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ment of his only begotten Son.-It therefore follows, "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with " trembling." ، Submit to the authority of God ; bow your sceptres to the sceptre of the Messiah: employ your power and influence in obeying his 'commands and promoting his glory: presume < not, in any case, to set your authority in opposi'tion to his; lest he dash you in pieces like a potter's vessel. Stand in awe of his power, reve'rence his majesty; and, while you rejoice in your 'exalted rank, and all its alluring appendages, 'tremble also, lest they should occasion your deeper condemnation.'-" Kiss the Son, lest he "be angry, and ye perish from the way: when his “wrath is kindled, yea, but a little; blessed are "all they that put their trust in him."

The conclusion of the psalm is very emphatical: and the turn given to the address may imply far more than is expressed, with the trivial change in the punctuation above adopted. This is frequently the manner of the sacred writers. "How shall ye

escape if ye neglect so great salvation?" "What " is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and "lose his own soul?"-The psalmist having said “ when his wrath is kindled, yea, but a little,” breaks off abruptly, as if he meant to add, 'I will not, I cannot describe the misery of that man against whom the wrath of Christ is kindled in 'the least degree: I leave the subject as too < dreadful to be insisted on; and will rather di' rect your thoughts to a more delightful consideration; "Blessed are all they that put their trust ' in him."'

Having thus briefly reviewed this prophecy, I would again demand your attention to its contents, which are too obvious to need much interpretation, and which involve no ambiguity or uncertainty. Have not these predictions concerning the opposition of the world to the kingdom of Christ, and his triumph over his enemies, been exactly fulfilled; Have not facts corresponded with the evident meaning of the language here used?-These accomplishments of scripture, in things which no human sagacity could possibly foresee, are unequivocal demonstrations that it is the word of the omniscient God. Ingenious men may easily start plausible objections, or answer arguments with sarcasm or repartee: but is this a suitable way of treating subjects of such awful importance? Let the opposers of our holy religion stand forth with manly frankness, and fairly prove, if they can, that these prophecies were not delivered a thousand years before the coming of Christ; or else that the events have not corresponded to them. Until one of these things has been undeniably effected, we shall continue to affirm that, so far from believing without evidence, we have unspeakably better reasons to assign for our faith and hope than unbelievers can have for any of their opinions.

For my own part, after a diligent examination of the subject, during many years, I am fully convinced that the Bible is the infallible word of God; and am thankful, that I did not imbibe this sentiment from education or early prejudices, but that it has been the result of a most hesitating investigation because this gives me a confidence, not

easily to be shaken, that the gospel will maintain its ground, though all the genius, learning, eloquence, and authority of the whole world should unite against it. Nay I am assured that it will survive the ruin of all its enemies, who can only destroy themselves: for they can neither prevent its progress and triumphs, nor hinder the salvation of the meanest believer; but will, at length, find, that "it is hard to kick against the pricks."-The remainder of the present discourse will contain a more particular consideration of the text, in the following method.

I. We will inquire into the special nature of that kingdom, which God hath determined to establish:

II. Notice the exhortation of the text; "Kiss "the Son, lest he be angry:"

III. Make some remarks on the warning and encouragement, " If his wrath be kindled, yea, but "a little; blessed are all they that put their trust "in him."

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I. Then, we consider the special nature of the Messiah's kingdom. "Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion." This was the purpose of God, even when he created the world. He formed the earth to be a theatre, on which he might display his essential glory: and the person, salvation, and kingdom of Emmanuel, constitute the grandest exhibition of all the mysteries and perfections of the divine nature that hath ever been. made. All the dispensations of providence have been arranged in subserviency to the same great design; as it must be evident to all who carefully study the history of the Old Testament, or indeed the history of the world in every age.

When therefore the tempter had prevailed on our first parents to violate the Creator's prohibition, the promise of a Saviour was immediately given: "The Seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's "head:" the Messiah shall overturn the usurped 'dominion of the devil, and set up his kingdom on 'the ruins of it; to the final confusion and de'struction of that great ringleader in rebellion ' against God.'-The Messiah, as the Head of this kingdom, was foretold in the law of Moses, and by the prophets, who "spake of the sufferings of "Christ and the glory that should follow." This was the stone seen in vision by Nebuchadnezzar ; which was "cut out of the mountain without hands," and, having, destroyed all opposition, "became a great mountain, and filled the whole "earth."2

In the fulness of time the promised Saviour appears; and his messenger goes before him, proclaiming as a herald, "Repent ye, for the king"dom of heaven is at hand." Now the ancient prophecies are fulfilled: "the blind receive their

sight, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised." "Behold a voice from heaven, saying, This is my "beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear

ye him." He leads a lowly and suffering life: he goes about doing good: his most beneficent doctrine is confirmed by benign miracles of the most stupendous nature: all his words and works are stamped with divine wisdom, holiness, love, Yet is he "despised and rejected of He dies a spotless sacrifice upon the

and power.

"men."

' 1 Pet. i. 10-12.

2. Dan. ii. 31-48.

cross; numbered with malefactors, and treated with extreme contempt, malice, and cruelty. He rises from the dead a glorious conqueror; 66 as"cends up on high, leading captivity captive, and receiving gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell among "them." Now" he receives to himself a king"dom :" "all power in heaven and earth is given "to him:""angels, principalities, and powers,

are made subject to him; and he is made Head "over all things to his church." His apostles, having received the promise of the Spirit from on high, go forth every where preaching the gospel, and declaring that "the same Jesus," whom the Jews had crucified, "is exalted to be a Prince "and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel, " and remission of sins:" "that there is no sal"vation in any other; for there is none other name "under heaven given unto men, whereby we must "be saved;" while the miraculous powers which they display and communicate confirm their testimony and command attention. Their formidable persecutors are confounded; thousands and tens of thousands embrace the religion of the crucified Jesus: till Jewish infidelity, and pagan idolatry, and all the power and policy with which they are supported, fall down before it; as the image in Nebuchadnezzar's vision before the stone cut out of the mountain without hands.

In this manner JEHOVAH attested the despised Jesus to be "his well-beloved Son;" thus, as it were, addressing the Jews: Ye have crucified the

1 Psal. lxviii. 18.