love and dependence; and as we are enjoined to kiss the Son, and to pay him homage, so when God brought him into the world, he said, Let all the angels of God worship him. Though the bringing MESSIAH, the first, or only begotten into the world, may, as I have observed already, be applied to his incarnation, or to his resurrection, I apprehend it rather designs the whole of his exhibition in the flesh. At his ascension, having finished the work appointed for him to do, he was solemnly invested with authority and glory, and sat down at the right-hand of the Majesty on high. But in his lowest, no less than in his exalted state, the dignity of his divine person is the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever. He was always the proper object of worship. It was agreeable to right, and to the nature of things, and a command worthy of God, that all the angels of God should worship him. The holy angels that excel in strength*, always do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word. We might be certain therefore, that this highest and most comprehensive command a creature is capable of receiving from his Creator, is fulfilled by them, even if we had no express information of the fact. But we have repeated assurances to this purpose. Thus Isaiah, when he saw his glory and spake of him, saw the seraphim standing; each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto an *Psal. ciii. 20. other, saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory*. I see not how the force of the argument arising from this passage, to prove that Messiah is the proper object of the most solemn adoration, which creatures can offer to the Most High, can be evaded; unless any were hardy enough to assert, either that the prophet was himself imposed upon, or has imposed upon us by a false vision; or else, that the apostle John+ was mistaken when he applied this representation to Jesus Christ. But the apostle likewise had a vision to the same effect; in which, while his people redeemed from the earth by his blood, cast their crowns at his feet, the angels were also represented as joining in the chorus of their praises, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessingt. In brief, he is the Lord of angels. The heavenly host waited upon him, and sung his praises at his birth. Angels ministered unto him in the wilderness. And they are so entirely his servants, that at his command, they are sent forth to minister unto, and to attend upon his believing people. Are they not all ministering [Topyxa worshipping] spirits§, adoring the divine Majesty, yet sent forth to minister [Eis dianovav to the service] to the heirs of salvation. He is likewise the head of angels. Though they are not in the same near relation to him, as the sinners whom * Isa. vi. 2, 3. † John xii. 41. Rev. v. 12. he has redeemed with his blood; for he took on him. their nature. There was no redemp tion appointed for the angels who kept not their first habitation. But the confirmation of those who continue in holiness and happiness, is in and through him. For all things both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, are gathered together in one [xxx‡λσxox, reduced under one head into one body] in him*. And they are therefore styled in contradistinction from the others, The elect angelst. He is their life, and strength, and joy, as he is ours, though they cannot sing the whole song of his people. It is appropriate to the saved from amongst men to say, This God shines glorious in our nature, he loved us, and gave himself for us. Here then, as I have intimated, is a pattern and encouragement for us. The angels, the whole host of heaven, worship him. He is Lord of all. We in this distant world have heard the report of his glory, have felt our need of such a Saviour, and are, in some degree, witnesses and proofs of his ability and willingness to save. He lived, he died, he arose, he reigns for us. Therefore humbly depending upon his promised grace, without which we can do nothing, we are resolved, that whatever others do, we must, we will worship him, with the utmost powers of our souls. It is our deter mination and our choice, not only to praise and honour him with our lips, but to devote ourselves to his service, to yield ourselves to his disposal, to entrust our all to his care, and to I place our whole happiness in his favour. hope, in speaking thus, I speak the language of many of your hearts. Some reflections easily offer from this subject, with which I shall close it. 1. They who love him may rejoice in the thoughts of his glory. They have deeply sympathized with him, when reading the history of his humiliation and passion. It has not been a light concern to them, that he endured agonies, that he was rejected, reviled, scourged, and slain. He who suffered these things was their best friend, their beloved Lord; and he suffered for their sakes. In the glass of his word, and by the light of his holy Spirit, he has been set forth as crucified before their eyes. And they have been crucified with him, and have had fellowship with him in his death. From hence they derive their indignation against sin, and their indifference to the world, which treated him thus. But now he is no more a man of sorrows; his head, which was once crowned with thorns, is now crowned with glory; his face, which was defiled with spittle, shines like the sun; his hands, which were manacled, wield the sceptre of universal government; and, instead of being surrounded by insulting men, he is now encircled by adoring angels. Therefore they rejoice with joy unspeakable, expecting soon to see him as he is, and to be with him for ever, according to the gracious promises he has made them, and the tenor of his prevailing intercession for them. 2. What an honour does his exaltation and glory reflect upon his faithful followers? The world that rejected him pays little regard to them. They are slighted, or scorned, or pitied, and, in proportion as they manifest his spirit, experience a degree of the treatment which he met with. They are accounted visionaries or hypocrites. Many of them are great sufferers. And few of them, comparatively, are distinguished among men by abilities, influence, or wealth. They are pilgrims and strangers upon earth. Yet this God is their God. He who is worshipped by angels is not ashamed to call them brethren*. They are nearly related to him who sitteth upon the throne. And he is pleased to account them his portion, and his jewels. It doth not yet appear what they shall be. But the day is coming when their mourning shall be ended, their characters vindicated, and they shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Lord. They shall stand before him with confidence, and not be ashamed when he appears. Then shall the difference between the righteous and the wicked be clearly discerned. In that day the righteous shall say, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us this is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. While the others, however once admired or feared by mortals, the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, no less than those of inferior rank, shall tremble, shall wish in vain to conceal themselves, and shall say to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne; for the † Isa. xxv. 9. *Heb. ii. 11. |