Imatges de pàgina
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"The Father

ward of his obedience unto death. "loveth the Son; and hath given all things into his "hand."* Because "he humbled himself, and be

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came obedient unto death, God hath highly exalted "him, and given him a name, which is above every "name; that, at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth."+ But, besides this universal dominion, which he thus possesses, at once by right and by donation, there is committed to him a particular rule, a special care over his redeemed. He brings both in view, in his affectionate prayer for them, recorded by the beloved disciple: "Glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou "hast given him power over all flesh; that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." What comfort is there, ye friends of Jesus, in these assurances, that "all things are under his feet," and he is "head over all things, to the church?" He who ruleth over all, ruleth over all for your behoof. This mighty Lord is not ignorant of your nature and infirmities: "Forasmuch as the children are

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"For in all

partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same." He is not incapable of sympathizing with your afflictions, nor unacquainted with your temptations. "For in all your affliction, he was afflicted:" and he can "be touched "with the feeling of our infirmities, seeing he was 'tempted, in all points like as we are."**

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Draw comfort from these truths, distressed christian: rejoice in these views of thy Redeemer's cha

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racter. When on earth, he felt his own griefs: he sympathized with, and relieved, the griefs of others. Though exalted, he remembers thee still. "In all

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things he was made like unto his brethren, that "he might be a merciful and faithful high-priest, "in things pertaining to God."*

Fearful christian! dost thou tremble at the trials which Providence may appoint thee, and especially at that, in which all its dispensations to thee here shall terminate! Jesus hath all things in his hand : and the keys of hell and death are his. "In that he "himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted:"+ and God's word pledged, that as he is "faithful, he will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able."‡ Or, feeling thy good resolutions often vanish, and thy spiritual strength decay, dost thou apprehend that thine enemies will at last overpower thee? Thy enemies are his and all his enemies are put under his feet. Therefore, neither "principalities, nor powers,

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nor things present, nor things to come, nor heighth,

nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate thee from the love of God, which is in "Christ Jesus, our Lord."§

Because "the Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice; "let the multitude of the isles be glad thereof:" "Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: Let the "children of Zion be joyful in their king." Thou disciple of Jesus, "Rejoice evermore !"

And now,

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Blessing, and honour, and glory, "and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the

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throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever!"**

Heb. ii. 17. † Ibid, 18.

1 Cor. x. 13.
$ Rom. viii. 38, 39.

|| Psalm xcvii. 1.
Ibid. cxlix. 2.

** Rev. v. 13.

SERMON V.

THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

1 THESS. V. 16.-Rejoice evermore.

IN the preceding discourses from this animating

exhortation, it has been shewn that christians have just reason for the joy which it inculcates, in their willing obedience to the law of God, and in the contemplation of his gracious over-ruling providence and in what has been stated, under both particulars, I have mentioned, I trust, not what is merely plausible in theory, but what many feel and experience to be practically true. The testimony of the saints of former ages uniformly supports the conclusions which we have drawn: and as God's people still have the same Lord and the same faith, it is to be hoped that their views and exercises, their comforts and joys, will likewise be the same.

But, christians, these fountains of pleasure, worthy of consideration and gratitude as they are, are still inferior to those, towards which it is my object now to lead you. We now rise to the believer's inexhaustible source of joy, and gratitude, and praise; to the contemplation of the unsearchable riches of the grace of God, in our salvation by Jesus Christ. I am to shew you

III. That faith in the gospel is another principle of christian rejoicing.

The word gospel signifies good tidings: and the

message, which the gospel contains, is indeed fraught with the most cheering intelligence. It does not merely communicate news, from a distant country, and concerning a people, with whom we are little connected. It contains tidings of great joy, which respect ourselves. It does not rehearse the civil and political state of the different nations of the earth; or inform us of new and better modes of conducting trade and government. It does not tell us of mountains unopened, where mines of treasure are to be found; or of regions unexplored, from which new luxuries may be imported. Its contents are infinitely more joyful and excellent. It describes to us the policy and the government of Immanuel's realm: and unfolds the treasures and delights, which are the heritage of its subjects. It discovers to us at once the cause and the remedy of all our evils. It reveals whence and how we may obtain peace of mind on earth, and immortal felicity in heaven. If our share of worldly goods be little, it informs us how to make that little a treasure to ourselves; if much, how to render our superabundance a blessing to others. It unfolds the grand secret, how to be happy in every situation; to rejoice in afflictions; to smile beneath the gray hairs of age; and to descend, with firm step, and undaunted heart, to the chambers of death.

Time would fail me to enumerate, in every particular, the glad tidings which the gospel contains; and in which the christian feels himself interested by faith. Suffice it to say, in general, that it is only faith in the gospel, which enables us to draw comfort from the sources of joy already mentioned; which delivers us from the fear of divine displea

sure, and the dread of future punishment; and which fills us with gladdening emotions, accompanying the restoration of the favour of Cod.

By faith in the gospel, we are enabled to rejoice in the law, and in the providence of God. Without faith in the gospel, the law could only be a source of terror. The pains of natural conscience, convicting us of sin, must be increased by a knowledge of the divine will; and its terrors, by the revelation of the indissoluble connexion between disobedience and punishment. But through faith in the gospel, we receive both assistance and encouragement in the obedience of God's law; and know that, imperfect as our obedience must notwithstanding be, our acceptance is secured by another, an all-sufficient righteousness. Hence, the willing obedience of God's people, though, in many respects, unavoidably imperfect, being the genuine fruit of justifying faith, is a certain evidence of its existence; and thus becomes a source of a true divine joy. Without faith in the gospel, too, we should find Providence, in every aspect, dark. Its kind dispensations would be but a series of aggravations of our guilt, and the grounds of greater condemnation its afflictive appointments, but a series of judgments, and the forerunners of severer punishment to come. To a considerate mind, the former would, through life, appear an alarming tranquillity: and the latter would present a continual storm. But faith, which" is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,"* brightens the aspect of our state. Under the gloomiest cloud, that overshadows the day of life, it renders our path † Heb. xi. 1.

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