01.01a. Section 1 contd

APPLICATION. I now proceed to the application of all to ourselves, which is the third thing in order to be handled, and I shall make three uses of it.

1st, For Consolation.

2nd, For Examination.

3rd, For Exhortation.

First, for CONSOLATION. Is it so that Christ loves us with an everlasting and never-dying love? Why, then, here is comfort for you who are his people. I speak only now to such. "Comfort, comfort, comfort, my people," says God, Isaiah 40:1. And Christ says, "Let not your hearts be troubled." John 14:1. Christ would not have his poor saints troubled!

"Rejoice evermore!" says the apostle in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. "Rejoice evermore!" Alas! how can we rejoice? When men vilify us, when men reproach us, and abuse us, and persecute us—how can we rejoice? But harken what Christ says, "Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name’s sake." Matthew 5:11. Mark, Blessedness goes in the first place, "Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you."

Oh sirs, it is a matter of blessedness, and therefore be not cast down. You know what was said of old, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world!" John 16:33. Cheer up, Christian! this world is all the hell that you shall ever have! Here you have your bad things—your good things are yet to come! Here you have your bitter things—but your sweet things are yet to come! Here you have your prison—but your palace is yet to come! Here you have your rags—your royal robes are yet to come! Here you have your sorrow—your joy is yet to come! Here you have your hell, your heaven is yet to come! After the cup of affliction, comes the cup of salvation! The sweetness of the crown which shall be enjoyed—will make amends for the bitterness of the cross which was endured. "Then the King will say to those on His right—Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world!" Matthew 25:34

One passing by a place where a cross lay on the ground, he lifted it up, and found much riches and treasure under it. Oh, sirs, under the greatest troubles—lie your greatest treasures! The seed of sorrow on earth—shall reap a golden crop of joy in heaven! Those who sow holiness in the seed-time of their lives—shall reap happiness in the harvest of eternity! Oh! sirs, never think to have an end of your sorrow—until there be an end of your sin! The apostle tells us, "Our light affliction, which is for a moment—works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!" A grain of affliction—to a weight of glory! Oh what a short moment of pain—to an eternity of pleasures! Therefore saints, be of good cheer! Here is comfort for you—your best days are yet to come! You are subjects of King Jesus, who loves you entirely and infinitely, with an undying love!

Use 2. For the use of EXAMINATION. Is it so—that the saints’ love to Christ is vehement and strong? Why then, I beseech you examine, and try, and search yourselves—how does your pulse beat after Christ? Oh that you would examine yourselves, that you may know whose you are while you live, and where you shall go when you die, and what will become of you to eternity! Oh sirs! Do you love Christ? Are you love-sick for Christ? For the Lord’s sake, sirs, examine yourself, and see whether you have true love to Christ.

It is to be feared, there are but few in the world, who are sick with this disease. Many are love-sick for honors—which are but rattles to still men’s ambitions! Many are love-sick for gold and silver, which is but a little shining dirt! Many men are love-sick for blood, who eat up the Lord’s people like bread! God will lay on them the hand of vengeance, who lay on his saints the hand of violence! Many are love-sick with superstition, and the human traditions of men—which, instead of bringing their souls to heaven, will beguile them of heaven! Alas! many are sick of their sufferings! But who need to fear the cross—who are sure of the crown? But oh! how few are there that are love-sick for Christ! how many are therein this congregation that are love-sick for Christ? For the Lord’s sake, do not deceive yourselves; you see the spouse was ready to swoon, and faint, and die for Christ!

Secondly, Her love was as strong as death; nay, stronger than death! Is your love so? Oh soul! can you endure a prison for Christ, burning for Christ, hanging for Christ, forsaking all for Christ? Will you venture on the waves for Christ, as Peter did? Oh, sirs, for the Lord’s sake, look to yourselves! There are many who profess love to Christ in words—but more that deny him in their works! God was never more in men’s mouths—and never less in men’s lives! Beloved, is your love for Christ like the grave, never satisfied? Do you cry out more for Christ? "Oh, give me Christ—and let others have the world." Is this flame in your souls? For the Lord’s sake try yourselves, deal cordially with your poor souls!

Now, beloved, I have given you a taste of sincere love to Christ. Blessed are they who cast their love into the sweet bosom of their Maker.

Use 3. I shall now close all with a word of EXHORTATION. Well, sirs, if I should preach here until tomorrow morning, what more can I say to make you to love Christ? He is most lovely, "he is altogether lovely!" Therefore, love Christ, love Christ! All springs of love are in him!

O, sirs, love Christ—for if you do not, there is a dreadful curse pronounced against you! "If anyone does not love the Lord—that person is cursed!" 1 Corinthians 16:22. There is no heaven, no happiness, no crown, without Christ! For in him does all fullness dwell; all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ, and the Father gives forth all his loving kindness through Christ. Beloved, is it not better swimming in the water-works of sincere repentance, than burning in the fire-works of divine vengeance! One of them you must experience! There is no coming to the fair haven of glory—without sailing through the narrow strait of repentance!

