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t: iatoiual ciiaract;-;:! o •'chic.-: - .
By the mediatorial crania r of < ‘Hr st, \yr arc t >
ttnderstrm-J. not his essential, but hiabfiickil elmr;i•■•■ ■:• :
that which lie, as mediator, sustains iu the economy of
man’s redemption. Had iiiju never or e.yat*
iugj.{uniquevuf. Allfin ; or. jtjAjj ifevef Lecii re-j
deemed, the Eternal Son i.ovcKassumed
the name of Jesus Christ or HiemtllfcLgHis is, un
questionably, that new name spoken offa* bool; of
Revelation, iii. 10, and that name which is aCove every
name, made mention of in the passage now before us.
Entering upon the glorious work of man’s redemption,
he assumes anew name, and sustains a now character.
This eharaefftr is commonly denominated his mediate*-
Via!'charno'eJl I'fjcsJtipe ofour text vrougJMead us,
however,” tuj speak tio* so much of those oqjces which!
belong. to rife mediatorial character of Christ, as of that 1
union of the human and divine nature in the person of
Christ,.upon whmli die mediatorial character is*lound-
Wv.and which.’ gives to it all its dignity, and
’ ‘■•m.'’. -i.;))
will be necessary Hu-us; by sound scri|taraargu
ment, to this proposition, ‘that Jesus Christ,
as Af;tlmtnr t 'jwss‘’sses two natures —the divine and ku-<
■nan, iit b/.y.s/ rions, y:t disharmonious union. This is:
a doctrine of prime importance. It lies at the vary’
foundation oi the whole Christian system ; and with it,;
the most precious hopes of the believer must live orj
die. No wonder, then, if we be tenacious for this doc
trine ; no wonder'd we cling to it as the miser clings!
to his gold ; tor, “if the foundations be destroyed,
what can the righteous do?” In establishing this’
!>oint, we shall adduce only one argument, with some
collateral proofs —1 say only one argument, but that,
humbly conceived to be, both clear and unanswera
ble—it is this: In this volume, ihe Bible, there are cer
tain tilings affirmed of Jesus Qhrist, which can _pr> >-
perfy be aiiirtaed only of the hi mi iin'nre ; afid yet,
in the very same volume, certain oilier Uj ugs mo af
firmed of him which can properly be affirmed only of
the divine nature. Now these two classes of aflii na
tions, in the very nature of the ease, cannot bo true,ex-!
cepton the principle that Jesus Christ possesses, as w
liave said, both the human and divine nature, in my
tcrious. yet all-harmonious union. How do we p; \
that a living man possesses both a soul and body :n
union / A ery much in this way. Speaking of if:
man, for example, I say that he has flesh, bones, Wood,
aud is mortal. These things, we all see, belong not t- -
his soul, but to his body, and prove—what? certain!.
that he has a true body. Yet, speaking of the very
same individual, I change my language, and also af
iirm Unit he lias memory* will, and understanding. and
is immortal. Now here is anew set of utinbum
which evidently belong not to the body. l ot m th
soul, and prove—whutE assuredly. that*this man has
also a soul, a reasonable soul. Tin- connecting lini.
between the soul and the body or \ !.•• (.••a :;h
union may be absolutely inscrutable. It main rs not,
the facts are clear, and. therefore the inference is irre
sistible : this man has,”- in ihimself, mind and matter
united ; ho Jins both a sbul and a body, in mysterious,
yet all-hannomou.s union. Now let us bring lhisprin-j
cipleof reasoning to bear upon the case in hand. And!
first, with regard to the human nature of Christ.—|
Here we need not enlarge ; tire doctrine is not contro
verted ; we need only remind you of those passages of
Scripture, which tell us plainly, that Jesus Christ was’
born of a woman—was made under the law ; and that;
he wept, hungered, thirsted, died ! These things, we!
THE T R ITT II T A LOVE.
