Watts - Houston-Packer Collection BX5207.W3 S4x 1805 v.3

SERM. Iv.] CIiRIST EXALTED AND. THE SPIRIT LIVEN 57 on the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever." Ac- cording to the tenor of scripture, I think the man Jesus is not capable of receiving these honours, without such a personal union to the godhead, as makes him a God- man, or one with God: And upon this foot, I allow, with the learned and pious Doctor Owen, and other protestant writers, that the human nature of Christ, in the person of the Mediator, and considered as God -man, may be worshipped and receive its own share of these honours, so far as is possible for a creature in so close . an union with the eternal godhead. Before I proceed to the second general part of the sub- ject which is appointed me, I would make a few remarks or inferences from the first. Remark L Is Christ exalted to such glory, then all the real 'scandal of the cross ceases: It vanishes away and is lost, when the crucified man is all glorious at the right-hand of God. The scandal ceases from Christ, and it ceases from his people too : It is no longer, a matter of shame or folly to be a believer or follower of such a Jesus: The power and grandeur of the Son of God, sitting on so illustrious a throne, takes away and annihilates all-the scandal of a man hanging on a tree. The time is coming, and it'hastens apace, when the Jews shall be ashamed of their reproaches cast upon him, and the sons of men shall be confounded at the thoughts of their former mockery of the Son of God. If we keep this thought warm a't our hearts we shall never be ashamed of the profession of the cross of Christ. Remark II. Is Christ exalted by the Father's right- hand, " then his doctrines are worthy of our belief, his promises are worthy of our trust, and his laws of our obedience." His doctrines are certainly worthy of our belief; for never would God the Father have exalted his Son to such honours, if he had brought one doctrine to the world which was not divinely true. Had he not been a faithful prophet in delivering all his messages from God, he had never been raised to be a King. We may venture therefore safely to receive all the lessons that he teaches us. And we may safely rely on his promises too, for when Jesus the faithful witness, is exalted to be Lord of all, he can fulfil every promise he has made. We may ven

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