Page images
PDF
EPUB

page: They, said Jesus, testify of me. Of the SEALING of this testament, Daniel has remarkably prophesied : And the crimson blood of Christ is well known to be emphatically styled, The blood of the New Testament. Of WITNESSES, we may say they are both in heaven and on earth. The Father, at the baptism, and at the transfiguration of Christ, declared, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. The Holy Ghost also is a Witness. He rested upon the person of Jesus at his baptism; aiding the Scripture penmen, and sealing the testimony of Jesus upon the heart of every believer. We may, therefore, conclude, with John, there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. Not to mention the innumerable company of holy Angels, we may venture to assert, that on earth, multitudes of the disciples received the sentiments of our Lord from his own lips; a competent number committed them to writing, and afterwards many sealed the testimony with their own blood. To all which, with pleasure we add, this Testament is DELIVERED. The word is nigh unto us. It is preached to all nations. It hath stood the attacks of infidelity, and is preserved for our use to the present hour. Thanks be unto God for this unspeakable gift!

It is well known, that in making a testament, there is a formal disannulling all former wills. So the Apostle saith, He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. Whether this assertion be referred to the moral law of nature, or to the ceremonial law of the Jews, it is equally just. The former is said to be an hand writing against us, which Christ hath took out of the way, nailing it to his cross. The latter consisting of carnal rites and ceremonies, was used as shadows for

the time being, until Christ, the substance, should come and establish the empire of his grace, both for Jews and Gentiles.

In making my last observation, I must again recite my text-Where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of the testator. For, a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all whilst the testator liveth. Therefore, when the testator is dead, the will is published, and heirs put in their elaim for possession of property. That Jesus actually died upon the cross, is certain from the repeated declarations of his crucifiers; from the soldiers piercing his side; and also from the manner in which he was buried. His last Will and Testament is now published to the greater part of the world. By the care and providence of God, the Testament has been translated into various languages, and has made its way among all nations. And by the same divine goodness, Ministers are raised up in different parts, and of different tongues, to proclaim this Testament to men; so that, as David saith, Their sound is gone out into all the earth. The Will and Testament being published, heirs or legatees may put in their claim. It is of importance, therefore, to know in what manner this claim must be made. It is possible for a man, sentimentally, to approve the doctrine of election, which appears in the Testament of Jesus; and in his unholy practice give evidence he has no interest in it. Christ, in his Will, certainly knew the heirs of his salvation; but their names are in the book of life, secret to us; and no man may look into the Testament for his own proper name. But, our Lord Jesus has so formed his Will, that, in general terms, it is in favour of SINNERS. None but such need the treasures which Christ

hath bequeathed, and none but such who are made sensible of the nature, malignity, and demerit of sin, will desire, or put in their claim for a share of the blessings of his grace. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, even the chief of sinners. This is the substance of the Testament of Jesus. Under the humiliating character of a chief sinner, having no merit, and de-serving eternal punishment from the transgressed law of God, you must put in your claim. The free promise of Jesus is, Whosoever will, let him come. This is our warrant to lay claim; and it must be added, none that ever did so were sent empty away. The great thing, therefore, is, to possess the will. This, confessedly, is of God's own creating. wilting in the day of thy power. the Spirit of God, who gives faith to rest upon the promise. And it has been, and still is the universal acknowledgment of all who have received a portion of the riches of Christ, that unless the Spirit of God had drawn them to Jesus, they would have continued in their unbelief. For want of knowing the Gospel way of obtaining the riches of Christ, many sensible sinners have lived for years in timidity and distress. I have, therefore, stated the subject as plain and as brief as possible, in hope of encouraging the fearful to take hold of the promise, and embrace the unsearchable treasures of Jesus.

Thy people shall be This is performed by

Let me conclude by addressing you who know your interest in the Testament of Christ. Forget not the kindness of your invaluable friend. Ever cherish a deep conviction, that as a sinner you are an heir of misery; and that your happiness in life consists in living upon the multiplied blessings bequeathed to you by the Son of God. Constantly look over the variety of mercies and comforts

G g

to which you are entitled; and do not be surprised, that among the articles bequeathed you should find that of affliction. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but in me you shall have peace. But then, your afflictions will prove fatherly chastisements; and either in them, or after them, you will assuredly find that they work together for your good. You are, in an especial manner, to be exhorted to a lively attendance on the LORD'S SUPPER. In that institution you will realize the subject on which I have now addressed you. The cup is emphatically declared by Christ to be the cup of the New Testament in his blood, shed for the remission of sins. And to this you are exhorted in the most animated manner by Jesus. This do, in remembrance of me. As through the Testament of Jesus you have received grace, so, remember, it is an assurance that glory shall be yours n the regions of immortality.

[ocr errors]

FORGIVENESS OF INJURIES.

PROVERBS xix. 11.

It is the glory of a man to pass over a transgression.

O what stupendous mercy shines
Around the Majesty of heaven!
Rebels he deigus to call his sons,
Their souls renew'd, their sins forgiven,

Go, imitate the grace divine,
The grace that blazes like a sun;

Hold forth your fair, though feeble light,
Through all your lives let mercy run.

FEW qualities in the human breast are more ornamen tal to the possessor, or of more value to society, than a readiness to forgive. It is, indeed, as Solomon justly pronounces it in the text, the glory of man; for it is an imitation of the good-will and compassion of the Almighty. Mankind are prone to err against God and one another. In this mixed, depraved state offences are unavoidable; and it may be presumed no persons, whether of obscure or public life, but at some period have found occasion to cxercise forgiveness. This disposition, by the culture of education, may predominate in some breasts more than in others. But the intrinsic excellence of that valuable temper of which we now mean to discourse, is the fruit of God's grace; and its operations are in obedience to the express laws of Jesus Christ. The utility of this amiable virtue is very great in the general circle of society. It is much more so in a Church, where candour, brotherly-kindness, and forgiveness are essentially neces

« PreviousContinue »