will be the visible Judge of quick and dead, in his humane nature, at the last day; wherein Christ, despised in the world, because of his outward basenesse, will be glorious; and contemners of his offer of mercy, will finde his Lambs face terrible; And wherein beleevers will finde their Advocate, their Judge; for, his executing of judgement, because he is the Sonne of man, doth point at this ultimately.