Plead what you will, unless you believe in your Savior, your souls will be miserable forever; and therefore consider what I have said, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Love Christ more than ever, more than all, and above all—and then you shall be happy forevermore!

Christ is a King, Priest, and Prophet.

He is a King for government and rule.

He is a Priest for sacrifice and intercession.

He is a Prophet for teaching and revealing the secrets of his Father’s bosom.

Beloved, you know how far we proceeded in our last section—that Jesus Christ is the King of kings, and does surmount and excel all other kings. And it is as King of kings, that Jesus Christ loves all his subjects, and all his subjects love him. And I showed you the wonderful love of Christ to his subjects, and his subjects’ love to him in many particulars. I now proceed to other particulars, wherein Christ excels the kings of the earth.

Seventhly, Jesus Christ makes all his subjects—his subjects do not make him. "By him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth," Colossians 1:19. By whom? By Jesus Christ—by Christ were all things created. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not, John 1:10. So in John 1:3, "All things were made by him, and without him was nothing made." There was nothing made without Christ—all things were made by Christ. Beloved, Jesus Christ creates his subjects; he makes his subjects; and gives being to his subjects.

"In him we live, move, and have our being." He gives us a threefold being: our first being in the state of nature, our second being in the state of grace, and our third being in the state of glory. This is the seventh thing wherein Jesus Christ excels all other kings; he makes his subjects, which none else can do.

Eighthly, Christ is the richest of all kings.

O sirs, he is rich in love, he is rich in knowledge, rich in goodness, rich in wisdom, rich in grace, rich in glory! He is as rich as the Father himself; the riches of the Deity are in him! "In him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily," Colossians 2:9.

O sirs, in him there dwells all fullness. Of what? Why, of the Godhead! Alas! sirs, what are princes’ single crowns, or the pope’s triple crown—compared to Christ’s many crowns? Christ has not one, or two, or three crowns—but many crowns upon his head! Revelation 19:12, "His eyes were bright like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns!"

Christ is richer than any king—nay, richer than all the kings in the world, "for he is heir of all things," Hebrews 1:2. He is the greatest heir in heaven and earth! The Spanish ambassador coming to see the treasure of the cathedral at Venice, which was so much cried up through the world for a famous treasury—he fell a groping into it, to find whether it had any bottom. And being asked the reason of it, said he, "My master’s treasury differs from yours in this—his has no bottom as yours has!" alluding to the mines of the Indies. But alas! what is the proud Spaniard’s treasure, compared to Christ’s treasure? And what are his mines, compared to Christ’s mines? What are all the jewels, and diamonds, and crowns, and the scepters of all the kings of the earth, compared to Christ’s treasures?

"The whole Turkish empire, which is a great part of the world indeed," says Luther, "is but a crust that God throws to dogs—it is no more than a bone, a crust that God throws to dogs!" O! sirs, Christ’s riches are so many—that they cannot be numbered! They are so precious—that they cannot be valued! They are so great—they cannot be measured! O the infinite riches of our King! Christ is a mine of gold, which we will dig into throughout all eternity!

Ninthly, Christ excels all other kings in this too—he is a king whose POWER is absolute over all nations, and people, and kindred, and tongues. Now, sirs—his will is law! No man’s will in the world is sufficient to be a law—but the will of our King is sufficient.

Tenthly, Jesus Christ is a King who rules over the souls and consciences of men, over the wills and hearts of men! Other kings may rule over the estates of men, over the bodies of men—but not over their consciences! Now this is Christ’s glory, which he will give to no other—Christ by his power is able to subdue the wills of men, and the hearts of men, though ever so stubborn and stout before. All the power of the world cannot do this! If all the kings, and princes, and emperors, of the world were put together—they would not be able to subdue the heart of one poor man! They may beat his body, afflict his body, torment his body—but as for his heart, I say—all the kings and potentates in the world, nay, all the angels in heaven, cannot subdue the heart of a poor man! And this is the glory of Christ—than he can do this. Heart work is God’s work. The great heart-maker must be the great heart-breaker! None can do it but he.

Eleventhly, Christ is a King who has no need of any instruments. He makes use of them sometimes, but he needs none! Alas! sirs, what can the kings of the earth do without instruments? How can they govern their kingdoms without instruments? They must have this instrument here, and the other there—or else quick farewell crown and kingdom! But Jesus Christ has no need of any, he can simply do anything by his own power. By HIMSELF he destroyed Pharaoh and his great army in the Red sea, Exodus 14:1-31. By himself he overthrew Jericho, that great city, Joshua 6:1-27. By himself he smote the vast army of a million men—the greatest army that ever we read of, 2 Chronicles 14:1-15. By himself he overthrew Ammon and Moab, and the nations who warred against Judah. This now, he did by himself.

