that their death promotes his glory; so that he is honored in them, "whether by life or by death." And in that great day, "for which all other days were made," he shall come to be "admired in his saints, and to be glorified in all them that believe." The noble army of martyrs praise him; the goodly fellowship of the apostles praise him; the whole church, throughout all the world, doth acknowledge him as God's honorable, true, and only Son. Once more, "He shall bear the glory," V. From the dispensations of his own providence.

"All his works praise him." His great design, in governing all things, is to secure to himself abundant glory. It is evident that the " government is upon his shoulders;" that without his permission not a sparrow falls to the ground; and that "by him it is that kings reign, and princes decree justice." In all the events, then, of a providential nature, that have taken place in the world, Jesus Christ is honored; but he is especially so, in the guidance and direction of the saints to Zion's holy hill. They are, indeed, the children of Providence, peculiar favorites of Heaven; and no wonder that Jesus glorifies himself on their behalf. Do you ask, what in him does providence glorify? answer, much every way. It glorifies all his attributes and perfections; but peculiarly does it honor his power, his wisdom, and his goodness. The power of his arm is herein abundantly displayed, seeing we are led to understand that there is nothing which he cannot accomplish; that there is no work too hard for him; that he can very easily tread a monarch down, or dash a world to pieces; he can "raise the poor from the dunghill, and set them among princes;" he effects whatever

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he chooses and does not all this glorify him? especially when we recollect that he produces all things by a word, or by the mere volition of his own mind. Yea, very often for this cause doth he raise men up, that he may show his power in them. His peculiar providence glorifies also his wisdom, which appears in his causing all things to work together for good. Every pin of his tabernacle is, indeed, in its proper place: there is not a trial borne by a Christian, but is absolutely necessary for him. At the day of judgment, when the dispensations of his providence shall be unravelled, we shall see him to be the only wise God, and trace that inimitable skill, which had been displayed in the construction and government of the world. These things also glorify his goodness, which is over all, and his tender mercies, which are over all his works. Every thing he does is done well; and what we know not of his dealings now, we shall know hereafter. O, then, speak of the glory of his kingdom, and talk of his power; make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom; "for his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endureth throughout all generations:" all his providential dealings say, "He shall bear the glory."

We remark, that Jesus will receive abundant glory,

VI. From the acclamations of the glorified spirits in heaven.

That Christ Jesus is the theme of heaven is abundantly evident, from the representations given us in the word of God of the employments and songs of those who appear before God in the new Jerusalem. It is Jesus' name that sounds so melodiously upon their harps; it is his love which ex

cites their triumphant praise; it is his unrivalled, uncreated beauty, which strikes them with admiration, and fills them with delight. Jesus must be considered as greatly honored by their acclamations, if we recollect, that they are unquestionably sincere, united, uninterrupted, and eternal.

"He bears the glory" of their triumphs, for their homage is sincere. Here, indeed, men profess to know him, but in works deny him; with their mouths they acknowledge him, but by their conduct they betray him; they "call him Lord, Lord, but do not the things which he says:" and suppose ye, for a moment, that Christ owns himself honored by such characters? I tell you nay; but he will appoint them a portion with hypocrites and unbelievers. But the language of a glorified soul is the expression of its pious feelings; there is no formality in worship there, nor is there any hypocrisy or deceit, for the former things are passed away. Whilst they exclaim, "Worthy is the Lamb," they feel that he is exalted above all blessing and praise. Jehovah himself, who searches the hearts and tries the reins of the children of men, testifies of them, that they are Israelites indeed, in whom there is no guile. Amidst all the numbers of the bloodbought throng, there is not an individual but feels his obligations to the grace of Jesus; and who, when he pronounces his charming name, does not glow with sincere affection towards him. He himself knows, then, that he alone bears the glory of their praises; because, when they adore him, their hearts are not wandering after other good.

Large is the revenue of glory which Christ receives from the spirits of the just made perfect, because their adorations are united. In praising him they all agree; not one refuses to join the song,

not one wishes it to close. Jesus himself is the delightful bond of union to them all; they are all united in Christ. Those that were redeemed from different tribes, and tongues, and people that were called by grace at different periods of their existence; that were separated from each other, when on earth, by different sentiments, or by other once existing circumstances; now all join in one common hallelujah, and in one loud amen. The Saviour has the satisfaction of finding himself to be the joy and wonder of them all, for "He shall bear the glory."

Their acclamations, too, will be uninterrupted. They will honor him then, not with frail, but with incorruptible bodies: they will never feel languor or weariness; being so glorified, that every thing in their constitution, when on earth, which was calculated to impede their devotions, and to control their holy pleasures, shall be known no more. Wandering thoughts, cold affections, and earthly desires, shall not break in upon their solemnities, or cause them any more to render an unacceptable sacrifice, or to present to Jehovah the blind and the lame. And there, too, "the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." How great, then, must be the honor which they will present to the Saviour, if it were only from the consideration that it will be uninterrupted!

He will also bear surprising glory, because the acclamations of his redeemed will be eternal. As they see fresh wonders in him, they will present to him fresh praise and new honor; they will not grow weary of adoring the name of Jesus; but whilst unnumbered ages pass along, they will adore him, and cause him to " bear the glory.' For ever and ever will they adore his wisdom in conducting

the affairs of his church, his triumph in completing that spiritual temple; and while immortality endures, all their harps, and all their songs, will be employed in praising Jesus, the God of Zion.

Let me tell those who do not love to praise the Saviour now, that they are totally unfit to join the grand assembly above, and that they cannot be admitted into heaven, till they have higher thoughts of Jesus Christ, and lower thoughts of themselves: yea, till they are divinely taught to hate sin, and live here with that "holiness without which no man can see the Lord." Let me beg of the obstinate sinner, for his own sake, not to go on insulting this lovely, this glorious Redeemer, because he certainly will slay his enemies, with the sharp twoedged sword that goes out of his mouth; he will consume them with the brightness of his coming." Let me excite you all to join in praising Jesus; your obligations to him, Christian, are infinite: diffuse then the savour of his name in every place; ascribe to him the kingdom, the power, and the glory; say, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him." Blessed be his glorious name for ever; and "let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen."