his veracity in testifying of its reality, excellence, and necessity.. It offers contempt to his mercy; it practically denies his justice, repudiates his authority, and defies his vengeance. In crime so aggravated will not God require it? Will not the retribution be proportional to the enormity of the offence? And what created mind can estimate that enormity, or assign the vengeance it deserves? What spirit can endure the combined, and awful wrath of God, and of the Lamb! Let me live and die in the deepest, darkest degradation of heathenism, rather than meet the doom, and endure the certain and merited punishment of those who reject the Son of God, and treat his blood and his salvation as worthless, and unholy things. "Hear ye (unbeliev ers and) despisers, and wonder, and perish." Or rather," Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little." "He waits to be gracious, and will cast out none who come."

INFERENCES.

1st. There are no conflicting claims between Moses and Christ, as the Jews alleged. They mutually recognise, verify, and honor each other. To allege conflict, or opposition, is as groundless, and absurd as to affirm that the dawning of morning light, and the bright effulgence of noon are discordant with, and hostile to each other; or that the venerated sovereign who comes to gladden, and bless his people, is in hostility with the herald who announces his approach. To Christ, Moses and all the prophets gave witness. They spake not of him as a rival-but as the object of their desire, and the glory, and consummation of their ministry, and predictions. They were shadows, Christ was the substance the author, and finisher of faith: the divine lawgiver, ruler, and redeemer; Moses's Lord, and hope, and Saviour to whose authority he rendered homage; to whom he was indebted for his office, and his honor, and in whose dominion of " grace, and truth," he recognised the fulfilment of the law, and of all the Jewish dispensation, and the only salvation of a ruined world.

2. Divine revelation, and the scheme of redemption which it

makes known, are one continued, and consistent system through

out.

The harmony of the Scriptures is, with good reason, regarded as conclusive evidence of their divine inspiration;-that all proceeded from one unerring, unchanging, and omniscient mind.— The best, and wisest of men do not, in all things think, and speak alike; nor are they always consistent with themselves. Their own opinions are not always reconcileable with each other; and better knowledge often constrains them to correct their decisions and retract their errors. Omniscience alone can avoid mistake, and maintain perfect consistency. This is the characteristic of divine revelation. It was given to the world at various times through successive thousands of years. The writers were men of different ages, different countries, different talents, and different modes and conditions of life. They all revealed the same views of the character, and moral government of God. As to the condition, duties, and dangers of man, their descriptions are entirely accordant. And first, and last, and throughout they publish one just, and holy salvation, and bestowed only in one, and the same way-by the sacrifice, and mediation of the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world," Jesus Christ," the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." Wondrous, gracious revelation!-the gift, undeniable, of him whose knowledge, and purposes change not-" who sees the end from the beginning," "who is wise in counsel, and mighty in working."

3. The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus.

Prophecies as applicable to Jesus Christ are conclusive testimony that he is the expected, and promised Messiah, and Saviour of men. There are many other convincing, and irrefutable proofs but the "sure word of prophecy" presents in its fulfilment an admirable array of evidence, much already verified, and made clear; and much in progressive accomplishment in the effects and spread of the gospel. To these "we do well to take heed." In proportion as they are examined, and understood they estab lish our faith on an immoveable foundation, promote our personal comfort, and encourage efforts to sustain, and promote the cause

of truth, and holiness. What has already been so faithfully fulfilled, warrants full assurance that all that is predicted, and promised will, in due time be gloriously accomplished. Believers will be saved, and "the knowledge of the glory of God will fill the earth, as the waters fill the seas."

4. How do we regard this great Prophet?

If we hear, and obey-we live. His word is truth, and cannot fail. The obedience of faith will find his gospel to be the power of God and the wisdom of God unto salvation. This hope never makes ashamed.

If we refuse we perish. Unbelief leaves the sinner in condemnation, and spiritual death; and for his rejected mercy God will make a righteous, and awful requisition." This is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil,"-and obstinately continue in rebellion, and unbelief. "He that believeth not shall be damned." Men cannot escape if they neglect this great salvation.

SERMON XVIII.

THE INCARNATION AND GLORY OF CHRIST.

JOHN 1. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

THE character, and work of the Messiah were subjects of early prediction, of frequent promise, and of continuous, and great expectation. They are prominent matters throughout divine revelation. On no other theme does wonder rise so high, or description glow with colors so fine, or figures so bold. He was the soul of every external service, the sum of every dispensation.Kings, and prophets longed to see him; and he was "the desire of all nations." In fact, he was proposed to man as the most interesting object of faith, of expectation, of trust, and of holy joy. So it was in the Patriarchal, and Jewish Church. And under the christian dispensation claims, at least as high, are made in behalf of him whom christian Apostles recognise as the true Messiah. Faith, and love, worship, and obedience are represented as actually paid, and as justly due. His person, and his work, his glory, and his grace are the great subjects of the evangelical history, and the other inspired scriptures. From his character, and work, promises, duties, hopes, and joys are never separated.— In him "they are yea, and amen." To esteem him precious, characterises the saint; not to love him exposes to the curse.— From these facts questions arise which ought to be answered. Is there good reason for all this honor, and esteem? Is Jesus Christ an object worthy of such love, and confidence? Why should we feel thus towards him? These questions are at all times of immediate, and solemn interest. They are specially so, in the serious view of those duties which we propose to engage

in this day. In rendering a public, special, solemn act of obedience, and honor to Jesus Christ it is peculiarly proper that we be able to answer distinctly these pertinent questions-what is his character, and why has he such high claims upon our devout, affectionate, and devoted regard? The answer may be readily found. It is the Son of God, our Redeemer, and our Lord of whom the Evangelist here speaks.

The text furnishes a full reply to the questions suggested, and opens before us a wondrous, glorious, and most interesting subject of meditation-" God manifest in the flesh" is worthy to have our best affections, and our highest honors. It is the express command of God, that all men should "honor the Son, even as they honor the Father." "The Word who ever was, and ever is God, became incarnate, and tabernacled among us, full of grace, and truth,—and we, [says the Evangelist,] beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father." How eminently favored were they, who beheld this glorious person? with what wonder and intense interest must they have regarded him! This was a sight which many prophets, and righteous men desired greatly, but were not so happy as to enjoy. Nor is that privilege allowed to us. But though the Son of God does not now dwell visibly among us; yet by the eye of faith his presence, and his grace are known, and experienced. He has even instituted ordinances with visible emblems which may render our senses auxiliary to our faith. His bodily presence we do not enjoy; but where two or three are assembled in his name, he is, spiritually, present to bless them. His glorious face is beheld only by angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, in the heavens: but his propitiatory death, and immeasurable love are exhibited in his broken body, and shed blood. The Lord's supper brings into view, more especially, his sufferings and death; yet faith, and love cannot fail to see, and admire his divine glories, his truth unsullied, and his grace so great. Let us with wonder, faith

* A Communion Sabbath.