III. How he is honoured.-John 12: 26, if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 8: 50, the Father seeks my honour-" verily, to him who keepeth my word, will he give eternal life."

IV. We are accepted for Christ's sake.-1 John 2: 1. Rom. 8: 34. 1 Pet. 2: 5, spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Heb. 13:21, "May God work in you what is well pleasing in his sight, through the mediation of Jesus Christ." The sacrifice of Christ and the divine approbation of his perfect obedience, is of much advantage to us, even in the acceptance of any thing good that is in us; for our best works are mingled with sin. v. 15, “Let us bring unto God a sacrifice of praise, through the mediation of Christ our Priest, through whose influence our prayers are made worthy of acceptance."1

V. Heb. 10: 19-22, let us draw near in full assurance of faith. 4: 15.

§ 96.

Jesus promotes the welfare of mankind, by virtue of his dominion over all things.

But it is not only for Jesus' sake, it is also through Jesus, that God bestows salvation on man. It was with this view, that the man (1) Jesus was raised from the dead, that (2) he might be Lord and Judge of the whole human family, of the living. and the dead (3). And as the administration of the concerns of man could not well be conducted, excepting in connexion with the government of the

1 Comment. in loc. Note h.

whole universe; the whole world (4), even the ranks of angels themselves (5), are, in connexion with the human family, subjected to the government of Jesus (6).

ILLUSTRATIONS.

I. The man Jesus.-John 5: 27. Acts 17:31. Compare $65. Ill. 7.

II. Design of his resurrection.-Rom. 14: 9, for to this end Christ both died and rose and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and the living. Col. 1: 18, "he is Ruler (aoxn Tit. 3: 1) after he had been raised from the dead, in order that he might be the first among all." It was needful that he should die, in order to obtain that universal dominion which is so beneficial to the interests of his children, and that he should rise again, in order that he might actually enter on this dominion. See Dissert. I in ep. ad Coloss. note 33. 30.

III.

Christ the Judge.-Acts 17: 31. Rom. 4: 9. 2 Tim. 4: 1. Acts 10: 42.

IV. Christ's universal dominion.-Eph. 1: 20-22. Col. 1: 18, and he is the head of the (his) body, the church. The universal dominion of Jesus is the subject of discourse in the preceding and subsequent parts of the context. When the church is called "the body of Christ" (oopa Xotorov Ephes. 1: 23), her particular connexion with the Lord over all things (v. 20, 22) by virtue of which he is particularly her Lord, xgain inɛo navra v. 22, is compared to the union between a φαλη ύπερ παντα husband, xɛpain, and wife, owua (Eph. 5: 23, 28). See also 2 Cor. 11: 2. John 3: 29. and Dissert. I. in epist. ad Coloss. Note 29, 30. Compare supra § 78. Ill. 8.

V. Christ is Lord over the angels.-Matth. 13: 41, the Son of man shall send forth his angels. Heb. 1: 14, Leerovoyi

нα лνενμатα “they must await the commands which are given them from the throne on which Jesus sits." 991

VI. Jesus exercises universal dominion.-Ephes. 1: 10, "God hath determined in the time that yet remaineth (in the time of the New Covenant) to commit the government of every thing that transpires in heaven and on earth, into the hands of Jesus” (ανακεφαλαιωσασθαι τα παντα εν τῷ Χριστῷ, summam rerum omnium Christo permittere. See Diss. de sensu vocis πληρωμα, § VII.

§ 97.

Agency of Jesus in bestowing salvation on his worshippers in the life to come.

All those who do not themselves prevent their salvation, are, when they leave this world, received by the mighty Redeemer into the habitations of the blessed. (2 Tim. 4: 18. Comp. § 65.) And the presence of this most blessed of all men, is a source of pleasure and of various blessings (1) to the inhabitants of those regions, even for those who had entered them previously to his arrival there. § 65. Ill. 5. Finally, he will prove himself the Redeemer of his people, by delivering their bodies (2) from death, and by all (3) the manifestations of his er connected with it (§61. 65), and bestow salvation on them in the new dispensation by his everlasting dominion (5).

1 Comment. in loc. Note k.

pow

ILLUSTRATIONS.

I. The presence of Jesus, is a source of happiness to the inhabitants of the celestial world. John 17: 24. 2 Cor. 5: 8. Rev. 7: 17, the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them to living fountains of water.

II. Jesus will raise our bodies from the dead.-Rom. 8: 23. 1 Cor. 15: 21-26. Comp. § 62.

III. Displays of his power.--Even the solemnities of the judgment, which will take place about this time (§ 65. Ill. 5), are perfectly consistent with the character of the Redeemer of men. For, that judgment will confer honour and happiness on some of its subjects; whilst the condemnation of the wicked will be an evidence of the displeasure of the Judge at those who prevented their own salvation, and the accomplishment of the Redeemer's wishes, and will thus also evince his earnest desire for their salvation. Finally, it will show the love of the Redeemer to those who were contemned or even abused by the wicked (Matth. 25: 41. 2 Thess. 1: 6. Luke 18: 7), and who could not be perfectly happy if the wicked were not separated from them. Matth. 13: 41-43. Comp. § 58. Ill. 3.

IV. The Saviour.-Phil. 3: 20, from whence (from heaven) we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephes. 4: 30, the day of redemption. Heb. 9: 28, to them that look for him, shall he appear the second time without sin, unto salvation.

V. He shall preserve us forever.—1 Thess. 4: 17, and, so shall we be ever with the Lord. John 14: 3. Rev. 21: 22. 22: 3. § 62.

$ 98.

Jesus prepares us in the present life, for happiness in the life to

to come.

The providential care of Jesus for men, is engaged in preparing them (1) in this life, for that happiness which he will bestow on them hereafter; he is making them worthy of all these future blessings which are reserved for them. It is only as exerted upon those to whom the revelation is known, that we are acquainted with this agency of Jesus. For, although the providence of the Redeemer of all men (1 John 2: 2. 1 Tim. 2: 5, 6) certainly also extends to all men, we are nevertheless totally unacquainted with the manner in which he exerts his agency for the welfare of those who are ignorant of his doctrines (§71). And it is certainly very natural, that the records which treat of this providential care of the Redeemer, should speak of it with particular reference to those who should read those records or learn their contents; for it is to them that the Gospel is addressed, and their interests and duties therefore should of course be considered.

ILLUSTRATION.

Acts 5: 31, him hath God exalted to his right hand, a Prince and Saviour (a prince of salvation), to give repentance unto Israel, and the remission of sins. Compare § 65. Ill. 2. Heb. 2: 10, "He is the captain of our salvation, through whom, God will bring many sons unto glory."