Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

able return we can for his kindness, by devoting ourselves to his service, and endeavouring to bring others to the obedience of faith.

[ocr errors]

The final step of his advancement will be, when he shall come again to judge the world, and reign over his elect for ever and ever. What he has already received is only a pledge and earnest of what he will hereafter enjoy. At a future period, fixed in the divine counsels, but known to no creature either in heaven or earth, he is to come in his own glory, and in the glory of his Father, surrounded with all the holy angels. He is then to summon the whole universe before him: all, in one vast assembly, will stand at his tribunal, and be judged by him according to their works: those that were his enemies, and would not that he should reign over them, he will cast, together with the fallen angels, into the lake of fire; but his faithful servants he will take, together with the holy angels, to dwell with him, that they may be one fold under one shepherd for evermore. His mediatorial office indeed he will then lay down, as having no more need to exercise it; and, in this sense, "he will deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, that God may be all in all." But he will not cease to reign as a king over his people; for the prophet expressly says, that "of his kingdom there shall be no end." To all eternity therefore will he be the head of the church; to all eternity the one source of their joy, the one object of their adoration. As the glorified saints and angels are already singing, so will they never cease to sing, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom and strength, and glory and honour and blessing; therefore blessing and honour, and glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."

In improving this subject, we shall find abundant matter of reproof to the ungodly, of encouragement to the humble, and of direction to all.

On the most diligent enquiry into the life and conduct of our Lord, we shall find that he omitted nothing that was necessary for the effecting of our reconciliation with God. Yet how ill is he requited by the generality of mankind! Notwithstanding he has come down from

heaven for our salvation, and accomplished the work which had been given him to do, the ungodly world will scarcely bestow a thought upon him. Instead of "exalting" him in their minds, and “extolling” him with their lips, and setting him "very high" in their affections, they regard him little more, than if all that is related of him were a mere fable. Every earthly vanity can fix their attention, and engage their favour; but he, whose condescension and grace have filled all heaven with wonder, can attract no notice. What base ingratitude is this on the part of man! What is it but practically to deny the Redeemer's excellency, and to frustrate, as far as in us lies, the purposes of God respecting him? It is, in fact, to say that, whatever reward God has decreed to give him for his services, he shall receive no part of it from us. And who amongst us has not been guilty of this conduct? Who has not passed months and years without any admiration of his love, any zeal for his honour? If he were as much forgotten by all, as he has been by the generality, his very name would be soon put out of remembrance. What more awful proof of our fallen nature can we have; what greater evidence of our apostasy from God? If God were our Father, we should love Christ; if we were true believers, he would be precious to our souls. And if God has said that, "all who forget him shall be turned into hell," shall our forgetfulness of his dear Son involve us in no danger? Is it without reason that the apostle asks, How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? Surely if we exalt him not willingly, he shall be exalted against our will; for " he will reign, till he has put every enemy under his feet." If we will not bow to the sceptre of his grace, we shall be broken in pieces with the rod of his indignation.

They who are humbly endeavouring to serve God, may, on the other hand, derive from this subject much comfort and encouragement. As Christ was, so are all his followers, servants of the most high God. Like him too, in spite of men and devils, they prosper in their work. And is there no reward prepared for them? Shall they not, like him, be exalted to thrones of glory? Shall they not be extolled by men, as the excellent of the earth; and by God, as good and faithful servants?

Shall they not be very high, even heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ? Yes; God is not ashamed to be called their God: and, as soon as they have overcome, they shall be carried by angels into Abraham's bosom, and inherit the glory prepared for them. Let the believer then look forward to the recompence of reward. Let him rest assured that the felicity which awaits him will abundantly compensate his labours and sufferings in the pursuit of it: let him be faithful unto death, and God will give him a crown of life. In the meantime, however, they who expect the wages, must be careful to execute the work assigned them. They must "deal prudently," that they may prosper, and "prosper," that they may obtain the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give them. But it is not in their own strength that they are to proceed, but in the strength of their exalted Saviour; of him, who, having endured the same trials, can sympathize with them; and, having all power in heaven and in earth committed to him, can succour them. To him then let every eye be directed; to him in whom all fulness is deposited, and our life itself is hid: and when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory.

