God had laid in Zion? They acted, as they thought, with precaution and forefight. They faid, If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him; and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and our nation. Foolish politicians! Did they preferve their city by crucifying the Son of God! The very evil they feared came upon them. Or rather, being abandoned of God to their own counfels, they brought it upon themselves. In a few years, the Romans, with whom they appeared fo defirous to keep upon good terms, destroyed their city with an unheard of destruction, and exterminated them from the land. This was an emblem of the inevitable, total, irreparable ruin, which awaits all those who perfift in rejecting the rule of MESSIAH. The nation, the individual, that will not ferve him must surely perish.

2

Ah! If finners did but know what the bonds and cords are, which they are so determined to break; if they knew that his fervice is perfect freedom; if they were aware what more dreadful bonds and chains they are riveting upon themselves, by refufing * John xi. 48.

his eafy yoke, they would throw down their arms and submit. They think, if they yield to the gospel, they must bid adieu to pleafure. But what will become of their pleafure, when the day of his forbearance being expired, he will speak to them in his wrath, and fill them with hopeless horror and dismay?

Blefs the Lord, ye favoured few, whose eyes are opened, whofe hearts are foftened, and who are become the willing people of this Saviour. Yet a little while and he will appear again, and then you also shall appear with him in glory!

SER

SERMON XXXIV.

OPPOSITION TO MESSIAH IN VAIN.

PSALM ii. 4.

He that fitteth in the heavens fhall laugh; the Lord fhall have them in derifion.

T

HE extent and efficacy of the depra

vity of mankind, cannot be fully eftimated, by the conduct of heathens destitute of divine revelation. We may fay of the gofpel, in one fenfe, what the apoftle fays of the law, It entered that fin might abound *. It afforded occafion for displaying the alienation of the heart of man from the bleffed God, in the strongest light. The sensuality, oppreffion and idolatry which have prevailed in all ages, fufficiently prove the wickedness

* Rom. v, 20.

of

have read offer two points for the consolation of those who love him, and for the timely confideration of those who have hitherto difregarded him.

I. That he fitteth in the heavens.

II. The notice he taketh of his enemies. He fmiles at their rage, and treats both their power and their policy with contempt.

I. He whom God has anointed (therefore called MESSIAH) he against whom kings and rulers, nations and the people rage, fitteth in the heavens. He has finished his great work, and entered into his reft; having by himfelf purged our fins, he is immoveably seated on his throne, at the right hand of the Majefty on high*. He is the Head, King and Lord of principalities, dominions and powers, poffeffed of all authority, unchangeably fixed over all, God blessed for evermore †. In this character he is the Reprefentative, High Priest, Advocate and Shepherd of all who put their trust in him. He is ever mindful of them. While he is preparing a place for them near himself, by the power of his Spirit he maintains an intercourfe with them, and manifefts himself to them as he does not * Heb. i. 3. + Rom. ix. 5.

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