And now they range the heavenly plains, And sing _his_ love in melting strains; Or, overwhelm’d with rapture sweet, Sink down, adoring at _his_ feet.
May this be our lot, and in order to that _state_, that _bliss_, that _joy_, and that sweet _employment_. May the eternal spirit give us such views of Christ, as shall cause us to long for the time.
We are poor sinners, guilty, and hell-deserving, condemned by a holy law, and exposed to a thousand miseries in this world; and in our fallen nature, to the woe of perdition. Christ is the Saviour of the lost; _he_ was from all eternity raised up, and voluntarily offered _himself_ to become the Saviour of _his_ church. Say ye of _him_, whom the Father hath sanctified—and for their sakes I sanctify _myself_. Set apart, separated, for _his_ peoples’ salvation. Glory be to _his_ dear name: _he_ is God and man; had _he_ been only God, we could not have been saved; had _he_ been man only, _he_ would not have been able to save us; but _he_ is God and man; this at once secures the honors of _his_ law, the glory of _his_ perfections, and the salvation of _his_ church. As God and man, _he_ is the Lord, our righteousness, and as the atonement, which alone is efficacious, _he_ is called the Lord and God, who laid down _his_ life, and purchased the church with _his_ blood. How most divinely adapted _he_ was, and _is_, to save us. What a glorious meeting of divine excellencies are in _him_. Hence, the Father calls upon us, to behold _him_, Behold my servant, whom I uphold. The Lord Jesus declares, _he_ will say of _himself_, Behold me, behold me! to a people who had not known _him_! and the holy Spirit points _him_ out, by John; Behold the Lamb of God! I know my dear friend desires to know _him_, that she may believe in _him_, and love _him_. This encourages me to go on with my sweet subject, which I hope will not prove tedious to you. The person of Christ is most wonderful, it is greater than _his_ glorious works, and ought to be for ever the theme of our discourse. Permit me, then, just to observe, there meets in Jesus, infinite _highness_, and infinite _humility_—infinite _glory_, and infinite _condescension_—infinite _grace_, and infinite _justice_—infinite _majesty_, and transcendent _meekness_—the deepest _reverence_ of God, and an _equality_ with God—infinite _worthiness_ of good, and the greatest _patience_ under evils—wonderful _obedience_, and supreme _dominion_ over heaven and earth—the most perfect _resignation_, and absolute _sovereignty_—an entire _trust_ in God, and yet _self sufficiency_ in _himself_. _Justice_, _mercy_, and _truth_ are sweetly combined in _him_, displayed through _him_, and shines in all _he_ says, and in all _he_ does; while, as an high priest, _he_ makes intercession—as God and man, _he_ demands the very blessings: Father, I will, that those whom thou hast given _me_, be with _me_. _He_ is the _lion_ to our foes; the _lamb_ to our faith, and at times, _he_ appears the _lion_ in providence, while _he_ is the lamb, in a way of grace, to the soul. This is your _Christ_.