Lastly, While the words before us prophetically declare what Christ shall receive as, the reward of his labours, they serve as a direction to every one that names the name of Christ: they virtually enjoin us to pay him the tribute which is so justly due. "What shall I render unto the Lord," was the reflection that inspired the breast of David on a review of the mercies which he had experienced. And can we call to mind what our blessed Lord has done, and is yet doing, for our salvation, and not feel the liveliest emotions of gratitude in our hearts? Are we not constrained to break forth in the language of the Psalmist, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me bless his holy name? Yes; let us abundantly utter the memory of his great goodness and sing of his praise without ceasing. It is the most reasonable, and surely the most delightful, of all duties to exalt his name, and magnify it with thanksgiving. Let VOL. II. Rr

this then be the disposition of our minds, and the practice of our lives. Let us say, "Awake up, my glory, awake, lute and harp, I myself will awake right early:" "I will sing of his righteousness all the day long;" "I will praise his name while I have my being." Then, at whatever period we shall be summoned into his immediate presence, we shall change our place, but not our employment; for the song, which we began on earth, shall be continued by us to all eternity, To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God, and the Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

CLXXXIII. THE DEPTH OF OUR SAVIOUR'S

HUMILIATION.

Isai. lii. 14, 15. As many were astonished at thee; (his visage was so marred, more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men!) So shall he sprinkle many nations.

OF all the subjects that ever engaged the attention of the human mind, there is none so important as that which the prophet is now opening: the scriptures both of the Old and New Testament are full of it: it was exhibited in the first promise that was given to man after his fall: it was continued from that period with increasing clearness in the prophecies: it was set before the eyes of men in the sacrifices that were offered: and memorials of it are yet preserved in all Christian churches in the sacra ment of the Lord's supper. Our Lord himself frequently introduced it in his discourses: it was the one topic of conversation when he talked with Moses and Elias on the mount of transfiguration. The apostles in their sermons and epistles represent it as the foundation of all their hopes. Paul found it to be such an irresistible weapon, and so mighty to destroy the strong holds of sin and satan, that he determined to know nothing among his people but Jesus Christ and him crucified. This is

[blocks in formation]

that mystery, in which are contained all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. It is so extensive a field for meditation, that, though we traverse it ever so often, we need never resume the same track: and it is such a marvellous fountain of blessedness to the soul, that, if we have ever drunk of its refreshing streams, we shall find none other so pleasant to our taste; or rather, we shall never wish to taste any other. To the consideration of this subject we are immediately led by the words before us, in which we may observe both our Lord's unparal leled humiliation, and the ends for which he submitted to it.

I. His unparalleled humilation

In order to mark this the more distinctly, we will briefly notice the different steps of it from his cradle to his grave. Notwithstanding he was the Creator of the universe, he had no fitter place for his reception than a stable, no better accommodation than a manger: nor had he long made his appearance in the world before his life was sought, and he was driven a fugitive from his native country. Till the age of thirty his occupation was that of a carpenter, at which business he worked with his reputed father. And during the four last years of his life, nothing could exceed the contempt and ignominy with which he was treated. He was called a deceiver, a gluttonous man, and a winebibber: he was said to be in league with satan himself: snd the people thought they spake well and properly concerning him, when they said, He hath a devil, and is mad: yea, they even called him Beelzebub, the prince of the devils. But, most of all, when the time of his crucifixion drew nigh, then all ranks of people seemed to vie with each other in insulting him. They arrayed him in mock majesty with a purple robe, a crown of thorns on his head, and a reed or cane in his hand for a sceptre. They spit on him, they smote him, they plucked off his beard, according to that prediction, "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face

[blocks in formation]
« ÎnapoiContinuă »