the way tliey did, as a strong presumption, that the Scriptures were understood at that time in the very sense in which they cited them : for, had they not been so understood by the Jews of that day, the citation of them would have been nugatory : yea, worse than nugatory ; it would have been absurd in the highest degree ; and would have produced the directly opposite effect to that which it was intended to produce. Let any one, with this impression upon his mind, read the chapter from whence our text is taken, and he cannot for one moment doubt the divinity of Christ, or the truth of his Messiahship.]
2. How safely may we commit ourselves into the Saviour's hands !
[Were our King a man only, what confidence could we have in his protection ? He could not be every where : he could not hear and aid all persons at the same moment : con- sequently we might be overwhelmed before he could come to our aid. But our King is " the Mighty God," who has all things in heaven, and earth, and hell under his controul ; and who has engaged that all his enemies, and ours, shall be put under his feet. Let none then be discouraged because of the number, power, or inveteracy of their enemies : for, if he be for us, none can succesfully be against us. Let the considera- tion therefore which quieted David's mind in all his troubles, compose and quiet our minds also under every trial that can befall us : " the floods have lifted, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice : the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea? :" " The Lord is in his holy temple ; the Lord's throne is in heaven i."]
3. How obedient should we be to his holy will ! [Were it only that we are the work of his hands, we ought
to be altogether obedient to his will : but how much more, when, in addition to being our Creator, he has become our Redeemer; and has assumed our nature, in order that we, through his vicarious sufferings, may be made partakers of his kingdom and glory ! We must not forget that the throne on which he sits is a mediatorial throne ; and the kingdom which he governs is a mediatorial kingdom : and that he exercises his dominion not merely over us, but for us. How happy would the fallen angels be, if they could have one more offer of being received into his kingdom ! But this privilege belongs to us only; and to us no longer than during the present short period of our existence upon earth. If we cast not down the weapons of our rebellion now, the day of grace will be past, and we shall
V Ps. xciii. 3, 4. i Ps. xi. 3, 4.
2271.] Christ's superiority to angels. 143
hear him say, " Bring hither those that were mine enemies, who would not that I should reign over them, and slay them before me." But methinks we should be constrained by love, rather than by fear. Think, my brethren, what it has cost him to establish his kingdom : what conflicts he has endured for us, that we might be made partakers of his triumphs ! It was " through his own death that he triumphed over him that had the power of death, and delivered us from his cruel bond- age." Give ye then up yourselves to him : and though death should await you for your fidelity to him, fear it not, but rejoice that ye are counted worthy to suffer it for his sake. And know assuredly, that, " if ye suffer with him, ye shall reign with him," and to all eternity " be glorified together" with him.]