[1.] They were all, unto their inexpressible present advantage and security for the future, brought into that recovery and recapitulation of all things which God hath made in him. He hath " gathered together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him," Eph. i. 10. The things in heaven, and things on earth — angels above, and men below — were originally united in the love of God. God's love unto them, whence springs their mutual love between themselves, was a bond of union between them, rendering them one complete family of God in heaven and earth, as it is called, Eph. iii 15, On the entrance of sin, whereby mankind forfeited their interest in the love of God, and lost all love unto him, or anything for him, this union was utterly dissolved, and mutual enmity came into the place of its principle in love. God is pleased to gather up these divided parts of his family into one — in one head, which is Christ Jesus. And as there is hereby a union estabhshed again between angels and the church in love, so their adherence unto the head, the centre, life, and spring of this union, is by love, and no otherwise. It is not faith, but love, that is the bond of this union between Christ and them ; and herein no small part of their blessedness and glory in heaven doth consist.
[2.] That worship, adoration, service, and obedience, which they yield unto him, are all in like manner animated with love and dehght. In love they cleave unto him, in love they worship and serve him. They had a command to worship him on his nativity, Heb. L 6; and they did it with joy, exultation, and praises — all effects of love and delight — Luke il 13, 14. And as they continue about the throne of God, they say, with a loud voice, " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing," Kev. v. 12. Their continual ascription of glory and praise unto him is an effect of reverential love and delight; and from thence also is their concern- ment in his gospel and grace, Eph. iii. 9, 10; 1 Peter i. 12. Nor without this love in the highest degree can it be conceived how they
148 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
should be blessed and happy in their continual employment. For they are " all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for the heirs of salvation," Heb. i. 14. Were they not acted herein by their fervent love unto Christ, they could have no delight in their own ministry.
We have not, we cannot have, in this world, a full comprehension of the nature of angelical love. Our notions are but dark and uncer- tain, in things whereof we can have no experience. Wherefore, we cannot have here a clear intuition into the nature of the love of spirits, whilst our own is mixed with what derives from the actings of the animal spirits of our bodies also. But the blessedness of angels doth not consist in the endowments of their nature — that they are great in power, light, knowledge, and wisdom ; for, notwithstand- ing these things, many of them became devils. But the excellency and blessedness of the angelical state consist in these two things: — 1st, That they are disposed, and able constantly, inseparabl}'^, uni- versally, uninterruptedly, to cleave unto God in love. And as they do so unto God, so they do unto the person of Christ; and through him, as their head, unto God, even the Father. 2dly, Add hereunto that gracious reflex sense which they have of the gloiy, dignity, eternal sweetness, and satisfaction, which arise from hence, and we have the sum of angelical blessedness.
(3.) The church of mankind is the other part of the rational crea- tion whereon the image of God is renewed. Love unto the person of Christ, proceeding from faith, is their life, their joy, and glory.
It was so unto the church under the Old Testament. The whole Book of Canticles is designed to no other purpose, but variously to shadow forth, to insinuate and represent, the mutual love of Christ and the church. Blessed is he who understands the sajdngs of that book, and hath the experience of them in his heart. The 45th Psalm, among others, is designed unto the same purpose. All the glorious descriptions which are given of his person in the residue of the prophets, were only means to excite love unto him, and desires after him. Hence is he called D'')Jin"^3 nypn, Hag. ii. 7, "The Desire of all nations " — he alone who is desirable unto, and the only beloved of the church gathered out of all nations.
The clear revelation of the person of Christ, so as to render him the direct object of our love, with the causes and reasons of it, is one of the most eminent privileges of the New Testament. And it is variously attested in precepts, promises, instances, and solemn appro- bations.
Wherever he supposeth or requireth this love in any of his disciples, it is not only as their duty, as that which they were obliged unto by the precepts of the Gospel, but as that without which no other duty whatever is accepted by him. " If," saith he " ye love me, keep my