Doct 2. From the term of this motion : * Those that go on from strength to strength shall at length appear before God in Zion.' Here observe —
1. Theplace, Zion, that is, heaven, in this accommodative sense wherein I handle it : Heb. xii. 22, ' But ye are come unto Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and unto an innumerable company of angels,' &c. Now this is a glorious place. Jerusalem be- low was a beautiful city, but much more Jerusalem that is above. This world is a valley of tears, wherein rueful spectacles are presented to our €yes, woful news possess our ears ; here is sorrowing and sinning ; but no such thing there, all is quiet, beautiful, and glorious ; no woful sound, or sad spectacle, no dismal rumours nor evil tidings. Sense will tell you what the outside is ; this spangled roof over our heads is but the pavement of that palace.
2. The company, ' Every one.' They were travelling to Zion in dis- tinct troops, but tlaey all meet in one assembly and congregation. So here ; we have but little company by the way, a strait gate and a narrow way, and but few that find it ; but when all meet together, there is ' an innumerable company of angels, and the spirits of just men made per- fect,' Heb. xii. 22, 23 ; all joining as in one choir to laud and bless God in a concert of voices.
3. Their blessedness, * There they appear before God ; ' that is, their happiness. They appear not in order to doom, but fruition. Not only before God as a judge, but as a gracious father: 1 John iii. 2, 'When we shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is ; '
SERMON UPON PSALM LXXXIV. 7. 325
] Cor. xiii. 12, 'For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face : now I know in part, but then I shall know even also as I am known.' Here we know God by hearsay, but see him not. The fulness of our joy is from the vision and sight of God. All sight of God transforming here : 2 Cor. iii. 18, ' We all, with open face behold- ing as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord ; ' but there much more. Here we are like him in holiness, and there in happiness. There is in God to fiaKupiov koX to dyadov, &c., something happy, some- thing good ; and we shall be there like him in both.
Use. Let this beget patience : Kom. viii. 18, ' I reckon that the suf- ferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us,' Heaven will pay for all. And let it also beget diligence : 1 Cor. xv. 58, ' Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.' Be always pressing on, because of the high price of your calling. The thought of the prize should excite us to diligence.
SERMON UPON 1 CORINTHIANS XI. 26.
For as often as ye eat (his hread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. — 1 Cob. xi. 26.
I SHALL fall directly upon the words, without any preface. In them observe — (1.) A duty supposed ; (2.) The purpose and end of it de- clared.
1. The duty supposed. In it you may observe two things — (1.) 'Ocra/ct9, ' as often,' implieth a iroWaKi,^, that it must be often ; for he doth not say, ordv, when, but oaaKi,^, 'as often;' it should be very often. Seldom communions came into the church upon the decay of zeal. (2.) Both elements are supposed to be used : ' As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup.' It is sacrilege to defraud the people of the communion of the cup, and to separate what God hath joined.
2. The end declared. Where, what, and how long. (1.) What is the end ? To annunciate or ' show forth the Lord's death.' It may be read indicatively or imperatively, KaraTyeXKeTe ; they come to the same effect. Annuntiare dehetis — Ye ought to show forth. So Vata- hlus. (2.) How long this rite must be observed to this end : ' Till he come ; ' that is, to judgment : which implieth that this is a standing ordinance, or means to keep his death in perpetual remembrance, till we have no more need of memorials, because Christ is come in person.
Boct. The Lord's supper is a solemn commemoration of the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ — (1.) By way of illustration ; (2.) By way of confirmation.
1. By way of illustration. I shall explain both the object and the act. The object is ' the Lord's death ; ' the act is annunciation, or show- ing forth.
First, The object, which I shall open in three propositions —
1. That the sacraments do chiefly relate to Christ's death. FOr baptism : Kom. vi. 3, ' Know ye not that so many of us as were bap- tized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death ? ' The Lord's supper, in the text. Both sacraments represent him dead; they do not represent him glorified, but crucified. They were instituted in favour of men, and for the benefit of man, more directly and imme- diately than for the honour of Christ exalted. In these duties he representeth himself rather as one that procured the glory of others than as one that is possessed of glory himself; and would have us consider his death rather than his present exaltation. His death is wholly for us. but his glory is for himself and us too. Only we