be ashamed that they have ever been suffered to occupy one single thought, except in subserviency to him. In a word, the Lord Jesus should be to us now, what he will be in a better world — our light, our life, our joy, our All.]
2. In our affiance —
[As God, who created all things, he is able, and, as our living Head, who is interested in our welfare, he is willing, to do all that our utmost necessities can require. Stretch your imagination to the uttermost ; and think whether there be any guilt too deep for his blood to expiate, or any corruption too inveterate for his Spirit to subdue. To limit him, either in relation to his power or his grace, or to rely on any other besides him, were to deny his Godhead, and to cast him down from his mediatorial throne. Our whole soul should go forth to him ; our every want be cast on him : and fear, except that which is truly filial, should be dismissed, and find no more place in our bosoms than it does in heaven. O, the holy glorying that becomes us ! Rise to the occasion, my beloved brethren ; and rest assured, that he who created and preserves the universe can new-create and preserve you; and he who redeemed the Church with his blood, and united it to himself as his own body, can redeem, and sanctify, and save, yea, " save to the very uttermost, all those who come unto God by him."]
3. In our services —
[That was an unanswerable appeal which was made to the Jewish rulers, " Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge yeh." We should know no rule of conduct but his revealed will : nor, in the execution of his will, is there any limit to be assigned. If we had a thousand lives, they should all be devoted to him : nor, if we could die a thousand deaths, should they be accounted too much to be endured for him. " His love should constrain us," and carry us away as a mighty torrent in his service. It is said of the angels in heaven, that "they do his commandments, hearken- ing to the voice of his word1:" and so should it be with us : the very first intimation of his will should call into activity our utmost powers : nor should we ever rest, till we can say of the work committed to us, " It is finished."]
Suffer ye now, brethren, a word of exhortation —
1. Contemplate the excellency of your incarnate God—
11 Acts iv. 19. and v. 29. » Ps. ciii. 20.
2168. j THE GLORY OF CHRIST. 161
[Survey the heavens, with all the diversified and stu- pendous bodies contained in them : and inspect the minutest insect, which nothing but the greatest magnifying power can render visible : and see, both in the one and in the other, his creating hand, and his preserving power. Then say with yourselves, ' The Maker of all these things is my Friend, my Beloved, yea, my very Head, one with me ; not merely as a subject is one with his political head, the king, but as any member of my body is with my own head. Not any powers which I myself possess are more used for the good of my own members, than all the powers of this Saviour are for me. For me he became incarnate : for me he died upon the cross : for me he rose, and ascended up where he was before : for me he orders every thing in heaven and earth : for me " he has pre- pared a place " in the mansions of his Father : and for me is he shortly coming again, to " take me to himself, that where he is I may be also." Shall I cease for a moment to think of him ? Shall any thing for a moment stand in competition with him V My dear brethren, let him have the pre-eminence : let him be seated on the throne of }'our hearts : let every Dagon fall before him : and let him " be all your salvation and all your desire."]