the whole Roman empire, was filled with those who were ga- thered unto him. And, at this moment, " all who are taught of God come unto him''' as the one foundation of all their hopes, and the only fountain of all their blessings. There is a period still future, when this prophecy shall be fulfilled in its utmost extent ; when " all kings shall bow down before .him, and all nations shall serve him." Blessed period ! may " God hasten it in its time!" may his " Gospel run and be glorified," and " his glory fill the whole earth ! "
Let us now address a few words,
1. To those who are yet dispersed, and at a distance
from the Lord —
[We need not here turn our eyes to Jews, but reflect how many are there even in this Christian land, who have no more fellowship with Jesus than if he had never come into the world ! But what account will they give to him when they shall stand at his tribunal in the last day ? Are not the words of our text a direction, as well as a prophecy ? Are they not equivalent to an express command ? Has not Christ himself enforced this command by repeated invitations and promises, " Look unto me, and be ye saved ;" " Come unto me, and ye shall find rest unto your souls ? " Has he not even sworn that all shall come to him, or perish for their neglect n ? Why then should we not all gather ourselves around him as in the days of his flesh ? Why should not the blind, the lame, the leprous, the possessed, come to him for deliverance ? Why should not the poor trembling sinner press through the crowd, and "touch the hem of his garment? " Surely none should find it in vain to come unto him ; " Virtue should go forth from him to heal them all." O let the prophecy then receive a fresh accom- plishment this day; and may God so "draw us by his Spirit that we may run after him," and abide with him for ever!]
2. Those who, through grace, have been gathered
to him —
[The sceptre is now passed into the hands of Jesus. He is the true lion of the tribe of Judah0, to whom all power in heaven and in earth has been committed. What then have ye to fear, who are under his protection? Who shall ever pluck you from his hands p? When, or to whom shall his sceptre ever be transferred ? His mediatorial kingdom will indeed be put down, when there shall be no more occasion for itq. But though he will cease to mediate between God and man, his
n Isai. xlv. 22 — 25. ° Rev. v. 5. P John x. 28.
i 1 Cnr. xv. 24. This relates to the peculiar mode of administer- ing the affairs of his kingdom as our Mediator.