Secondly, See what he has done by WEAK means. He smote the kings about Sodom, even by Abraham and his poor family, Genesis 23:1-20. By weak means he overthrew that mighty army of the Midianites, by Gideon’s 300 men, Judges 7:1-25. By weak means he destroyed the great Goliath—even by David; and the great warrior Sisera—by a woman. By weak means he destroyed a garrison of the Philistines, even by Jonathan and his armor-bearer, 1 Samuel 14:4. Now this he did by weak means—and much more!

Now, Thirdly, See what he did CONTRARY to means. Why, contrary to means—he delivered the three Hebrew children from being burned in the blazing fire! Contrary to means, he delivered Jonah from drowning in the sea. Contrary to means, he delivered Daniel from being devoured in the den of lions. Contrary to means, he kept the Israelites from being drowned, being in the sea. I say, this he did contrary to means. And I might show you what he has done by contrary means—but I pass by that. So that you see that our King has no need of instruments, and therefore he wonderfully excels all other kings.

Twelfthly, Christ is a King who will overcome and subdue all our enemies! Yes, ALL our enemies, both spiritual and temporal—he will utterly overthrow! Our enemies are very many, and very mighty! They are high in power, and high in pride—and we very weak! We may well speak in David’s words, "I am weak this day—though anointed king." How David—weak today, and yet made a king today? Yes, says he, the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me! Why, believers, you are all kings in a spiritual sense—you are kings, elected kings in a disguise; but yet, poor hearts, you are weak, though you are kings elected; the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for you!

Why—but sirs, Jesus Christ is a King of kings, a King above all kings, and over all kings, and he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet, 1 Corinthians 15:25. Mark, "He must reign!" He must of necessity, for God has spoken it, until he has put all enemies under his feet, not only some—but all.

O! this is good news to saints, excellent news; what king can do this but Christ? What king can put all his enemies under his feet? What earthly king can subdue all his enemies? Alas! they cannot subdue their own; for the most flourishing kings that we read of, have fallen before their enemies for lack of strength. But Jesus Christ can subdue all his enemies; he has all power in heaven and in earth given to him, (Matthew 28:18). So that if he but speaks the word, all his enemies are overthrown, even in a moment! In the thirteenth place, Christ surmounts all other kings in this; he is a King that gives his subjects the richest and the best gifts of any other king! John 10:27-28. "My sheep," says he, "hear my voice, and they know me, and they follow me, and I give to them eternal life." The wise God, that he may invite and encourage poor sinners to a holiness of life, sets before their eyes the recompense of reward; that if the equity of his precepts do not prevail—the excellency of his promises may; he would gladly catch men with a golden bait.

Abraham’s servant gave jewels of silver, and jewels of gold to Rebekah, that he might win her heart over to Isaac, in Genesis 24:23. Oh! the jewels, the excellent jewels that Christ gives to poor souls to win their heart to him! Christ gives us richly all things to enjoy—what more can we desire!

Alas! the men of the earth give but poorly and scantily—but Christ gives richly! Christ gives freely—no man in the world gives so freely as Christ! Christ gives frequently, every day, every hour he scatters jewels to poor souls. The great king of Persia gave a gift two of his courtiers—to the one a golden cup, to the other a kiss, and he who had the cup complained to the king, that his fellow’s kiss was better than his golden cup. Oh! sirs, Christ does not put off with a cup of gold—but he gives us his kiss! He gives best gifts to his beloved ones, he gives his best love, his best joy, his best peace, his best mercies. Oh! where is there a king like this King?

Alas! earthly kings may give great titles, or a place in the court, and the like. They may give a title today, and a halter tomorrow, as in the case of Haman. They may smile today—and frown tomorrow. They may kiss today—and kill tomorrow. But not so does Christ give; he gives the best of everything, the best of his love, his best blood, not the blood of his finger—but the blood of his heart.

Oh, sirs, how far does Christ excel all others in giving his subjects the best gifts! Oh, sirs, what a gift is heaven! what a gift is a pardon of sin! I wonder what earthly king can give his people such gifts; and herein the Lord Jesus excels all others. In the last place, Christ makes all his subjects free. There is not one subject that he has—but is a free man or woman. There are some things that Christ frees from—and some things that he makes us free of. Some things that he frees us from—and what are they? Why, that which if we were not freed from, would undo us to all eternity.

First, He frees us from the CURSE—the cursed curse! If Christ had not freed us from the curse—we would have lived cursedly, and died most cursedly, and been damned forever; but Jesus Christ has freed us. "Stand fast," says Paul, "in the liberty with which Christ has made you free." And in John 8:36, "If the Son makes you free—then are you free indeed!"

Again, he frees us from the GUILT of sin. Our pride would damn us, our covetousness would damn us, our unbelief would damn us, had he not freed us from the guilt of sin; but Christ frees his people from this.

