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ruins of it; to the final confusion and destruction of that great ringleader in rebellion against the Lord.-The Messiah as the head of this kingdom was foretold in the law of Moses, and the prophets, who "spake of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow." 1 Peter i. 10-12. This was the stone seen in vision by Nebuchadnezzar; which was "cut out of the mountain without hands," and having destroyed all opposition, "became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth." Dan. ii. 31-48.

In the fulness of time the promised Saviour appears; and his messenger goes before him, proclaiming as a herald, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."-Now the ancient prophecies are fulfilled: "The blind receive their sight, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised." "Behold

a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." He leads a lowly and suffering life; he goes about doing good: his most beneficent doctrine is confirmed by benign miracles of the most stupendous nature: all his words and works are stamped with divine wisdom, holiness, love, and power. Yet is he "despised and rejected of men." He dies a spotless sacrifice upon the cross; numbered with malefactors, and treated with extreme contempt, malice and cruelty. He rises from the dead a glorious conqueror, "ascends up on high, leading captivity captive, and receiving gifts for men; yea for the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell among them.” Psal. lxviii. 18. Now "he receives to himself a kingdom," "all power in heaven and earth is given to him :" "angels, principalities, and powers are made subject to him, and he is made head over all things to his church!" His apostles having received the promise of the Spirit from on high, go forth every where preaching the gospel, and declaring that "the same Jesus, whom the Jews had crucified, is exalted to be a prince and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel, and remission of sins :" "That there is no salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given unto men, whereby we must be saved;" while the miraculous powers they exercise and communicate, confirm their testimony, and command attention. Their formidable persecutors are confounded, thousands and tens of thousands embrace the religion of the crucified Jesus; till Jewish infidelity, and pagan idolatry, and all the power and policy with which they are supported, fall down before it, as the image in Nebuchadnezzar's vision, before the stone cut out of the mountain without hands.

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In this manner Jehovah attested the despised Jesus to be his well-beloved Son; thus as it were, addressing the Jews, Ye have crucified the Lord of glory, because he said, I am the Son of God; but behold I have raised him from the dead! I have exalted him at my right hand in heavenly places.' "I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion," according to my ancient predictions. Now the whole earth shall be his inheritance, whatever obstacles or enemies may oppose him. I have undertaken, and I will accomplish it all men shall either bow to the sceptre of his grace, and become his willing subjects and redeemed people; or they shall be crushed as obstinate rebels under his feet. This is the determination of the Lord of Hosts.”

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A mistaken idea of Christianity seems in this respect to be very preva.. lent. Numbers imagine, that it may be very well to believe the gospel, but that there is no necessity of so doing; as others may be safe and happy upon their own plans. But the Scripture uses a very different language; Christianity is there considered as the only true religion, and faith in Christ the only way of being saved. This is no unessential matter, in which men may safely embrace opposite opinions: every man who reverences the Bible as the word of God, must own, that no unbeliever can escape final condemnation for the Lord himself hath repeatedly attested it; and "he that believeth not hath made him a liar." Let it also be observed, that the great object of our faith is likewise constituted our Judge: and it is never intimated, that in the decisive hour, he will make any exception in favour of the mighty monarch, the renowned warrior, the busy politician or tradesman, the learned sceptic, or the indolent and inconsiderate trifler. "He that

believeth not shall be damned." One distinction will then swallow up all others: the faithful disciple will sit down with him upon his throne; and all unbelievers will be punished with an everlasting destruction from his presence.

The kingdom of Christ is administered by him in the character of a Mediator. As soon as sin entered into the world, the Lord made known his purpose of dealing with men, through the intervention of a Peace-maker: in whose person as Emmanuel, and through whose obedience unto the death of the cross, he might honourably shew mercy to the transgressors of his holy law. So that they who oppose his kingdom, not only rebel against the authority of God, but despise the riches of his everlasting mercy. To effect our reconciliation to our offended Creator, the eternal Son of God was made partaker of flesh and blood; and having "suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God;" he is now ascended into the heavens, as our merciful and faithful High-priest and Advocate. "The government is upon his shoulders," that he might be "able to save to the uttermost all those that come to God through him." Angels, principalities and powers obey and adore him. "He has the keys of death and hell;" he is King of kings, and Lord of lords." The kingdom of nature and providence is administered by him as our brother and friend: "all judgment is committed to him;""all the fulness of the Godhead dwells in him bodily." He is the head of all things to his church, the "fulness of him that filleth all in all."

How astonishing is this language! how stupendous his grace; who from this height of personal and mediatorial dignity and pre-eminence, looks down in compassion on us sinful worms, and seems only to glory in his power, as it enables him to enrich and bless our guilty souls! He reigns upon a mercy-seat, dispensing pardons and gifts to rebellious men: pardons and gifts, which he purchased for them with his own blood! He proclaims his immeasurable love in the blessed gospel; he sends his Holy Spirit to glorify him in our hearts, receiving of those things which belong to him, and shewing them to us, in all their suitableness and inestimable value. He invites all that will, to come and take of these blessings freely; he casts out none that come and he confers all things pertaining to life and godliness on every waiting soul.

