to be wise above what is written, we shall find nothing in it to perplex our understandings, nothing that needs the remedy of our speculations, but every thing to warrant our steadfast confidence, our fervent faith, our unfeigned adoration.

If, however, we desire a little further satisfaction, we may find it in the remarks which occur under the next head of discourse, in which it was proposed,

3. To consider the reasons of this appointment; to inquire briefly and humbly into some of the causes why the Father of the universe, the kind and equal Parent of all, should himself judge no man, but commit all judgment to the Son.

We may, undoubtedly, find one reason in the circumstance to which we have already alluded. that it is the general method of God's administration to provide for and rule his creation by the agency of intermediate ministers. From this method we do not know that there is any departure. To maintain a uniformity with the general system we may readily suppose to be one reason of this judicial appointment. As he had led his people by Moses and Joshua, and taught them by the prophets, and chastened them by the heathen, and enlightened men by a special messenger, and reconciled and saved them by a chosen Mediator, so he would in like manner judge the world by his Son. It is one instance among multitudes of what is the established ordinance of the divine government.

Another reason for this appointment is contained in the remarkable expression of a verse, which I have already more than once cited" He hath appointed him to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man." There is something indescribably affecting in the disclosure which is thus made

of the tenderness of our heavenly Father. He who has

made all, and has a right to all, has not only forborne and cherished his sinful offspring here, and made punishment his strange work upon earth, but has extended his forbearance even to the last sad trial; has, if we may so represent it, descended from his throne of majesty, and stripped it of those terrors of vengeance and indignation, before which neither stubborn guilt nor timid innocence would be able to stand; and has purposed to issue the decisions of that awful day not even from the milder seat of paternal justicebut from the serene and sympathizing lips of the once human Savior; of one who had been in the world, and known the trials and weaknesses of flesh; who had himself combated temptation, and endured suffering, and been acquainted with grief; who is therefore capable of being touched with a feeling of our infirmities, and extending compassion to those who are out of the way. With such an advocate and judge, of whom all that we have known has been benevolent, tender, and forbearing, - we feel assured that mercy shall reign in the midst of judgment; that while severity flashes on the criminal, there shall yet be no room for unrelenting wrath; but every infirmity shall receive compassion, and all possible allowance be made for the weakness of the flesh and the seductions of the world. Let the timid and desponding disciple be comforted and at peace. Let the tempted and tried, the sorrowing and. fearful, give way to no despair. For it is to Him, who bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows, who breaks not the bruised reed, nor quenches the smoking flax-it is to him that judgment has been committed, "because he is the Son of man."

66

Thus has this appointment been made for the purpose of manifesting the compassion of God. Mercy belongeth unto thee, O Lord; because thou renderest to every man

according to his works."* Rich, indeed, that mercy! which began with the mission of the Savior, and is consummated in the gracious tenderness of the judgment-seat! What an aggravation to the guilt of that man, who can still go on, hardening himself in sin, and who will carry nothing but corrupt and obstinate disobedience to the presence of eternal love!

4. We were to notice, in the last place, the duty which is, in consequence of this doctrine, imposed upon us. This is stated by our Lord himself in the words succeeding our text —“that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father." In consequence of this appointment to judge the world, it becomes our duty to render to him the reverence, submission, and confidence, which appertain to the great Sovereign in whose name he acts. The honors which belong to the prince are demanded for his ambassador. The Lord said, "They who receive you receive me; and they who receive me receive him who sent me.' hath highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue confess him to be Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This is one appointed test of devotion to God. A right spirit of subjection and submission to him. will necessarily be manifested by confidence, faith, and trust in him whom he has commissioned to refuse which is an evidence of disrespect toward the Sovereign himself.

"God

But this is not our only duty. If Christ is to sit on the judgment-seat, we are to stand before it, and give account of every work which we have done, and of every secret thought, whether it be good or whether it be evil. For that day we are to prepare. The thought of it should have in

* Psalm lxii. 12.

fluence upon the whole habitual frame of our minds, and the entire character of our lives. It should make sin our abhorrence, and holiness our delight. It should excite us to diligence in the work of obedience and faith, that we may be found blameless and accepted at last. It should lead us to familiar acquaintance with that Word according to which our destiny shall be determined, and to the devout performance of every duty it enjoins; that so we may be welcomed to the joy of our Lord, and not be cast out with the rejected and impenitent.

Finally, brethren, since so momentous consequences depend on the account we are to give at the judgment-seat of Christ, let us accustom ourselves to reflect on the nature of this office, on the authority by which he is invested with it, the reasons for which it is committed to him, and the duties which thence are demanded of us. Let us thus cherish and confirm our conviction of the supremacy of the God and Father of all, and of that excellent grace which is here exhibited. Let us habitually reverence and submit to the authority which he has laid upon his Son. Let us feel with what diligent and grateful fidelity, and with what scrupulous dread of sin, we should look forward to the day of final recompense; when the penitent and believing shall viewwith joy the smiles of the Redeemer's face; when the unbelieving and disobedient shall taste tenfold anguish from the very tenderness of that compassionate Judge, who shall pity while he condemns.

SERMON X.

ON HONORING THE SON.

JOHN V. 22.

THAT ALL MEN SHOULD HONOR THE SON, EVEN AS THEY HONOR THE FATHER.

It is impossible to contemplate the character and offices of our Lord Jesus Christ without perceiving that exalted honor is due to him. The insensibility of that man can hardly be conceived, who should be able to question or withhold it. We yield a tribute of respect to the good men with whom we meet in the ordinary intercourse of life; and every distinguished benefactor is accounted to deserve the distinguished gratitude and respect of his fellow-men. No one, therefore, who has the common feelings of a man, can deny to Jesus Christ his claims to reverence, gratitude, and honor; whose character exhibits the perfection of moral excellence; whose history is connected with the most wonderful works of universal benevolence, worthy the counsels of heaven; who was declared to be the Son of God by a voice from above; proved himself the friend of men by his labors in their cause, and the conqueror of death by his resurrection from the tomb; who is declared to be "the brightness of God's glory and the express image of his