Again, he has freed us from the power of the DEVIL, insomuch that the devil has nothing to do with us. And he frees us from the flames of HELL, from the pit of hell. Christ has freed us from hell and damnation. "He has freed us from the wrath to come,’’ that is, Christ has freed us from the flames of hell.

Again, Christ has freed us from the yoke of bondage, in Galatians 5:1, "Stand fast in the liberty with which Christ has made you free, and be not again entangled in the yoke of bondage." We are no longer strangers and foreigners—but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God," Ephesians 2:19. And Christ tells us himself, in Matthew 11:30, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Here on earth, we have burden upon burden, and yoke upon yoke; but says Christ, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Christ has delivered us from the slavery of the LAW. We are not under the law—but under grace. The above things we are free FROM. But there are other things that we are made free TO: to heaven, to all the promises, and to all the privileges of the saints.

Now, is not this a wonderful mercy that our King has done for us; he has freed us from all those miseries which would ruin us forever—and made us free to all the excellent privileges which poor souls can enjoy. Now, O! how far does Christ excel all other kings! The rulers of the earth, they may perhaps lay heavy burdens upon the consciences of men, and bodies of men, and estates of men—but Christ lays no such burdens upon us; no, Christ has made us free—and no people are so free, because Christ has freed us upon the cross. Christ bought our freedom dearly enough; it cost him his best blood, his noble blood.

I might name more particulars, wherein Christ excels all other kings; but I think these are very sufficient to demonstrate it.

I shall close upon this head with a word of APPLICATION, and so shall finish Christ’s second title, "King of kings".

Use 1. Is it so that Christ is a threefold King, as I have showed you? And is he a King that does so far surpass all the kings of the earth? Oh! then, however the world goes with us—here is comfort for saints, that Christ is such a king! Oh! what a mercy is this! What a comfort is this to the Lord’s people—that Christ is King above all kings, and over all kings, and must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet! All his enemies must be brought down and made his footstool.

Some earthly kings would do great matters—but they lack power. But Christ is omnipotent; for all power is in heaven and in earth is his! Now, sirs, did you really believe this, that all power is certainly given to Christ, certainly it would be a cordial to revive you in the worst times, and saddest of trials. He, who is our Savior, he who is our Head, our Brother, our Friend—is King of kings! Oh! sirs, this doctrine of Christ’s kingly power, is a very sweet doctrine to the members of Christ! And, I beseech you, let these considerations which I have laid before you, bear up your spirits.

I have showed you how Christ loves his subjects with an entire love; that he is King of kings, and can do anything without instruments; that he needs none to help him to do his work; that he can, if he pleases, enable the most despicable creatures, as flies, and frogs, and caterpillars, and grasshoppers, to do his work; therefore let these considerations take impression upon your souls.

Now I have told you a relation of Christ’s kingly power; and therefore let this quiet your spirits, "Be still," says the Lord, "and know that I am God," in Psalms 46:10. That is, "It is enough for you to know that I am God, and therefore be still, consider what I am."

Use 2. By way of exhortation, I have one word to say to the saints—and another to sinners.

First, To saints. If it is so, that Christ is King of kings, and King above all kings, and over all kings—oh! then you who are the people of God, you who are near and dear to him, upon whom, and in whom Christ is formed and stamped; oh, that you would give all the glory, and praise and honor, to Christ, and study to advance his fame!

He has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light, says the apostle, to show forth his praise. Oh, sirs, this should be our great endeavor. Oh, that you who pretend friendship and love to Christ, would endeavor in your places to advance Christ.

Secondly, To sinners. A word or two to such as are not the subjects of Christ; let me exhort you to believe in Christ, embrace him, receive him, to lay hold upon him! Oh! you should give ten thousand worlds, if you had them to give, for a part in Christ. Alas! sinner, what is the reason that Christ is no more in your esteem? You will part with Christ—rather than part with your swearing, and drunkenness, and filthiness. Oh this is sad, for there is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved. He is the Desire of all nations, and we can never be happy without him! And therefore, for the Lord’s sake, sirs, as you love your own souls—lay hold on him, that he may be the Savior of your souls, the joy of your hearts, and your all in all. Oh that I could but tempt you to Christ! Oh that I could prevail with you to love Christ, and to have strong desires after him!

Alas! sirs, if you do not believe, and part with all your iniquities—you must part with Christ at last! Ah, what a sad parting will that be—to part with God, and Christ, and heaven! When you will come to know what you have lost by hugging your darling corruptions; oh what a sad condition will it be! And therefore I beseech you, think of it in time, and believe in the Savior—that your souls may be saved in the day of Christ! THE MIGHTY GOD "He is altogether lovely!" Song of Solomon 5:16 Doctrine—That Jesus Christ is infinitely and superlatively lovely.

"His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

I finished the second title which is given to Christ in Scripture, King of Kings. I now proceed to a third, and that is, Mighty God. One of Christ’s titles is, the Mighty God.