Pe-SsH, Gocrgb, Hi;l f, Hi*’.
■ all sod, appertain not to tlie divsf . nature. ! .<i t > the
; human, and prove—what ?’ Cera lily that .* Ctirist
: possessed the human nainfe/waC*.cry rv.m, had a true
Ijiiody, and a reasonable soul; was ar. truly*a man as
;b-.ny m this assembly. This ten #foo.otis doolruio ; we
[have neve,* deiiied it—the aposj never did—llls l;m
----"gunge is lids: •• Forasmuch a.s f -*j children weie pm
flesh an i blood, he ali’ hh.vvlt took part o.
A
!j Ful will! regard to the sve aSpo’tif, tjirit iu eonne t
vv.ib the human nature ‘‘'ttfTljn v.our also posse.-.--..-d
a uaiiire strictly spe- king (Hcjp*., Notice the affirma
tions in our tex.yv who,"being iu the brru ol'G.ul,
thought it not robbery to be eon;.! with Cud.” 1! iv
• are two affirmations, having reference to the supreme
divinity ot Christ. Take the lirst, •• Yv’ho bein’ -in the
dorm of Cod. Here the apostle,-affirms that, <.rig 11 ■ll -
,ly, Jesus Chi Ist was in the lorm oi Cod.. .Sow a.i ‘ iml
iis an infinite sp.rit. possessed ohineniniYitiiueable nttri
; bates, and arrayed in pacrlcVit uncreated glorv.it Is ve
ry certain that no mere creature can possess the real
: >rm oi God. m:d that it is the real and not ar similar.
dorm of Cod, is evident froi.ii what the apostle says in
ihis epistle to ti:o Hebrew's, i. ” where ho. declare:- J ■
•Isns Christ to be the brightness-''-’ tlio Father's giorv.
(iand the exprei-a image oi Iris person. “ The bright
messof the Father’s gb-ry/’ AeW . s the hrightnes.-. oi
jtlio natural sun m i!ie heaven:-; is -of tile rrme nature
jand date with that great luminary itself, and may be
olistiilgiiislied, bui.no: separaieiUevon so. in tlie unity
lot the Godhead, the. Father utul the .'bm ; re in essence
one and the same, co-equal, co-eternal. They may be
distinguished, bulijoi ; -p.-u ai.-d. lien, tl.erofoiv, ti:
japostie tied, res llmt .1 ■...; Clirirt was .a ti; • f r.:i of
•|Clod, the idea is this, that Jesus Christ possesses hlm
jself, really and substantially, all -the perk ctious of Cod
I tile Father's person, in eouiimvttiuti of this, noice
!t lie following remarl.alile ilicts : -J. That t!ie sntdlmest
! works of the supremo Coil are ascribed to Christ.— ks
,creation the work ol Cod ! ’-a man deni. .-: it; and
•yet John teds us t!::’\ -At: a;r- ry imtCtfJ.iy him ;
ilifnl *.v:i.Ucul U i\. ve::s ms? nay thing m.t.h, iJi.o v.'-.u
itnatle.” John i. Is presor rati >u the work of Cod I
Uyfio denies that ! An I yet I’a'd tells us tli.it, Josiis:
j Christ njdiohlcih all tilings by tln| word oi iiis power,
liiel). i. ti. Is the wr h oi res.irrect.on the wori; o.
God / Who hut an oiimipoteiil Cod can wake up the
slumbering nations of the dead, whose ashes have been
scattered to die four wind.-, of heaven; buried, it may
be, beneath tiie mountain's la.se and the ocean's
Hvave ! Yet the blessed aviour says -/ am the re
surrection and the life; 1 w.li raise him up at the last
db.y.” John xi. 5i5. is hr-Work of final ju lg .unit the
’work of Cod ? idle Bible says expres.- ly, Cos l !>
pudge himself, and yet the apostle says, ~ Wo mu ■! a!:
•appear hefoie llie judgmeu'-.;e::t. of Christ.*’ ItCay
v,JO. But the doctrine bes i‘ei > fajls iu with auother
Ijlei'asW'JuiMe fact, timt t! ■ linn:, t nanu-s of the sag
‘pK-me Cod uru given to J Curl, i, h'h,
! tlla. s everlrsiiug b’atlier, ad li'essiug the Sou, says
Vliyftlirniic, (!) Cod, is !or ever an-, ever.” i l •!.,;. o.
