delight in it — with gratitude, that you may display its influ- ence in your hearts]
"■ This subject may be reduced to more of unity and simplicity, thus : — Mark, I. What offices the Lord Jesus Christ sustains for us —
Every religion has its apostles, who propagate it, and its priests, who perfoi'm its rites. Of our religion our incarnate God, the Lord Jesus Christ, is both the Apostle and High-priest. These offices were assigned to him from eternity, Ps. xl. 6 — 8. He executed them faithfully when on earth ; the prophetic, Heb. i. 2. and ii. 3 ; the priestly, Heb. i. 3. and ii. 14, 17. He still discharges them for the good of his people ; as a prophet, teaching them by his Spirit, John xvi. 7 — 1 1 ; as a priest, compassionating and relieving all their spi- ritual necessities, Heb. ii. 18. and iv. 15. IL Our duty towards Him in relation to them —
We should consider him in these characters : with attention, that we may have the fullest knowledge of him ; with faith, that we derive all benefit from them ; with gratitude, that we may give him the glory of them.
Address —
1. Those who profess to be " partakers of the heavenly calling" — If indeed you have experienced the power of divine grace, you will
need no incentives to this duty. To contemplate the Lord Jesus Christ in all his excellency and glory, will be the richest delight of your souls.
2. To those who are strangers to this holy exercise —
Alas ! what do you lose ! There is no other subject under heaven that would so repay your labour. The more you delight yourselves in Christ, the more evidence you will have of his grace in your souls, and the better preparation for his glory.