50 HONOUR DUE TO TA said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever." The especial object of divine adoration, the motives onto it, and the nature of it, or what it consisteth in, are here declared. 1. The object of it is Christ, not separately, but dis- tinctly from the Father, and jointlywith him. And he is proposed, (1.) As having fulfilled the work of his mediation in his incarnation and oblation; as a Lamb slain. (2.) In his glorious exaltation, in the midst of the throne of God. The principal thing that the Hea- then of old observed concerning Christian religion, was that in it, Praises were sung to Christ as unto God. 2. The motives unto this adoration are the unspeaka- ble benefits which we receive by his mediation; "'Thou art worthy, for thou wast slain, and hest redeemed us unto God," &c. Hereon the same glory, the some honour is ascribed unto him as unto God the Father; Blessing, honour, glory, and power, be unto him that sits on the throne, andunto the Lamb for ever and ever. 3. 'The nature of this adoration is described to com- prise three things. (I.) Solemn prostration. And " the four living creatures said, Amen, and the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever." So also is it described, chap. iv. 10, 11. (2.) In the ascription of all divine honour andglo- ry, as is at large expressed, ver. 11, 12, 13. (3.) In the way of expressing the design of their souls in this adoration which is by their praises; theysung a new song; that is, of praise, for so are all thosepsalms which have that title of a new song. And in these things, namely, solemn prostration of soul in the acknowledgment of divine excellencies, ascriptions of glory and honour with praise, doth religious adoration consist. And theybe- long not unto the great holy societyof them who wor- ship above and here below, whosehearts are not always ready unto this solemn adoration of the Lamb, and who are not on all occasions exercised therein. And this adoration of Christ doth differ from the a- doration of God absolutely considered, and of God as the Father, not in its nature, but merely on the account of its especial motives. Theprincipal motive unto the adoration of God absolutely considered, is the work of creation,, the manifestationof his glory therein, with all E PERSON OF CHRIST; the effects of his power and goodness thereon ensuing. So it is declared, Rev. iv. 8, 9, 10, 11. " Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are, and were created." And the princi- pal motive unto the adoration and worship of God as the Father, is that eternal love, grace and goodness, which he is the fountainof in a peculiar manner, Eph. .5. But the great motive unto the adoration of Christ is the teerk of redemption, Rev. v. 12. " Wor- thy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glo- ry, and blessing." The reason whereof is given, ver. 9, 10. "For thou avast slain, and bast redeemed us unto God by thy blood, and hest made us unto our God kings and priests." The adoration is the same, ver. 13., "Blessing, honour, glory, and power be untohim that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb forevermore." But the immediate motives of it are different, as its ob- jects are distinct. Herein no small partof the life of Christian religion Both consist. The humbling of our souls before the Lord Christ, from an apprehension of hisdivine excel- lencies, the ascription of glory, honour, praise, with thanksgiving unto him, on the great motive ofthe work of redemption, with theblessed effectsthereof, are things wherein the life of faith.is continually exercised. Nor can we have any evidence of an interest in that blessed- ness which consists in the eternal assignation of all glo- ry and praise unto him in heaven, if we are not exer- cisedunto this worship ofhim, here on earth. 2dly, Invocation is the second general branch of di- vine honour, of that honour which is due and paid unto the Son, as unto the Father. This is the first exercise of divine faith, the breath of the spiritual life. And it consisteth in two things, or hash two parts. (t.) An ascription of all divine properties and excellencies unto him whom weinvocate. This is essential unto prayer, which without it is but vain babbling. Whoever com- eth unto God hereby, must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek hits. (2.) There is in it also a representationof our wills, af- fections and desires of our souls unto him on whomwe call, with an expectation of being heard and relieved, by virtue of his infinitely divine excellencies. This is the proper actingof faith with resp'ect unto ourselves;
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