We read that Christ "was seen of angels." These exalted beings watched all the steps of his wonderous work-and they saw him at the temple, where he began to vindicate his heavenly wisdom-at Nazareth, where he set a perfect example of filial obedience-at Jordan, submitting to all the requirements of the Jewish ritual-in the synagogue, speaking as never man spake-and at the tomb of Lazarus, manifesting himself "the resurrection and the life :"-in Gethsemane they saw him too, sweating " great drops of blood," under the burden of the world's atonement--on the cross, where he cried, "it is finished," and tore the hand writing which he had signed in our behalf, to fragments, and in his triumphant ascent from the tomb of Joseph, when he " led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." The angels saw all this, and they cried as they attended him back to his throne, we see it! we see it! " there is redemption thro' his blood." Thus was laid the meritorious foundation for the soul's redemption. Let us now con. template the greatness of this work, from several additional considerations. And 1. It makes great discoveries of the perfections of God. Through what he has revealed of himself in the works of redemption, we have learned more of the wisdom and benevoIence of God, than we could ever have conceived without this exhibition; as well as to see more clearly, the rigid character of justice and the dreadful nature of sin. But particularly have we seen, in this work of redemption, new occasions to admire the mysterious relations of the Trinity, and new beauties in the adorable Son of God. This then, is, 2. A second consideration to give value to redemption--the high and glorious character of its immediate author. We shall say but little at present, on a subject which we have repeatedly discussed; but we may remind you, brethren, that this is the method by which the apostle gives value to the subject of redemption. He tells us that its immediate author is the Son of God, and he labours through the whole first chapter of Hebrews, to give exaltation to his character. You are there told, in consequence, that he is "the heir of all things"-that he is "better than the angels"-that he " made the worlds"that he is an object of " worship"-that his "throne" of dominion is " righteous and forever"--and that he is " God," and immutable, while the heavens are frail and perishing! These attributes, then, and many more we might now assign to the author of rez demption, and then, inferring the relation of this authorship upon the work itself, we might exclaim with Paul, " How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation." (Ch. ii. 3.) 3. Redemption may be contemplated in its relation to the present happiness of man, and the preservation of the world. The only substantial happiness, as individuals, is that which flows from religion; nor is it a small, any more than a visionary happiness, for a man to feel that he is saved from hell and a candidate for heaven--to have a conscious pardon of sin already, and to hold intercourse with the highest and best of Beings, as a reconciled Father. But we pass from this at present. What is it but religion, my friends, that comforts a man in the day of sorrow? Come to the poor, afflicted, sick or bereaved child of woe, with any other cup of consolation, and see if he will not dash it away from his lips: He will tell you as one of the friends of the Heathen Philosopher* told him, when he had laboured to comfort the afflicted man under a heavy bereavement: " I want something more-I want something different." Religion alone can sustain the afflicted: By all the rational, every other solace is put aside as useless. *PLINY. And it is only religion which sustains the peace and order of society: by this alone, and only in that degree, that it is fostered and prevails, can laws be administered-government supported---crimes suppressed, or human intercourse be regulated. Learning, manners, the social virtues and the charities of life have no other security : nay, the very material world, and all worlds, are probably suspended on this condition. It is plainly taught in scripture, that for the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, "all things were created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth." They are all subservient to this great end; and hold their existence only by their relation to it. And should we suppose that no other worlds but this were inhabited by rational beings, it would not be too much to conclude that the vast globes around us, wait on this, because here are rational souls, and because here the work of redemption was wrought. Lastly; The greatness of this work of redemption may be seen, in that of care and attention which is given to it among the works of providence. Great is the amount of care and labour that saves a single soul. After Christ has died, the work is not done. The subject, from being opposed, is to be made willing to accept him: faith must lay her hand on the head of the victim : the waters of repentance must flow from a broken heart: sanctification is to be carried on against a thousand obstacles and death conquered-and heaven made sure forever, before redemption, in any practical sense, can be considered as completed. But millions of souls have thus been redeemed already and we ought not to wonder at the amount of labour, so to speak, which has been bestowed on this object. For this God revealed himself to man in paradise: for this he instituted sacrifices and sabbaths: for this he separated a nation to himself, and gave them laws to govern, and types and ceremonies to instruct them in the ways of righteousness: for this end miracles were wrought, and a Bible given_and prophets and martyrs raised up: towards a development of the work of redemption all the movements and changes of governments were directed: in this cause two mighty worlds have been at war for ages-and the advances of heaven or hell have alternately blessed the earth, or covered it with wretchedness. |