Beloved, I have showed you from the second title, that Christ is a King, a King above all kings, and a King over all kings, and the King of kings, and that his laws are most equal, and his subjects most happy—having no other tax laid upon them than love and fear. But now this title holds him forth, not only as a great King—but as a GREAT GOD, before whom all kings and kingdoms are but as little drops, or as small dust, Isaiah 40:15. From this title, The Mighty God, I shall lay down this proposition, That Jesus Christ is true and perfect God. That is the point I shall insist upon.

There are two sorts of people in the world that deny my doctrine, who deny the Deity of Jesus Christ, who say the second Person of the Trinity is not God.

First, The unbelieving Jews; if Christ had come as the Jews dreamed, as a great monarch, treading upon nothing but crowns and scepters, and the necks of kings, and had all the potentates of the earth to attend his train; I say, had Christ came in this worldly glory, and pomp, and power—then it may be that the Jews would have believed on him; maybe then he would have been their God. But now, beloved, because Christ came poorly and lowly, and made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant; therefore the Jews slighted him, and disowned him. The Turks mock us at this day with our "crucified God". Oh, say they, "you worship a crucified God!" And some of the heathen say they would not believe in a "hanged God". Oh blessed Jesus, thus are you reproached and despised by the unbelieving world, because you came and lived poorly, and died shamefully for our sins. Those who despise the death of the Lamb—shall surely feel the wrath of the Lamb! Those who turn away their ears from hearing Christ’s voice now—Christ will turn away his ears from hearing their cries then!

Secondly, There are others who deny the Deity of Christ in this nation, who say that Christ is but a mere man, and that every saint is as much God as Christ. And others say, that to equal Christ with God is high blasphemy. Those who will not own Christ in his first coming—Christ will not own them at his second coming! Those who will not obey the truth of God revealed from heaven unto them—shall suffer the wrath of God revealed from heaven against them!

Express Scripture speaks it forth, that Jesus Christ is true and perfect God. Titus 2:13 says, "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearance of the great God." Mark, Christ is here not only called God—but the great God. Oh, saints, he who came from heaven to make us righteous—will also come from heaven to make us glorious! Not only so—but Christ is also called Mighty God; nay, not only Mighty God—but again, "God blessed forever." Romans 9:5. Christ is God blessed forever. Not only blessed forever—but the true God, 1 John 4:20. Jesus Christ is there called the true God; and not only the true God—but a God forever and ever, Hebrews 1:8. Mark there, "unto the Son he says, Your throne O God is forever and ever!" The Father himself calls the Son, God—and therefore well may we.

Thus you see the doctrine fully proved, that Jesus Christ is the true and perfect God. But, beloved, because the Deity of Christ is so much questioned at this day, and this being one of the serious and chief points in divinity, therefore I shall give you some considerations, or demonstrations, or arguments, to fortify you against this great error before named.

First, That Jesus Christ is true and perfect God.

Jesus is for TIME, co-eternal with the Father.

Jesus is for NATURE, co-essential with the Father.

Jesus is for DIGNITY, co-equal with the Father.

First, Jesus is for TIME, co-eternal with the Father. John 17:5, "Oh Father, glorify me with yourself, with the glory which I had with you before the world was." You see here, sirs, Christ was before the world was, Christ was from everlasting, from the beginning, Proverbs 8:23, speaking concerning Christ, "I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began." And therefore Christ is called the Everlasting Father in Isaiah 9:6. Revelation 1:8, Christ here, speaking of himself, says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty!"

Mark, sirs, Christ is the same in time, before time, and after time, "Who is, and who was, and who is to come."

Now, beloved, none can be eternal—but God. Christ is eternal, and therefore he is God, and co-eternal with his Father.

Second, Jesus is for NATURE, co-essential with the Father. "I and my Father are one," says Christ in John 10:30. "There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, and these three are one." Mark here, they are one.

John 14:8, When Philip desires to see the Father, "Show us the Father—and it is enough;" says Christ, in John 14:9-10, "He who has seen me has seen the Father." How so? "For I am in the Father, and the Father is in me." So that you see Christ is more than mere man; he is one with the Father. Oh, sirs, he is God-man. If you make the Son mere man, you must make the Father mere man also.

Third, Jesus is for DIGNITY, co-equal with the Father. Php 2:6, "Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with the Father." Christ thought it no diminution of his Father’s glory—to be equal with his Father in glory. And you shall further find that all the honor which belongs to God—the Father has commanded us to give it to the Son. "That all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him" John 5:23.

Therefore it is clear to every eye, that Christ is for dignity, co-equal with the Father; for the Father has commanded us to give the same honor to Christ which is due to him. Therefore it is no blasphemy at all, certainly, to equal Christ with God; for in him are the riches of the Deity, and the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in him; as you may see Colossians 2:9. This is the first argument. He is for time co-eternal, for nature co-essential, for dignity coequal with the Father.

