298 THE ABSOLUTE jects and fury, and forewarning thein_of their ruin if they come not in. The verses which I have read are the application of the forego- ing prediction, by a serious admonition to the proudest offenders : they contain, 1. The persons admonished, ," kings and judges." 2. Their duty : 1. In general, to God, " serve him ; " with the ad- juncts annexed : 1. Rejoicing. 2. Fear and trembling. 2. More especially their duty to the Son, " kiss him ." 3. Themotives to this duty. 1. Principally and directly, expressed, " lest he be angry," which anger is set forth by the effect, "and ye perish ;" which perishing is aggravated, 1. From the suddenness and un- expectedness, " in the way." 2. From the dreadfulness, " kind- led." 1. It is fire, and will kindle and burn. 2. A little of it will produce this sad effect. 3. It will be woe to those that do not es- cape it ; which woe is set forth by the contrary happiness of those that by submission do escape. 2. Themotives subservient and implied are in themonitory words, " be wise, be learned," q. d: else you will show and prove yourselves 'menof ignorance and madness, unlearn- ed and unwise. Some questions here we should answer for.. explication of the terms : as, 1. Whether the Lord, in verse .11, and the Son, in verse 12, be both meant of Christ the Second Person? 2. Whether the anger here mentioned be the anger of the Fa- ther or the Son, " lest he be angry ?" I might spend much time here to little purpose, in showing you the different judgment of divines of these, when in the issue there is no great difference, whichever way we take them. 3. What is meant by "kissing the Son?" I answer, Accord- ing to its threefold, object, it bath athreefold duty contained in it. l . Wekiss the feet in tokenofsubjection ; somust we kiss the Son. 2. Wb kiss the hand in token of dependence ; so must we kiss the hand of Christ ; that is, resign ourselves to hirn, and expect all our happiness and receivings from him. 3. We kiss the mouth in token of love and friendship; and so also must we kiss the Son. 4. What is meant by." perishing in the way ?" I answer, (omitting the variety of nterpretations) It is their sudden unex- pected perishing in the heat of their rage, and in pursuit of, their designs against the kingdom of Christ. I know no other terms of any great difficulty here. Many observations might be hence raised : as, 1. Serving the Lord is the great work and business that the world hath to do. 2. This service should be accompanied with rejoicing.
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