And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Ver. 32. And before him shall be gathered all] Then shall Adam see all his nephews at once; none shall be excused for absence at this general assizes, none shall appear by a proxy, all shall be compelled to come in and hear their sentence; which may be, as some conceive, a long while adoing. It may be made evident (saith one) from Scripture and reason, that this day of Christ's kingly office in judging all men shall last haply longer than his private administration now (wherein he is less glorious) in governing the world. Things shall not be suddenly shuffled up at last day, as some imagine. (Mr Shepeard's Sincere Convert, p. 87.)
And he shall separate them] Before he hears their causes; which is an argument of singular skill in the Judge; it being the course of other judges to proceed, Secundum allegata et probata. accoprding to their deeds. But he shall set men's sins in order before their eyes, Psalms 50:21, with items of the particulars.