With the highest propriety, therefore, angels celebrated the Redeemer's birth in that expressive song of praise, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men;" for "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." Yet if" men refuse him that speaketh;" if they "despise his counsel, and will none of his reproof;" he will most certainly glorify his power in their destruction. "God hath given him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow ;-and that every tongue should confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This agrees with the solemn declaration quoted by the apostle," ' as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Isaiah xlv. 21-25. Rom. xiv. 11. Phil. ii. 10, 11.

Let it be likewise observed, that "the yoke of Christ is easy, and his burden light." Not only are all his subjects made heirs of heaven; they have also the promise of the life that now is;" the full assurance that no good thing shall be withholden from them, and they shall receive an hundred fold even in this present time, for all the losses they sustain from love to Christ and the gospel.

II. Then let us notice the exhortation of the text: "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the way:" that is, submit and be reconciled to him, before the day of vengeance overtake you.'

This implies, in the first place, submission to the righteousness of God, and a humble acceptance of mercy in his appointed way. We cannot come

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to the Saviour, except in the character of lost sinners. We are therefore required to humble ourselves before God, and to allow the justice of his awful sentence and we must not in any measure excuse our crimes, or expect deliverance from wrath, and the gift of eternal life, as in any degree our due. The Scripture no where warrants a sinner to come in this spirit, or to advance such a plea. "Wilt thou," says Jehovah," condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?" Job xl. 8. This was precisely the case of the ancient Jews; 66 they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Rom. x. 3, 4.

There are two principal reasons of men's rejecting the gospel. In general they hate religion, and desire to live without restraint. They take pleasure in worldly objects: and if not compelled by their circumstances to labour, or engaged in covetous or ambitious pursuits; they love to spend their time and money in gratifying their own humour and inclinations: but submission to Christ is absolutely contrary to such a course of life. When, however, this seems to be in a measure got over; and men take a nearer view of Christianity; they are greatly offended at its humiliating doctrines. To come before God as dependent creatures might be tolerable: but to approach him as justly condemned criminals, is too great a degradation to be endured; especially when connected with self-denial and renunciation of their darling pursuits. A method of salvation, which paid more respect to their wisdom, learning, or other distinctions, and especially to their virtue and goodness of heart, would meet with a better reception. To speculate and decide as philosophers, to perform duties by their native energies and good dispositions, and to demand a reward of their distinguished piety and charity, would better suit their feelings; than to be saved by grace alone; to sit as little children at the feet of Jesus, to give the Lord the glory of every good desire, thought, word, and action; to rely on the all-sufficient merits and atoning blood of the Saviour, and to receive eternal life as the gift of God in him. Yet the text, compared with the general tenor of Scripture, requires this unreserved submission of sinners to divine justice, and reliance on free mercy and grace, as essential to salvation.

But it also demands from us implicit obedience to the Saviour, as the anointed king over his redeemed people, and over all worlds for their advantage. "Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the way." When Samuel anointed Saul king over Israel, he testified his cheerful and cordial acquiescence in the Lord's appointment, by the kiss of allegiance. In like manner, we are not only required to welcome the salvation of Christ with unfeigned gratitude, and to express our love by obedience in some particulars; reserving to ourselves a choice, because we are children, not slaves : but we are called upon to submit to his authority, and yield obedience in all things; and if our repentance, faith, and love, be sincere, we shall cordially render it, only lamenting the imperfection of our most upright and self-denying services. Our past sins will appear to us, as acts of rebellion against our Sovereign and bounteous Creator; present failures will be considered as additional provocations, which need forgiveness through the atoning blood; and our obedience, as the only undeniable evidence of our repentance and conversion. We shall regard every interest or obedience which would draw us aside, as an idol and usurper; every contrary propensity as the remains of our old bondage; and the path of duty as true liberty, the perfection of which we shall long after with groans and tears.

But further, the text commands us, to honour the Son even as we honour the Father that sent him." 1 John v. 23. Thus the worshippers of Baal kissed his image, and the idolatrous votaries of the golden calves used the same ceremony. 1 Kings xix. 18. Hos. xiii. 2. Jehovah therefore seems to say in the words of the text, I demand for my beloved Son that very adoration, which I prohibited and abhorred when offered unto idols.' When

our Lord had said, "I and my Father are One," the Jews accused him of making himself equal with God; and their renewed attempt to stone him, together with the immediate cause of his condemnation to the cross, proves that he neither denied nor evaded the charge. On this point, he and the Jews were at issue; for this supposed crime he suffered and died: but "he was declared to be the Son of God with power by his resurrection from the dead." And he who carefully examines the account given of the worship rendered to the Lamb that was slain," by redeemed sinners, an innumerable multitude of angels, and all creatures, as made known in vision to the apostle, will not be able to mark any difference between it, and the adoration paid to "Him who sitteth on the throne, and liveth for ever and ever." Rev. v. 6. It cannot therefore be wonderful, if the disciples of Christ on earth, should be required to learn the worship of heaven, as a part of their "meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light.”—But it is time for us to proceed to the remaining part of the subject, and,

III. Make some remarks, on the warning and encouragement, which close the psalm: "If his wrath be kindled, yea but a little; blessed are all they that put their trust in him."

