*

assures us, that when Isaiah said these things, he saw his glory and spake of him. This is the title of God in the Old Testament; or, as some choose to speak, of the Supreme Being. And it is ascribed to MESSIAH in many places. Therefore, if he were not the Lord of hosts, the Scripture would be chargeable with authorizing, yea, enjoining idolatry. But he is the true God and eternal life '† and they who give him the honour due to his name, have every thing to hope, and nothing to fear.

II. He is the Lord, strong and mighty in battle.' It was in his human nature he engaged in battle with his enemies and ours. But the battle was the Lord's. Therefore, though he 'trod the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with him,'‡ his own arm brought him salvation. He is conqueror of sin, Satan, and death. We were under the power of these; therefore, for our sakes, he engaged in conflict with their united force. He fought, he bled, he died; but in dying he conquered. The strength of sin is the law; this strength he subdued, by obeying the precepts of the law, and sustaining the penalty due to our transgressions. He destroyed death, and disarmed it of its sting He destroyed him that hath the power of death, Satan. He shook, he overturned, the foundations of his kingdom, broke open his prison-doors, released his prisoners, delivered the prey out of the hand of the mighty, and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it,' that is, his cross. The apostle alludes to the manner of a Roman triumph, in which the conqueror was drawn in a chariot of state, attended by his officers and soldiers; the principal prisoners followed in chains, and all the treasures and trophies gained from the vanquished enemy were displayed to adorn the procession. Thus MESSIAH subdued the strength and policy of the powers of darkness, in the hour of his lowest humiliation, when he hung and expired upon the cross; and triumphed over them, gloriously leading captivity captive, when he ascended on high.|| Satan, though still an enemy to his church and cause, is despoiled of his dominion; his power is only permissive, and in his fiercest assaults he is limited by bounds which he cannot pass, by a chain which he cannot break. And all his atttempts are controlled and overruled, to the furtherance of the cause which he would suppress, and to the good of the persons whom he would worry and destroy. They are made acquainted with his devices, furnished with armour sufficient to repel him; and they fight under encouragement of a sure promise, that the God of peace will

*John, xii. 41. Psalm Ixviii. 18.

† 1 John, v. 20.

Isa. lxiii. 3.

Col. ii. 15.

shortly and finally bruise Satan under their feet. As MESSIAH, their King, has conquered for them, so they, in due time, shall, be made more than conquerors, by faith in his blood, and in the word of his testimony.

III. The title of King of glory,' I understand as peculiarly applicable to him in the character of Mediator. The glory of his divine nature is essential to him. But, in consequence of his obedience unto death, he obtained, in the human nature, a name that is above every name. He suffered as a man, yea, as a malefactor; there was no appearance of glory in that form of a servant which he assumed for our sakes. Though without sin, he was made in the likeness of sinful flesh, subject to poverty, disgrace, and death; but the same man who was crucified. dead, and buried, received glory and authority at his resurrection, and was highly exalted to the administration of all dominion and goverument. Perhaps the word glory is not easily defined. We conceive it as expressing brightness and splendour. The glory of Solomon was the combined effect of his wisdom, power, and riches; which distinguished him in his character, conduct, and appearance, from other men. The glory of the sun is his effulgence and influence. The word glory, when applied to the blessed God, seems to denote that manifestation of himself by which his intelligent creatures are capable of knowing him; for in himself he is infinite, inaccessible, and incomprehensible, and dwelleth in that light which no man, which no creature, can approach unto.† Of this manifestation there are various degrees. His glory shines in the creation. Not only do the heavens declare it by their immensity, and furnish us with an idea of his unspeakable greatness, who has sent forth ten thousand worlds, to tell us that he resides above them all; but the smallest of his works, the grass and flowers of the field, and the insects which creep upon the ground, bear an impression of his wisdom and goodness, an inimitable criterion of his wonder-working hand, which so far displays his glory. To an attentive and discerning mind, his glory shines in his providence; in his preserving the world which he has made; in supplying the various wants of his creatures, and particularly in his moral government of mankind. Here, besides his wisdom, power, and general goodness, we discover some traces of his character as the righteous Judge of the earth. But, to our limited capacities and views, this glory is obscured by many difficulties. Though righteousness and judgment are the habitations of his throne, yet clouds and darkness are round about him.' By his holy word, his revealed will, we are favoured Psalm civ. 24, 25.

*Phil. ii. 9. Psalm xcvii. 2.

6

1 Tim. vi. 16. Į Psalm xix. 1.

with a still brighter display of his glory, in the perfections of holiness, justice, truth, and mercy, which fallen man is unable clearly to discover in his works of creation and providence. But chiefly his Son is the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.'* 'No one hath seen God at any time, but the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father,' intimately acquainted with his counsels, he hath declared him.' This was the great design of his advent, to make God known to man for as it is life eternal to know the only true God, so he is only to be known in and by Jesus Christ, whom he sent, and who is the way and the door, and there is no entrance to the knowledge of God but by him. In the person and work of MESSIAH, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, the brightness and harmony of all his attributes, is transcendently revealed. In this sense, he is the Lord, the King of glory. When we are enlightened by the Holy Spirit, to conceive of him according to the testimony given of him in the Scripture, we see the glory of God. Other discoveries of it are but scattered rays and emanations of light; but, in Jesus, the glory of God resides in its source and fulness, as light in the sun. He is therefore the King of glory.

