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Objection 1: It would seem that judiciary power is not to be
specially attributed to Christ. For judgment of others seems to
belong to their lord; hence it is written (Rm. 14:4): "Who
art thou that judgest another man's servant?" But, it belongs to
the entire Trinity to be Lord over creatures. Therefore judiciary
power ought not to be attributed specially to Christ.
Objection 2: Further, it is written (Dan. 7:9): "The
Ancient of days sat"; and further on (Dan. 7:10), "the
judgment sat, and the books were opened." But the Ancient of days
is understood to be the Father, because as Hilary says (De Trin.
ii): "Eternity is in the Father." Consequently, judiciary power
ought rather to be attributed to the Father than to Christ.
Objection 3: Further, it seems to belong to the same person to
judge as it does to convince. But it belongs to the Holy Ghost to
convince: for our Lord says (Jn. 16:8): "And when He is
come," i.e. the Holy Ghost, "He will convince the world of
sin, and of justice, and of judgment." Therefore judiciary power
ought to be attributed to the Holy Ghost rather than to Christ.
On the contrary, It is said of Christ (Acts 10:42): "It
is He who was appointed by God, to be judge of the living end of the
dead."
I answer that, Three things are required for passing judgment:
first, the power of coercing subjects; hence it is written (Ecclus.
7:6): "Seek not to be made a judge unless thou have strength
enough to extirpate iniquities." The second thing required is upright
zeal, so as to pass judgment not out of hatred or malice, but from
love of justice, according to Prov. 3:12: "For whom the Lord
loveth, He chasteneth: and as a father in the son He pleaseth
Himself." Thirdly, wisdom is needed, upon which judgment is
based, according to Ecclus. 10:1: "A wise judge shall judge
his people." The first two are conditions for judging; but on the
third the very rule of judgment is based, because the standard of
judgment is the law of wisdom or truth, according to which the judgment
is passed.
Now because the Son is Wisdom begotten, and Truth proceeding from
the Father, and His perfect Image, consequently, judiciary power
is properly attributed to the Son of God. Accordingly Augustine
says (De Vera Relig. xxxi): "This is that unchangeable Truth,
which is rightly styled the law of all arts, and the art of the
Almighty Craftsman. But even as we and all rational souls judge
aright of the things beneath us, so does He who alone is Truth itself
pass judgment on us, when we cling to Him. But the Father judges
Him not, for He is the Truth no less than Himself. Consequently,
whatever the Father judges, He judges through It." Further on he
concludes by saying: "Therefore the Father judges no man, but has
given all judgment to the Son."
Reply to Objection 1: This argument proves that judiciary power is
common to the entire Trinity, which is quite true: still by special
appropriation such power is attributed to the Son, as stated above.
Reply to Objection 2: As Augustine says (De Trin. vi),
eternity is attributed to the Father, because He is the Principle,
which is implied in the idea of eternity. And in the same place
Augustine says that the Son is the art of the Father. So, then,
judiciary authority is attributed to the Father, inasmuch as He is
the Principle of the Son, but the very rule of judgment is attributed
to the Son who is the art and wisdom of the Father, so that as the
Father does all things through the Son, inasmuch as the Son is His
art, so He judges all things through the Son, inasmuch as the Son
is His wisdom and truth. And this is implied by Daniel, when he
says in the first passage that "the Ancient of days sat," and when
he subsequently adds that the Son of Man "came even to the Ancient
of days, who gave Him power, and glory, and a kingdom": and
thereby we are given to understand that the authority for judging lies
with the Father, from whom the Son received the power to judge.
Reply to Objection 3: As Augustine says (Tract. xcv in
Joan.): "Christ said that the Holy Ghost shall convince the
world of sin, as if to say 'He shall pour out charity upon your
hearts.' For thus, when fear is driven away, you shall have freedom
for convincing." Consequently, then, judgment is attributed to the
Holy Ghost, not as regards the rule of judgment, but as regards
man's desire to judge others aright.
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