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truth, there is a monument of our Lord's success, epistle of Christ known and read of all men.'

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We might further illustrate his success by enumerating the benefits which his mediation has procured: but as these constituted a part of that reward which was conferred on him, we shall wave the mention of them in this place, and proceed to consider

II. His advancement after he had completed his work.

Our Lord, as a servant, "had respect unto the recompence of reward:" "for the joy that was set before him he endured the cross and despised the shame." Nor was this reward withheld from him, when he had finished his work. St. Paul tells us expressly, that his resurrection and consequent ascension are to be regarded in this view: "He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; therefore God hath exalted him." Of this also the prophet spake in the words before us: "He shall be exalted, and extolled, and be very high." Whether the prophet meant to point out three different steps of our Lord's advancement, we cannot positively say: but his words may well bear that interpretation; "he shall be exalted" by God to a throne of glory; "he shall be extolled" by men with adoration and thanksgiving; and he shall be very high," reigning as Head over men and angels for ever and ever. In this view his advancement may be considered as immediate, remote, and final.

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His immediate advancement consisted in his resurrection from the dead, and his elevation to the right hand of the Majesty on high, according to what is said by the apostle; God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth." He, who left his glory for our good, resumed it again; and his human nature is made to participate his glory: yes; that very body, which endured fatigue and hunger, which was torn with scourges, and pierced with nails, which agonized in the garden, and expired on the cross, is now at the right hand of God in the highest seat of dignity and honour. That human soul also, that once was harassed with the

temptations of Satan, and that endured the wrath of a sin-avenging God, is now assumed into such an union with the godhead, as to be exalted infinitely above the highest archangel. It is in his human nature that the brightest effulgence of the Deity is seen: so that, while he appears as a lamb that has been slain, he is the very joy and glory of heaven, the sun that illumines the regions of the blest; "the glory of God doth lighten them, and the Lamb is the light thereof."

And who does not rejoice that the Saviour should be thus glorified? Who does not even leap for joy at the thought, that he, who loved us unto death, should be thus exalted far above all principalities and powers? Surely, independent of the interest which we ourselves have in his advancement, we ought to be exceeding glad that our greatest friend and benefactor should be thus gloriously rewarded

The next, and more remote step of his advancement was, the extending of his kingdom throughout the earth. It is true that, in a very short space of time, there were thousands of souls subjected to his dominion; and gradually his empire was enlarged among the Gentile world: multitudes in every place took, as it were, an oath of allegiance to him, and were made willing even to lay down their lives for his sake. But yet his kingdom has hitherto been only partially established: there is a time coming when, in the most literal sense, that prophecy of Daniel shall be accomplished, and " there shall be given him dominion and glory, and a kingdom, and all people, nations, and languages shall serve him." This methinks is that prospect, to which our Lord looked forward with peculiar delight as to "the joy set before him." When he shall see the whole human race bowing before his footstool, and hear them" extolling" and magnifying his name, he will look back upon the travail of his soul with pleasure and satisfaction, and account himself amply recompensed for all that he has done and suffered.

O that this glorious season might speedily begin; that his kingdom might come, and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven! But if we be not favoured to behold this period, let us at least make him the most accept

able return we can for his kindness, by devoting ourselves to his service, and endeavouring to bring others to the obedience of faith.

The final step of his advancement will be, when he shall come again to judge the world, and reign over his elect for ever and ever. What he has already received is only a pledge and earnest of what he will hereafter enjoy. At a future period, fixed in the divine counsels, but known to no creature either in heaven or earth, he is to come in his own glory, and in the glory of his Father, surrounded with all the holy angels. He is then to summon the whole universe before him: all, in one vast assembly, will stand at his tribunal, and be judged by him according to their works: those that were his enemies, and would not that he should reign over them, he will cast, together with the fallen angels, into the lake of fire; but his faithful servants he will take, together with the holy angels, to dwell with him, that they may be one fold under one shepherd for evermore. His mediatorial office indeed he will then lay down, as having no more need to exercise it; and, in this sense, "he will deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, that God may be all in all." But he will not cease to reign as a king over his people; for the prophet expressly says, that

of his kingdom there shall be no end." To all eternity therefore will he be the head of the church; to all eternity the one source of their joy, the one object of their adoration. As the glorified saints and angels are already singing, so will they never cease to sing, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom and strength, and glory and honour and blessing; therefore blessing and honour, and glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."