IV. As the acknowledged King of glory, in the nature of man, he ascended; the everlasting gates unfolded wide, and he entered into the holy place, not made with hands, there to appear in the presence of God for his people.

1. As their representative. The glory is properly his own, the benefit redounds to his people. Sin had excluded them from the kingdom; but he claimed and took possession in their name. Hence he is styled their forerunner, because, by virtue of their relation to him, and their interest in him, they shall surely follow him. This is the encouragement of believers. He is the head of his body the church and though the church, while in this world, is in a suffering, perilous state; yet, as the body of a man is not in danger of drowning while his head is out of the water, so our forerunner and head being in heaven on their behalf, he will assuredly draw all his living members to himself. He has said, Because I live, ye shall live also.'|| And he has stipulated for them, that they shall, each in his appointed time, be with him where he is to behold his glory.T

2. As their High Priest and intercessor. He presents their persons and their prayers acceptable to God. He bears the iniquity of their holy things. With this encouragement, weak and unworthy as they are in themselves, and though their best ser

* Heb. i. 3. John, xiv. 19.

+ John, i. 18.
John, xvii, 24.

t John, xvii. S.

Heb. vi. 20.

vices are polluted, they find a liberty of access; and, because he ever liveth, thus to make intercession for all who come unto God by him,* they know that he is able to save them to the utter

most.

3. Though the heavens must receive and contain the holy human nature till the restitution of all things, he is not unmindful of them in their present circumstances. He is seated upon the throne of universal dominion, and he exercises his authority and rule with an especial view to their welfare. While he pleads for them on high, by the power of his Spirit, he is present with them below. He comforts their hearts, enlivens their assemblies, and manages their concerns. He is their Shepherd, who gives them food, controuls their enemies, revives their fainting spirits, and restores their wanderings. His ear is open to their prayers, his eye is upon them in every situation, and his arm stretched forth for their relief. Therefore, though persecuted, they are not forsaken; though cast down, they are not destroyed. And he has promised that he will not leave them until he has done all that for them which his word has taught them to hope for; until he has made them victorious over all their enemies, and put the conqueror's song in their mouths, and a crown of life upon their heads.

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This High and Holy One, this King of glory, who is seated on the throne of heaven, dwelleth also in the humble and lowly spirit. He thus solemnly claims the throne of the heart of each of his people, which in a state of nature is usurped by self and Satan; and he is thus willingly acknowledged and admitted in the day of his power. Behold! He stands at the door, and knocks,'t and, because he is as yet unknown, he is for a while rejected. The bolts and bars of prejudice and unbelief withstand his entrance. But when he comes on a purpose of grace, he will take no denial. For a season he waits to be gracious. But he has an appointed hour, when he reveals his great name, and makes the soul sensible who he is! Then the gates of brass and bars of iron are broken before him. His greatness and his goodness, what he is in himself, and what he has done and suffered for sinners, are motives which cannot be resisted when they are truly understood. Satan, who, as the strong one armed, long laboured to hinder him from his rightful possession, is himself dispossessed. The soul laments its former obstinacy, throws down its arms, throws wide open its doors, and bids the King of glory welcome. Then old things pass away and all things become new. Such was the change the poor man experienced, out of whom Jesus cast a legion of evil spirits. At first, if he could, he would have pre

*Heb. vii. 25.

VOL. Ill

+ Psalm xxiii.

28

Rev. iii. 20.

vented his kind purpose; he was afraid of his deliverer, and said, 'I beseech thee, torment me not.'* How wretched was his state then, miserable in himself, and a terror to others! But what a wonderful and happy alteration, when he sat quietly at his Saviours's feet, clothed, and in his right mind!

I close the subject with the apostle's inference, Seeing then that we have so great a high priest, who is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.'t Let not those who know him be ashamed of their attachment to him. You will not repent in a dying hour, that you once thought too highly of him, or expected too much from him, or devoted yourself with too much earnestness to his service. Nor yield to unbelief and fear. Though your enemies are many and mighty, and your trials great, greater is he that is with you. If the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the Lord strong and mighty in battle, be for you, who can be against you, so as effectually to harm you? Continue instant in prayer; persevere in well-doing. Our ascended Lord will one day return; and then they who have loved, and served, and trusted him here, shall appear with him in glory.'‡

Others, if they can, must prepare to meet him. But, alas! how shall they stand before him? Or, whither shall they flee from him whose presence filleth the heavens and the earth ?§ Have they an arm like God? or can they thunder with a voice like his? As yet he is proclaimed by the Gospel, a Saviour, seated upon a throne of grace, stretching forth the golden sceptre of his love, and inviting sinners to be reconciled. Now is the accepted time. Hereafter he will be seen upon a throne of judgment, to take vengeance of his enemies.

SERMON XXVII.

MESSIAH THE SON OF GOD.

HEBREWS, i. 5.

For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?

THOUGH every part of a revelation from God must of course be equally true, there may be a considerable difference even + Heb. iv. 14. ‡ Col. iii. 4.

* Mark, v. 7.

Jer. xxiii. 24.