[How wonderful is it that such love should ever be shewn to the children of men! that the Son of God, " Jehovah's fel- lowp," who was " one with the Father," " the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person"5," who " was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God, should yet make himself of no reputation, and take upon him the form of a servant, and be made in the like- ness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, should humble himself and become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross1!" How wonderful, I say, is this! and scarcely less wonderful, that we, towards whom this stupendous effort of love and mercy has been exercised, should feel so little, even whilst we profess to believe it, and to make it the foundation of all our hopes. But let us muse upon it; let us muse, till the fire kindle, and we speak with our tongues the wonderful works of God. Nothing but this is heard in heaven : and nothing but this should he heard on earth. Methinks there should be but one song heard amongst us day or night ; " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing8."]
2. Let us submit to his government —
[Do we look for salvation through our adorable Emma- nuel ? Let us not forget that he came to be " a Prince as well as a Saviour," a " Ruler" as well as an Instructor. Let us willingly receive him in this character, and cheerfully dedicate ourselves to his service. Let us be his subjects, not in name, but in truth ; not by an external profession only, but an inter- nal surrender of our souls to him : let us do this, not by con- straint, but willingly ; not partially, but wholly, and without reserve. This is our first duty ; this is our truest happiness ; this is the way in which he expects us to requite him for all his condescension and love ; and it is the only way wherein we can manifest our sense of the obligations he has conferred upon us. " He gave himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works :" let him find in us such a people ; and he will then " see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied."]
P Zech. xiii. 7. i Heb. i. 3.
r Phil. ii. 6—8. s Rev. v. 12.