In improving this subject, we shall find abundant matter of reproof to the ungodly, of encouragement to the humble, and of direction to all.

On the most diligent enquiry into the life and conduct of our Lord, we shall find that he omitted nothing that was necessary for the effecting of our reconciliation with God. Yet how ill is he requited by the generality of mankind! Notwithstanding he has come down from

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heaven for our salvation, and accomplished the work which had been given him to do, the ungodly world will scarcely bestow a thought upon him. Instead of "exalting" him in their minds, and "extolling" him with their lips, and setting him "very high" in their affections, they regard him little more, than if all that is related of him were a mere fable. Every earthly vanity can fix their attention, and engage their favour; but he, whose condescension grace have filled all heaven with wonder, can attract no notice. What base ingratitude is this on the part of man! What is it but practically to deny the Redeemer's excellency, and to frustrate, as far as in us lies, the purposes of God respecting him? It is, in fact, to say that, whatever reward God has decreed to give him for his services, he shall receive no part of it from us. And who amongst us has not been guilty of this conduct? Who has not passed months and years without any admiration of his love, any zeal for his honour? If he were as much forgotten by all, as he has been by the generality, his very name would be soon put out of remembrance. What more awful proof of our fallen nature can we have; what greater evidence of our apostasy from God? If God were our Father, we should love Christ; if we were true believers, he would be precious to our souls. And if God has said that, "all who forget him shall be turned into hell," shall our forgetfulness of his dear Son involve us in no danger? Is it without reason that the apostle asks, How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? Surely if we exalt him not willingly, he shall be exalted against our will; for "he will reign, till he has put every enemy under his feet." If we will not bow to the sceptre of his grace, we shall be broken in pieces with the rod of his indignation.

They who are humbly endeavouring to serve God, may, on the other hand, derive from this subject much comfort and encouragement. As Christ was, so are all his followers, servants of the most high God. Like him too, in spite of men, and devils, they prosper in their work. And is there no reward prepared for them? Shall they not, like him, be exalted to thrones of glory? Shall they not be extolled by men, as the excellent of the earth; and by God, as good and faithful servants?

Shall they not be very high, even heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ? Yes; God is not ashamed to be called their God: and, as soon as they have overcome, they shall be carried by angels into Abraham's bosom, and inherit the glory prepared for them. Let the believer then look forward to the recompence of reward. Let him rest assured that the felicity which awaits him will abundantly compensate his labours and sufferings in the pursuit of it: let him be faithful unto death, and God will give him a crown of life. In the meantime, however, they who expect the wages, must be careful to execute the work assigned them. They must "deal prudently, " that they may prosper, and "prosper," that they may obtain the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give them. But it is not in their own strength that they are to proceed, but in the strength of their exalted Saviour; of him, who, having endured the same trials, can sympathize with them; and, having all power in heaven and in earth committed to him, can succour them. To him then let every eye be directed; to him in whom all fulness is deposited, and our life itself is hid: and when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory.

Lastly, While the words before us prophetically declare what Christ shall receive as the reward of his la bours, they serve as a direction to every one that names the name of Christ: they virtually enjoin us to pay him the tribute which is so justly due. "What shall I render unto the Lord," was the reflection that inspired the breast of David on a review of the mercies which he had experienced. And can we call to mind what our blessed Lord has done, and is yet doing, for our salvation, and not feel the liveliest emotions of gratitude in our hearts? Are we not constrained to break forth in the language of the Psalmist, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me bless his holy name? Yes; let us abundantly utter the memory of his great goodness and sing of his praise without ceasing. It is the most reasonable, and surely the most delightful, of all duties to exalt his name, and magnify it with thanksgiving. Let VOL. II. Rr

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