442 . CHRIST THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS. [SeR. III.
the angels of God. Here is force against force, chariots against chariots, horse against horse, if we could open the eye of faith and shut that of sense. We read, Acts xii. 23, that an angel smote Herod in the midst of his pride and persecution : the angel of the Lord smote him.
Use 1. Let us more deeply be possessed with the majesty of our Kedeemer. He is the Creator of all things, of angels as well as men, and so more excellent than all the men in the world, whether they excel in power or holiness, which tlie psalmist expresseth thus : ' Fairer than the children of men,' Ps. xlv. 29. But also, then, the most excellent and glorious angels ; he is their creator as well as ours, head of principalities and powers, as well as of poor worms here upon earth. Surely the representing and apprehending of Christ in his glorious majesty is a point of great consequence.
1. Partly to give us matter for praise and admiration, that we may not have mean thoughts of his person and office. He is a most glorious Lord and King, that holdeth the most powerful creatures in subjection to himself. If Christians did know and consider how much of true religion consists in admiring and praising their Eedeemer, they would more busy their minds in this work.
2. Partly to strengthen our trust, and to fortify us against all fears and discouragements in our service. When we think of the great Creator of heaven and earth, and all things visible and invisible, angels, men, principalities, &c., surely the brightness of all creature glory should wax dim in our eyes : ' Our God is able to deliver us,' l)an. iii. 18, and will, as he did by his angel. This was that which fortified Stephen : Acts v. 56, 56, ' He saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God.' It is easy for him who made all things out of nothing to help us. See Ps. cxxi. 2, ' My help standeth in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.' The Almighty Creator, ruler, and governor of the world, what cannot he do ? As long as I see those glorious monuments of his power standing, I will not distrust he can afford me seasonable help by his holy angels, through the intercession of his Son, who hath assumed my nature.
3. Partly to bind our duty. All creatures were made by him and for him ; therefore we should give up ourselves to him, and say with Paul, Acts xxvii. 23, 'His I am, and him I serve.' His by creation and redemption, therefore everything we have and do ought to have a respect to his glory and service. There is a variety of creatures in the world, of different kinds and different excellencies. In the whole and ^very kind there is somewhat of the glory of God and Christ set forth. Now this should strike our hearts— Shall we only, who are the persons most obliged, be a disgrace to our Lord, both Creator and Kedeemer, when the good angels are so ready to attend him at his beck and com- mand, and that in the meanest services and ministries ? Shall poor worms make bold with his laws, slight his doctrine, despise his benefits ? Heb. ii. 2, 3, ' If the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation ?'
• 4. And lastly, to make us more reverent in our approaches to him ; ftir he sits in the assembly of the gods, the holy angels are round
Col. I. 16.] christ the creator of all things. 443
about him: Ps, cxxxviii, 1, 'Before the gods will I sing praise to thee ' — that is, in the presence of the holy angels : 1 Cor. x. 10 ; Eccles. V. 6, ' Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, neither say thou before the angel that it was an error.' The angels in heaven observe our behaviour in God's worship — what vows we make to God, what promises of obedience. But, above all, there is our glorious Ke- deemer himself : Heb. xii. 28, 29, with what reverence and godly fear should we approach his holy presence !
Use 2. Is to quicken us to thankfulness for our redemption ; that our creator is our Kedeemer. None of the angels did humble himself as Christ did do, to do so great a piece of service, and yet he is far above them. There is a congruity in it, that we should be restored by him by whom we were made ; but he made the angels as well as men, but he did not restore them. No ; they were not so much as in a condition of forbearance and respite ; he assumed not their nature, he created all things, but he redeemed mankind. His delights were with the sons of men ; he assumed our nature, and for a while ' Avas made a little lower than the angels,' Heb. ii. 9. We cannot sufficiently bless God for the honour done to our nature in the person of Christ, for it is God incarnate that is made head of angels, principalities, and powers — God in our nature, whom all the angels are called upon to adore and worship. The devil sought to dishonour God, as if he were envious of man's happiness ; Gen. iii. 5, ' God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof ye shall be as gods.' And he sought to depress the nature of man, which in innocency stood so near to God. Now, that his human nature should be set so far above the angelical, in the person of Christ, and be admitted to dwell with God in a personal union, this calleth for our highest love and thankfulness.