Secondly, consider the work of CREATION. I shall lay down this argument to prove the Deity of Jesus Christ: surely he who made heaven and earth, must needs be a God; you will yield to this. So says the Lord himself, "These ’gods’, who did not make the heavens and the earth—will perish from the earth and from under the heavens." Jeremiah 10:11. But now, beloved, Jesus Christ made the heavens and the earth, and all things therein, and therefore he is God! See a few Scriptures for this, John 1:3, "All things were made by him;" mark, this is by Christ! All things were made by him, and without him was nothing made that was made, Colossians 1:16, "By him were all things created in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible; all things were by him, and for him." So again, John 1:10, "He was in the world, and the world was made by him." Now, beloved, had Christ been less than God, he could not have made heaven and earth, and therefore he is God of glory, the great God who now sits upon the throne; for he created the heavens and the earth, and all things therein.

Thirdly, That Christ is the true and perfect God, appears—if you consider the WORKS and MIRACLES which he did in the days of his flesh; here is another unanswerable argument to prove the Godhead of Jesus Christ. The winds and the seas obey him, the devils came out of the possessed, the blind received their sight, the lame walked, the deaf heard, the dumb spoke, lepers were cleansed, the dead were raised, the sick were healed. Oh, who could do this but God? But you may say, the apostles did great miracles, and yet were not gods. Why, it is true they did great miracles; but in whose name did they do them? Was it in their own names—and by their own power? No, beloved! They themselves confess the contrary, Acts 4:10. They tell you, it is not in their own power—but in the name and power of Jesus Christ. Beloved, this is a strong argument to prove the Deity of Christ; they did great miracles in his name, and by his power! And with this argument, Jesus satisfied the disciples of John, "Go and tell what things you hear and see—how the lame walk, and the blind receive their sight."

Now, I say, these great miracles could be done by none but by a great God; and therefore Jesus Christ is not only the Son of man—but the Son of God, even God blessed forever.

But, Fourthly, Consider divine WORSHIP is due unto Christ. Worship only is proper to God alone. "Worship him who made heaven, and earth, and the sea," said the angel in Revelation 14:7.

Now, beloved, all the acts of worship that belong to God the Father, are given to the Son Jesus Christ; both angels and men are commanded to worship him. Hebrews 1:6, "Let all the angels of God worship him!" Php 2:10, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, both of all things in heaven, and on earth." Mark, sirs, things in heaven, as well as things on earth, must worship Christ; and Christ himself says in John 14:1, "You believe in God, believe also in me." Now, beloved, we are commanded to pray to Christ, to glorify Christ, to believe in Christ, to honor Christ, and worship Christ; and therefore the saints have prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," as Stephen did. So that you see worship is due to Christ, both from angels and men—and therefore he must needs be God.

Fifthly, There are clear promises of the coming of Christ under the Old Testament. No sooner was man fallen—but Christ was promised, "The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head." All the prophets foretold of the Messiah, (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Daniel, Malachi, and the rest of them,) how falsely he would be accused, how basely he should be used, and this will be enough to condemn the unbelieving Jews, and make them speechless in the great day of accounts. I might give you the sayings of the same prophets—but you may find them yourselves; search the Old Testament, and you shall find them all speak more or less of Jesus Christ. Thus I have clearly proved, by express Scripture and undeniable arguments, that Jesus Christ is true and perfect God. I proceed to the USE and APPLICATION of it to ourselves. The First use shall be for INFORMATION. If it is so that Jesus is true and perfect God, then, though this is a strange truth to some—yet it is a sound truth; though the mystery is deep—yet the divinity is true, that he who made man became man, suffered by man, and for man, is Jesus, the true and perfect God. "Without controversy," says the apostle, "great is the mystery of godliness." What is the mystery? "God was manifested in the flesh!" 1 Timothy 3:16. Without controversy, without all doubt, a great mystery, says the apostle "God was manifested in the flesh!" And truly, sirs, it is a great mystery: for happiness—to become a curse; for him who made the angels—to become lower than the angels; for the Creator—to become a creature; for him who had the riches of all in himself—to become poor. Oh! this is a great mystery, that he whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain—that his glory should be enwrapped in the rags of flesh; that the great God should take upon him a piece of earth; that he who hangs the earth upon nothing—should hang upon a cross between two thieves! Truly a great mystery; that he who rules the stars—should suck the breast; that he who thunders in the clouds—should be cradled in a manger. Oh! a great mystery, that Abraham’s Lord—should become Abraham’s son; that the God of Abraham should take upon him Abraham’s seed; what a mystery is this! He was conceived in the womb of his mother, that he might be received into the bosom of his Father. "Therefore," says the apostle, "without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness, God manifested in the flesh." God’s Son became man’s son—that we poor man’s sons might become God’s sons.

But, Secondly, is Jesus Christ true and perfect God? My second inference is this—That Jesus is a precious God! He is honey in the mouth, beauty in the eye, joy in the heart, and music in the ear.

