The Sun fills the Air; where it diffuses Light, and creates Day.The Sun penetrates the Ocean; from whence it exhales Vapours, and forms the Clouds.-In the vegetable Creation, the Sun raises the Sap, and protrudes the Gems; unfolds the Leaves, and paints the Blossom; diftends the Fruit, and concocts the Juices.Turn we to the animal World; the Sun delights the Eye, and gladdens the Heart. It awakens Millions of Infects into Being; and imparts that general Joy, which every fenfible Creature feels. Indeed, there is nothing hid from the Heat thereof. Afp. Thus the LORD JESUS CHRIST, that true and only Sun of Righteousness, arifes on his People with Healing in his Wings *. So various, fo efficacious, and fo extensive are his Influences. Like a Sun, He inlightens and inlivens like Wings, He cherishes and protects : like a Remedy, He heals and restores. And all, by virtue of his Righteousness, on account of his Righteousness.- -Nor can We doubt, nor need We wonder, if We confider its Nature and its Author. Its Nature; it is confummately excellent, has every Kind, and every Degree of Perfection. Its Author; it is the Righteousness and Obedience of that incomparable PERSON, in whom dwells all the Fulnefs of the GODhead. * Mal. iv. 2. It It must therefore-You will permit me to fum up in a Word, what has been displayed at large-It must be fully answerable to the Demands of the Law, even in its highest Purity, and utmost Exactness.It is infinitely fuperior to the Demerit of Sin, and intirely abfolves from all Guilt, intirely exempts from all Condemnation. It is a most valid and never failing Plea, against the Accufations of Satan, and the Challenges of Confcience.-It establishes an undoubted Title to every Blessing, whether in Time or in Eternity, whether of Grace or of Glory.It is a fure Support for the Christian, in an Hour of Desertion, and in the Agonies of Death. Cafting Anchor on this Bottom, He may difmifs every Fear, and ride out every Storm. Leaning upon this Staff, He may go down to the Repose of the Grave; and neither be appalled at the folemn Harbingers of Diffolution, nor terrified at its far more awful Confequences.-The Merit of this Righteousness, and the Power of its DIVINE AUTHOR, will unfeal the Tomb; will bring forth the fleeping Duft from the Chambers of Putrefaction; and build up the whole Man into Immortality and Glory. By this He will be presented without Spot *; prefented faultlefs+; yea, be presented perfect‡, and with exceeding Joy, before the Throne. What * Eph. v. 27. + Jude 24. 1 Col. i. 28. |