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SERMON XXXIV.

OPPOSITION TO MESSIAH IN VAIN.

PSALM ii. 4.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

THE extent and efficacy of the depravity of mankind cannot be fully estimated by the conduct of Heathens destitute of divine revelation. We may say of the Gospel, in one sense, what the apostle says of the law, "It entered that sin might "abound."* It afforded occasion for displaying the alienation of the heart of man from the blessed God in the strongest light. The sensuality, oppression, and idolatry which have prevailed in all ages, sufficiently prove the wickedness of men to be very great. But the opposition which they who have rebelled against the government of their Creator, make to the proposals of his grace, is a proof still more striking. If sin has so hardened their hearts, and blinded their eyes, that of themselves they neither can nor will implore his mercy, yet it might be thought that if the great God, whom they have so heinously offended, should be pleased, of his own goodness, to make the first overtures of reconciliation, and to invite them to receive pardon, they would gadly attend to his gracious declaration; especially when they are informed,

Rom. v.
20.

that to preserve them from perishing, he gave up his only Son to sufferings and death. But when they not only defy his power but insult his goodness; when they reject and blaspheme the Saviour whom he commends to them; when they are but the more exasperated by his tenders of mercy; when they scorn his message, and persecute his messengers by whom he entreats them to be reconciled; this mad and ungrateful carriage shows such a rooted enmity against God in fallen men, as even the fallen angels are not capable of discovering. For MESSIAH "took not on him the "nature of angels," nor did he make proposals of mercy to them. But he did take upon nature. He visited us in person; for us he lived a sufferer, and died that we might live. The prophets foresaw and foretold the reception he would meet with, and their predictions were fulfilled. The Jews who professed to expect him, and the Heathens who had not heard of him, united their utmost efforts to withstand and defeat the purposes of his unexampled love. What must the holy angels think of the baseness, presumption, and obstinacy of such creatures!

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But rebellion against God is not only wickedness, but folly and infatuation in the extreme.

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Who ever hardened himself against the Lord "and prospered?"* He whom they opposed, and against whom they thought they had prevailed when they saw him dead upon the cross, soon resumed his glory, and his throne. The text there'fore principally respects the opposition made to his Gospel and to his kingdom after his ascension, which is still carrying on, but which always was, and always will be, in vain. The words I have

* Job, ix. 4.

read offer two points for the consolation of those who love him, and for the timely consideration of those who have hitherto disregarded him.

I. That "he sitteth in the heavens."

II. The notice he taketh of his enemies. He smiles at their rage, and treats both their power and their policy with contempt.

I. He whom God has anointed (therefore called MESSIAH), he against whom kings and rulers, nations and the people rage, " sitteth in the hea"vens." He has finished his great work, and entered into his rest; having by himself " purged “our sins," he is immovably seated on his throne, "at the right hand of the Majesty on high." He is the Head, King, and Lord of principalities, dominions, and powers, possessed of all authority, unchangeably fixed over all, "God blessed for "evermore." In this character he is the Representative, High Priest, Advocate, and Shepherd of all who put their trust in him. He is ever mindful of them. While he is preparing a place for them near himself, by the power of his Spirit he maintains an intercourse with them, and manifests himself to them as he does not to the world. By his providence, which ruleth over all, he manages their concerns upon earth, supplies their wants, and gives them present and effectual help and support in their time of trouble. To him their eyes and hearts are directed, "they look to "him and are enlightened," strengthened, and comforted. And under his protection they are safe. He having taken charge of them, and engaged to save them to the uttermost, "no weapon "formed against them can prosper." Now they may draw nigh to God with boldness, for they

* Heb. i. 3.- † Rom. ix, 5.

Psalm xxxiv. 5.

have One "who ever liveth to make intercession

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"for them." Now they may lay aside all anxious uneasy cares, for they have a mighty Friend who careth for them. Now they may say, each one for himself, I will trust and not be afraid, for "the Lord Jehovah is my strength, and my song, "and my salvation."* Whether you have indeed fled to him for refuge as the hope set before you, committed your soul to him, and accepted him in all his offices, as your Prophet, Priest, and King, is a point of experience. If you have, he knows it, for he enabled you to do it; and he will not disappoint the hope and expectation which he himself has wrought in you. If you have, methinks you must know it likewise. Have you not done it more than once? Do you not daily repeat this surrender of yourself to him? It is certainly possible to assent to the truths of the Gospel, considered merely as doctrines or propositions, yea, to plead and dispute for them with much seeming earnestness, and yet to be entirely a stranger to their power. But I trust that they to whom I now speak will understand me. Our Lord reminded Nathanael of what had passed under the fig-tree,t when he thought himself alone. Do not I remind you of seasons, when no eye but the eye of Him who seeth in secret was upon you? Did not you then and there, once and again, accept him as your Saviour upon the warrant of his own word, devote yourself to his service, resign yourself to his disposal, and intrust yourself to his care ? Then fear not. He that sitteth in the heavens is on your side. If the premises be well grounded, the inference is sure. And though many may rise up against you, they shall not prevail; for he will + John, i. 48..

* Isa. xii. 2.

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"teach your hands to war, and your fingers to fight," will cover your "head in the day of battle," and in the end "make you more than conqueror." For the battle is not yours, but the Lord's. Your enemies are his, and his cause is yours. They who associate against him shall be dashed in pieces, as the billows break and die upon a rocky shore.

II. The feebleness and insignificance of their rage against MESSIAH, is intimated by the manner in which he notices their proceedings. "He holds "them in derision, he laughs them to scorn." He has them perfectly under his control, holds them in a chain when they think themselves most at liberty, appoints the bounds beyond which they cannot pass, and can in a moment check them, and make them feel his hook and bridle, when in the height of their career.

It is the Lord's pleasure not only to favour and to support his people, but to do it in such a way that it may appear to be wholly his own work, and that the praise belongs to him alone. And therefore he permits their enemies for a season to try if they can prevent his designs. For a season, things take such a course that their attempts seem to prosper; they threaten, they boast, and confidently expect to carry their point. But the contest always issues in their shame and confusion. He not only disconcerts their schemes, but makes them instrumental to the promoting of his own designs. Thus when he sent Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt, Pharaoh, instead of complying with his command, increased their burdens, added to the rigour of their bondage, and, though rebuked by the succession of severe judgements, he hardened himself the more, and was determined to detain them if he could. But he could not detain them

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