"Let all their money perish with them—who esteem all the gold in the world worth one day’s society with Jesus Christ!" said a great Marquis, when he was tempted with money.

Oh! sirs, Christ’s members are the happiest, Christ’s comforts are the sweetest, Christ’s reward is the highest, Christ’s precepts are the purest, Christ’s glory is the greatest, Christ’s love is the truest, Christ’s riches are the most precious! He is the glory of God, the paradise of angels, the beauty of heaven, the Redeemer of men. In Hebrews 1:3, he is called "the radiance of God’s glory," he is the riches jewel in the cabinet of glory, he is the sparkling pearl; whoever has him cannot be poor—but whoever lacks him cannot be rich.

Thirdly, If Christ is the true and perfect God—then Christ’s members are the greatest and happiest! If Christ is God Almighty’s only Son, believers are God Almighty’s only daughters. You read of God’s daughters in Psalms 45:1-17. Christ is the King—and believers are his queen! Christ is the Bridegroom—and believers are his bride! Christ is the Lamb—and believers are his wife! Revelation 21:9.

What more shall I say? The angels in glory are in a very glorious state—but let me tell you, believers in Christ are higher than angels. They are servants, we are members. They are the friends of the Bridegroom, we are the bride. They have their personal glory, we have the same glory, for substance, with Jesus Christ! John 17:22, "The glory which you have given me," says Christ, "I have given them." Believers are nearer the throne than angels—this wonderfully speaks out that we are higher than the angels. Oh! beloved, how great are believers advanced! how high have we become, poor dust and ashes—to be above angels! and this is the greatest happiness, which we get by Christ’s assuming our nature for the salvation of our souls.

Again, Christ’s members be not only the greatest—but the happiest! Our renewed condition is as good in Christ—as it was bad in Adam. Oh, sirs, we were no more cursed out of Christ—than we were blessed in Christ! Christ is as full of life—as Adam was full of death! Christ is as full of sweetness to us—as Adam was of bitterness to us! Truly, soul, if you say Christ is yours—I will say, "Soul, you have that which is of more worth than a king’s ransom! You have that which is more worth than all that which the devil promised Christ, when he showed him all the kingdoms of the world!" Oh! the happiness of poor believers! "There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus," says Paul in Romans 8:1. Therefore they are happy.

But, Fourthly, Christ Jesus is true and perfect God. Then we infer from hence, that God’s love and goodwill to mankind was very great, that Jesus Christ should come from heaven to take our nature—that we might be partakers of the divine nature. Christ took upon him our shame—that we might be partakers of his glory. One drop of his blood—is worth a sea of ours; and yet he died our death—that we might live his life; he suffered our hell—that we might enjoy his heaven. Oh! how infinitely did he love us! He endured the sorest pains—that we might enjoy the sweetest pleasures!

"The voice of my Beloved! Look! Here He comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills!" Song of Solomon 2:8. The Scriptures tell us that Jesus came leaping! He came with such love—that He came leaping! When a man goes leaping—you may know that it was with a great eagerness. Jesus came leaping—how so? He came leaping . . . from the throne to the womb, from the womb to the cradle, from the cradle to the cross, and from thence to the throne again! This was His great leap! Oh! sirs, oh! sirs, how eagerly did Jesus suffer and die for poor believers! He was hanged upon the cross on mount Calvary—that we might sit on the throne with him on mount Zion!

Fifthly, by way of EXHORTATION. To unrepentant sinners, to unbelievers, to graceless people, I have a few words to say. "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed." Romans 2:4-5

Oh! sirs, oh! sirs, methinks I can only do towards you, as Christ did once toward Jerusalem, when he came near the city—he wept over it! Truly, sinner, your state is a weeping state; your state is a miserable state! You lie open to all the wrath, to all the vengeance, to all the curses under heaven!

Oh poor miserable sinners—will you not pity yourselves? The Lord of heaven pities you! Did Jesus Christ come from heaven to you sinners—and will not you come out of your sin to come to Christ? Did Christ come from his Father’s bosom, and leave his throne and crown, and all his glory—to come to a poor lost world, and to die and suffer here for poor lost sinners? And what, sinners—will all this make no impression upon you? Let me tell you, sirs, Christ came into the world, for no other end and reason—but only to die for poor sinners. It was the great design of Christ to save poor sinners. Sirs, if you will not credit me—then look into the Scripture, and then surely you will believe it, 1 Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying," says the apostle, "and worthy of all acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." Mark sirs, he came into the world to save sinners! Christ hanged upon the cross, and wept upon the cross, and died upon the cross—to save sinners! All the hardships, all the trials and sufferings which he met with—it was for the sake of poor sinners. Christ has suffered all this woe and misery for sinners—and will not you leave your swearing, and your drunkenness, and your wickedness for Christ? Oh! the sad, sad day that is coming on you! How can you answer this before God Almighty, that Jesus Christ, the King of kings, should come into the world, and abase himself so much as to be in a poor and suffering state—and yet this should have no affect on you!

