[1.] The things ascribed to Christ, 'Glory and dominion,' In other places it is honour and power everlasting : 1 Tim. vi. 16, ' Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honour and power everlasting, Amen.' In the Lord's prayer more fully : Mat. vi. 13, ' For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.' Where by ' kingdom ' is meant right and authority to dispose of all things according to his own pleasure ; by ' power,' strength and all- sufficiency to execute what he pleaseth ; by ' glory,' his honour, which is the result of all that he doth. Clara cum laude notitia — Excellency discovered with praise. We desire that he may be more honoured, and brought into request and esteem in the world. Here we have but two words, ' glory' and ' dominion.' ' Glory,' that is, just praise and esteem ; gracious hearts think they can never set Christ high enough in their esteem and praise ; this is all they can return to him for liis great benefits. ''Glory/ that he may have the honour, as they the comfort. ' Dominion ' implieth lordship and sovereignty ; this they Avould have given to Christ as his due by his own purchase and God's assignment : Rom. xiv. 9, ' For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.' It was God's end : Phil. ii. 10, * That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.'
[2.] The form is imperative, as binding themselves and others to give him glory and dominion. Themselves in the first place, and that not only with the tongue, but with the heart ; not only in word, but in deed. So they would give him glory, praise him with their lips, and honour him with their lives. They would make that their work and scope, that this may be the real language of their hearts and actions, which speak much louder than words. These ' show forth the praises of him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light,'
1 Peter ii. 9, that really they may be the glory of Christ : 2 Cor. viii. 23, * They are the messengers of the churclies, and the glory of Chi'ist ; '
2 Thes. i. 12, ' That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you.' So for dominion ; the practical acknowledgment is better than the verbal : Luke vi. 46, ' Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say ? ' Mat. vii. 21, ' Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heav^en.' Christ was mocked when they cried, ' Hail, king of the Jews ! ' Mat. xxvii, 29, and yet they crucified him. If we would have dominion given to Christ, we must look upon ourselves as not our own, but his ; not live to ourselves, or use ourselves for ourselves, but resign up ourselves absolutely to him. Then for others, sucli is their love to Christ and the souls of men, that true christians desire that Christ may not only be glorified by themselves, but others ; that he may be known, worshipped, and believed on in the world, especially those about them ; as fire turneth all thin^rs about it into fire.
SERMONS UPON REVELATION I. 5, 6. 93
[3.] The duration, 'For ever and ever.' In all doxologies a long duration is expressed. They desire not only the present age may gloiify God, but the future. When we are dead and gone, the Lord remaineth, and they would not have him remain without praise and honour. It is the comfort of their souls, when dying, that God shall have a people to praise him ; and they prize their own salvation the more, that they shall live for ever to glorify God ; that, as God's blessings are everlasting, so shall be their praises.
[4] It is ratified by a solemn attestation, 'Amen.' It is noia desiderii et sicppUcationis ; by it we testify our fervent affection, and strength of desire after the glory of Christ. We should have an Amen for our praises as well as for our prayers ; not only to say, ' Jesus, master, have mercy on us, Amen ; ' but, ' To him be glory for ever and ever, Ameu.'
SERMON II.
And hath made us Icings and priests unto God and Ms Father.
Rev. i. 6.
I SHALL take up this subject again, and speak of our priesthood, when we shall be admitted into the immediate presence of God, and praise him for evermore. There is a ministration before the throne of grace, or before the throne of glory ; before the throne of grace we minister in this life, before the throne of glory in the life to come. Of the latter I shall now speak, because it is a truth commonly overlooked.
Boct. That the priesthood which we have by Christ concerneth our ministration in the heavenly temple.