What is this but a declaration, that if you refuse the salvation of Christ, reject his authority, and deny him the honour due to him, his love will be turned into fiery indignation, and he will glorify his name in taking vengeance on his despisers, as well as in saving and blessing his humble disciples?'—With allusion to the day of judgment, it is said, "The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains: and said to the mountains and rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand." Rev. vi. 15-17. Observe the words, "the wrath of the Lamb," the wrath, not only of an offended King and Judge, but also of a despised Saviour. This will enhance the guilt and condemnation of those who neglect the gospel, and render their condemnation more intolerable than that of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Our attention should likewise be peculiarly fixed on the expression, "If his wrath be kindled, yea but a little,”—that is, should you be found among the more plausible and moderate of those, who refuse submission to the Saviour; among those who have least provoked his indignation; your doom will yet be very tremendous.' This comes home to the case of multitudes. Many persons readily express their abhorrence of the blasphemies, atheism, and other enormous crimes, which, alas, have been perpetrated in a neighbouring nation; and with a latent self-flattery, they rise in their own good opinion, by comparing their conduct with that of such daring enemies to God and his Christ. Others exclaim against those that deny our Lord's divinity, or his atonement; and they seem to feel much inward satisfaction in opposing these dangerous heresies; while some congratulate themselves, that they never scoff at religion, but always speak respectfully of its sacred truths and duties. Thus in various ways men keep up a persuasion that they are Christians: yet if we insist upon unreserved submission to Christ, according to that view of it which hath been stated, they would perhaps acknowledge, they had not gone so far in religion. If they have not been avowed opponents, they have in a great measure endeavoured to maintain a neutrality; but such persons should recollect that Christ hath said, "He that is not with me is against me;" so that all will be considered as enemies, who are not his cordial friends and loyal subjects. Indeed this is a general cause of men's destruction: they compare themselves with some other characters, fancy themselves better than they, quiet their consciences, and go on in the ways of sin and ungodliness.

But what consolation will it be in the day of wrath, should your condem❤

nation be one degree less heavy than that of your neighbours? Should you approach as near to Christianity, as a man can possibly do, who is not a true disciple of Christ, what would it avail you? Suppose you hesitate, from love to some lawful earthly comfort, which you prefer to Christ, and refuse to part with for his sake: will not that very circumstance render your feelings most exquisitely poignant, when the doom shall be pronounced against you? This cannot be too closely brought home to conscience: for it was a prevailing delusion even at the time when our Lord was on earth. Know, therefore, whether thou art a Judas, betraying Christ for sordid lucre, under the mask of a disciple or a minister; a Pilate, "washing thine hands," by giving up his cause from fear of man, and then pretending to excuse it;-a Herod, that openly insultest him ;-a Gallio, that carest for none of these things;-or a Felix, who tremblest and stiflest thy convictions. Whether thou join the multitude that cry, "Crucify him, crucify him; not this man but Barabbas;" or with Agrippa, art "almost persuaded to be a Christian;" or departest sorrowful, because thou hast great possessions:" which of these characters soever belong to thee, know assuredly that thou wilt perish from the right way, unless thou repent, and become a believing and obedient subject of the Lord Jesus. And what will it avail thee, that numbers will be associated in the same condemnation, or even perish in a still more tremendous manner?

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But is not this harsh and uncharitable? Hear the words of Christ himself." Except a man deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me, he cannot be my disciple." "Except he forsake all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." Does charity consist in contradicting "the true and faithful Witness," or "in speaking peace, when there is no peace?" The case is the same as it was of old.-Some daringly blaspheme, and openly reject the Son of God: others use respectful language; but their actions shew, that they value the pleasures of sin, the friendship of the world, the pride of life, filthly lucre, or the praise of men, more than him and his salvation. But all such persons virtually declare, that they did right, who, actuated by various worldly motives, concurred in nailing him to the cross. None who lived at that time, and might have heard his doctrine, or witnessed his miracles, were wholly free from the guilt of his death, except the remnant of his true disciples: and none at present are wholly free from the charge of crucifying the Son of God afresh, who persist in neglecting his great salvation.

"Blessed then are all they that put their trust in him." They are blessed in their present security and privileges; and they shall be blessed in their eternal inheritance. To you, my brethren, who thus cordially welcome the Saviour, and submit to the king of Zion, with unreserved obedience and fidelity, though with many lamented imperfections; to you belong peace with God, peace of conscience, the adoption of children, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit. It is your privilege to "rejoice in hope, to be patient in tribulations;" to find support in trials, safety in all dangers, victory over every enemy, and a rich advantage from all losses and sufferings. Whether you be rich and prosperous, or poor and afflicted; whatever your station or circumstances may be, you are blessed; for God himself hath pronounced you so you shall be blessed through life, and in death; and when the Redeemer shall appear to judge the world. Lift up then your heads, for your redemption draweth near; and when others shall cry to the rocks to fall on them, and hide them from the wrath of the Lamb; you shall exclaim with triumphant exultation; "This is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord,-we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

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