The especial object of divine adoration, the motives unto it, and the nature of it, or what it consisteth in, are here declared.
The object of it is Christ, not separately, but distinctly from the Father, and jointly with him. And he is proposed, Is^, As having fulfilled the work of his mediation in his incarnation and oblation — as a Lamb slain. 2dli/, In his glorious exaltation — " in the midst of the throne of God." The principal thing that the heathen of old observed concerning the Christian religion, was, that in it " praises were sungf to Christ as unto God."
Tlie motives unto this adoration are the unspeakable benefits
NATURE OF THE ADORATION RENDERED TO CHRIST. 109
which we receive by his mediation, " Thou art worthy, for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us unto God," &c.
Hereon the same glory, the same honour, is ascribed unto him as unto God the Father : " Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever."
The nature of this adoration is described to consist in three things. \st. Solemn prostration: "And the four living creatures said. Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever." So also is it described, chap. iv. 10, 11. ^dly, In the ascription of all divine honour and glory, as is at large expressed, chap. v. 11-13. Mly, In the way of expressing the design of their souls in this adoration, which is by the praises: " They sung a new song"— that is, of praise; for so are all those psalms which have that title of a new song. And in these things — namely, solemn prostration of soul in the acknowledgment of divine excellencies, ascriptions of glory and honour with praise — doth religious adora- tion consist. And they belong not unto the great holy society of them who worship above and here below — whose hearts are not always ready unto this solemn adoration of the Lamb, and who are not on all occasions exercised therein.
And this adoration of Christ doth differ from the adoration of God, absolutely considered, and of God as the Father, not in its nature, but merely on the account of its especial motives. The principal motive imto the adoration of God, absolutely considered, is the work of creation — the manifestation of his glory therein — with all the effects of his power and goodness thereon ensuing. So it is declared, chap. iv. 11, "Thou art worthy, 0 Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power : for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." And the principal motive unto the adoration and worship of God as the Father, is that eternal love, grace, and goodness, which he is the fountain of in a peculiar manner, Eph. i. 4, 5. But the great motive unto the adora- tion of Christ is the work of redemption, Rev. v. 12, " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." The reason whereof is given, verses 9, 10, " For thou wast slain, and hast re- deemed us unto God by thy blood; and made us unto our God kings and priests." The adoration is the same, verse 18, " Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever." But the imme- diate motives of it are different, as its objects are distinct.
Herem no small part of the life of the Christian rehgion doth consist. The humbling of our souls before the Lord Christ, from an
110 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
apprehension of his divine excellencies — the ascription of glory, honour, praise, with thanksgiving unto him, on the great motive of the work of redemption with the blessed effects thereof — are things wherein the life of faith is continually exercised ; nor can we have any evidence of an interest in that blessedness which consists in the eternal assignation of all glory and praise unto him in heaven, if we are not exercised unto this worship of him here on earth.
'2.dly, Invocation is the second general branch of divine honour — of that honour which is due and paid unto the Son, as unto the Father. This is the first exercise of divine faith — the breath of the spiritual life. And it consisteth in two things, or hath two parts. (\sQ An ascription of all divine properties and excellencies unto him whom we invocate. This is essential unto prayer, which without it is but vain babbling. Whoever cometh unto God hereby, " must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (J^dly,) There is in it also a representation of our wills, affections, and desires of our souls, unto him on whom we call, with an expectation of being heard and relieved, by virtue of his infinitely divine excellencies. This is the proper acting of faith with respect unto ourselves ; and hereby it is our duty to give honour unto the person of Christ.
When he himself died in the flesh, he committed his departing soul by solemn invocation into the hands of his Father, Ps. xxxi. 5 ; Luke xxiii. 46, " Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit." And — to evidence that it is the will of God that we should honour the Son, as we honour the Father, even as the Son himself in his human nature, who is our example, honoured the Father — he who first died in the faith of the Gospel, bequeathed his departing soul into the hands of Jesus Christ by solemn invocation, Acts vii. 59, " They stoned Stephen, sirixaXou/xivov, solemnly invocating, and saying. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And having by faith and prayer left his own soul safe in the hands of the Lord Jesus, he adds one petition more unto him, wherewith he died : " Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," verse CO. Herein did he give divine honour unto Christ in the especial invocation of his name, in the highest instances that can be conceived. In his first request, wherein he committed his departmg soul into his hands, he ascribed unto him divine omni- science, omnipresence, love, and power ; and in the latter, for his enemies, divine authority and mercy, to be exercised in the pardon of sin. In his example is the rule established for the especial invo- cation of Christ for the effects of divine power and mercy.