Oh! who will pity you who would not pity yourselves—when you are damned—when you are howling and roaring in hell? Oh! for the Lord’s sake, consider that God should come and take our nature, and that he should take our rags—that we might wear his glorious robes! What, will you rather remain in your sins and die and go to hell—than come to Christ for eternal life? Oh! sinner, for the Lord’s sake, put off your beggar’s rags—that you may put on his lovely robes.

I have read of Alexander the Great, that when he came against a city, he used to set up a candle, and if they yielded to him before the candle was out, they would be shown mercy—but if they stood out against Alexander, they could expect nothing but death. Oh! sirs, Christ sets up a candle—and if you will come in today, you shall have mercy! But if you do not yield to him—you will have none of his mercy. If all the angels and saints in heaven would fall upon their knees, and say, "Oh! Lord, spare this poor creature, one grain of mercy for him!" it would not be regarded, the Lord will not hear them! And therefore, consider that men are sentenced to hell, not only for their sinfulness—but for their slothfulness! Men may perish for being unprofitable servants—as well as for being abominable sinners!

Methinks you should take as much delight in those precepts that enjoin holiness—as in those promises that assure happiness! If the day of mercy leaves you graceless—the day of judgment will find you speechless! Though you may resist the judgment that he lays before you—yet you can never resist the judgment that he lays upon you! There is no standing before Christ—but by standing in Christ. Ungodly men fear no wrath—because they presently feel no wrath. Because their sin is now unpunished—they think there is no punishment for their sins! Because God continues to spare them—they go on to provoke him! Because he adds to their lives—they add to their lusts! Because he is very merciful—they will be very sinful! Because He is very good to them—they will be very bad to him! Because justice now winks—men think he is blind! Because he does not reprove them for their sins—therefore they think he approves them in their sins! But JUSTICE will soon avenge the quarrel of abused mercy! The longer God forbears, not finding amendment, the sorer he strikes when he comes to judgment.

Oh! sinners, though the patience of God is lasting—it is not everlasting! If by the warnings of God, you are not alarmed—you shall be consumed by his wrath! The longer God is in raising his arm—the heavier will be the blow when it comes! "I gave her time to repent, but she would not turn away from her immorality." What follows? "Therefore, I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely!" Revelation 2:21. The day that begins in mercy—may end in judgment! God is silent for only so long; but know, that God has vials of wrath filled with indignation—for vessels of wrath fitted for destruction! If God’s mercy does not draw you to repentance—God’s judgments will drive you to destruction! The sea of damnation shall not be sweetened with a drop of compassion!

Oh! sinners, either seek out a Savior to deliver you from the wrath of God—or else find out a shoulder to bear you up under the wrath of God!

Oh, that you would consider your ways! Has not God said, "You can be sure that no immoral, no impure, no greedy person, no swearer, no drunkard—shall enter into the kingdom of heaven?" And such are some of you! God knows it, and your own consciences know it! And yet you flatter yourselves, and speak peace to yourselves—when God speaks not a word of peace to you. Oh! sinners, think of this—before the bottomless pit has shut its mouth upon you! Oh, do no longer forget God and your own salvation! Hebrews 2:3, "How will we escape—if we neglect such a great salvation!" If you neglect the great salvation—you cannot escape the great damnation!

Sixthly, Believers, let me beseech you to stand fast, and to hold fast that which you have already, Revelation 2:19. "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life!" He has a crown for runners—but a curse for runaways! As you look for happiness as long as God has a being in heaven—so God looks for holiness as long as you have a being on earth! "As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them," Galatians 6:16. To tread in any other path but holiness on earth—is but to mistake your way to heaven! While you are on this side of eternity—you must hold the scepter of grace in your hands, until God set the crown of glory upon your heads! This is the sparkling diamond that is set in the apostle’s crown, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7. O believer! it will be your happiness, your glory, your honor throughout eternity—if you are faithful while on earth. Oh! do not turn your backs upon the truths of God, as too many in our days have done. That man’s beginning was in hypocrisy, whose end is in apostasy; indifference in religion is the next step to apostasy from religion.

Oh! do not make him a stone of stumbling, whom God has made a stone for building. If the golden chain of duty will not hold you—the iron chain of darkness shall bind you. If you abuse your liberty in this world—you shall lose your liberty in the next world. That soul was never related to Christ—that was never devoted to Christ; there is no obtaining the prize of happiness—without running the race of holiness!

Oh! for the Lord’s sake, do not you begin in the spirit—and end in the flesh. O do not put your hand to the plough—and look backward. Be not true to the father of lies—and false to the Father of truth! Keep close to the Son of God, to the Word of God, to the ordinances of God, to the day of God, to the ministers of God, to the people of God—and you will be safe. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!" Galatians 6:9.