it to himself a glorious Church, &c.^" But the very same thing* is spoken of the Father also, of whom it is said, that, " by Christ, the Father reconciled all
things to himself, even in the body of his
flesh through death, to present us holy and un- blameable and unreproveable in his sight \" I con- sider the text therefore as addressed to the Father : and, in order to a suitable improvement of it, will set before you,
I. The character of Jehovah as here described — ■
His wisdom and his power are altogether infinite : and we might, not improperly, speak of those two perfections as they are delineated in the holy Scrip- tures. But I conceive, that, though mentioned generally in the text, we should notice them not as esnsting in himself, but as exercised towards his Church.
Wonderful is the ivisdom which he has displayed in his dealings with his people — •
[Contemplate the plan of salvation through the incarna- tion and death of his only-begotten Son — ■ What un- fathomable depths of wisdom are here ! ' — Well is it
called, " The wisdom of God in a mystery !" To con- template that, will be the employment of eternity.
Nor, if we entered into his particular dispensations towards his people, would this perfection appear in less bright colours, so " unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past find- ing out." The experience of every saint will furnish abun- dant matter for adoration through all eternity ; for " he has abounded towards every one of them in all wisdom and prudence " ]
Nor is the poiuer which he exercises towards them less stupendous —
[V^ieAV the temptations with which every saint is beset
the enemies, even all the hosts of hell, with whom
he has to contend his utter incapacity to do any
thing of himself and yet his conflicts, his victories,
and his triumphs — ' Must not that power be wonderful
that is able to keep him, and effectual for his preservation even to the end ? Yes verily, it is no less a power than that which was put forth to raise the Lord Jesus Christ himself
from
<* Eph. v. 25—27. • Col. i. 19—22.
304 juDE, 24, 25. [1197.
from the dead, and to exalt him above all the principalities and powers both of heaven and hell'.]
It is by the united and continued exercise of these two perfections, that he becomes '* our Saviour" —
[In the name of " Saviour " he glories ; and under that character he loves to be viewed by us. His perfections would indeed be the same, though never put forth for us, any more than for the fallen angels : but, as they are so exercised for our welfare, it becomes us to contemplate them in that parti- cular view, and to render to him the praise which such mani- festations of them demand. Reflect a moment on him as a " Saviour !" not merely as preserving us in our conflicts here, but as " presenting us faultless before the presence of his
glory " in the world above One moment's reflection
upon his character in that a iew, will abundantly suffice to shew you,]
II. The dispositions with which it should be con- templated—
Beyond all doubt our hearts should be lifted up with devoutest affection towards him, as the Apostle's was ; and should be filled,
1. With love —
[Review the character before described, and say, whe- ther, though you yourselves were not the objects of his care, the very existence of those perfections ought not to endear him to your souls ? How much more then, when from all eternity they have been consecrated to your service, and de- stined to be exercised for your good ! I call you then
to love him, with all your heart, and all your mind, and all your soul, and all your strength ]
2. With gratitude —
[Go to the world above, and see and hear how all the glorified saints are occupied around the throne : what songs of praise are they singing night and day to God and to the Lamb ! How do they all labour for utterance ; and, by the very accumulation of the terms by which they strive to evince their gratitude, shew how inadequate even the language of heaven itself is to express the feelings of their