Cod;” ‘t!:.:s John : ays, ‘ Je.,us >'hr;.;l, tin is
the- true ori.” t . j, v, uO. -.Aiiglity G
tx. (5. “‘The Lord of Glory.” 1 Coy. u. ; . “Tlie
Prince ol Life.” Acts iii. Hi. - The Fast and the
Last.” iie\. ii. is. “The Alinig ty.” Lev. i. {>.
“Over all, God blessed for ever.’.’ Uotn. ix. ■>. Now,
give these names to Tutor or to Paul, to ALchac!, to
Gabriel, to the loltiest an;; I in lieaven, and Uictc ;s
plasphemy in it; and yet they are given to Chri !
that, 100, by loose who spala; as they were move.-! by’
tlie Holy Ghost. This can be accounted for only by
[the laci stated, that Jesus Christ possesses in himself,
really and substantially, ail the perfections of Cod th.
Father’s person. And notice how this doctrine fa:!.
•in with another remarkable fact, that the sublimes!
honors of the Supreme God are given to Jesus Christ.:
Witness the language ot Thomas—“ Mv Lord and my
’God.” Witness what is said of Stephen, the first mar
tyr —“ And they stoned Stephen,calling upon God, and
saying, Lord Jesus receive my spirit.” Witness the
I form of baptism : “lu the name of the Father, and ol
|the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Now, whatever is
‘to be implied in the name of the Father, is of course,
also to be implied in the name of the Son. Hut hark !
.pasaris are sounding in tlie world above ! “Worthy
is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and
|riches, and wisdom, and honor, and glory, and bless -
ing.” Rev. v. ]g. There is no adoration loftier than j
!this ;no worship, more strictly speaking, divine; yet!
Jo-us Christ is the object of it. What makes tills mut
ter more remarkable, is ibis; ft is written, “Thou
shall worship the Lord thy God, ami him only slirdt
..thou serve.” Accordingly, we iiml that no<o.o ! nan.
no good angel, ever consented to receive divine !:■
ors. A.i good man —Paul a: I Ijaruaiias wer. 1 !
men : havin':; wrought a stop. : !ous miracle at
. t!:e people cr.ed out, :u the I cgi.;::. ■ o! Cw.;, n
i ;;c gmls. have come down to ns iu the ih.cn..-s .a
men:” and tlie priests of Jupiter hr- .-Jit oxe,: an !
garlands to the gates of tlie city, and would have <; t.-j
s n'ilice wt!i ti..; people—\von:d luivo j- - -I i'.u . • • i
Barnabas divine honors. Did these good men coa
st it f They rent their cloil.es, and ran in union
the people, crying out and saying. •• Mirs ! why do
these things ? we are men of Ida* passions v. !th you. ’
Ao good angel ever consented to receive il-vm ■ si
n's. You recollect a good ai! ,r cl oi -e appeal 1 -
John, in da- Isle of Ji n and izaled by lie es
-1 il fence of his splendor, fell down at his ! ’ et t > w r
ish'ip him. Did this gbiid angel chnsent to receiv ; this
divine lionor ! He was in a hurry i-> re; .-! it: -1; : i
‘ thy fe’ilow r. -lit —Worship Cod.” b ii.. a, i, •:/
•good men ami angels all point to supremo divim y ; ;
he only proper object of religious x\ orship ai l ; >r i
tion. Now, is it, not r. .uar.k:i ,-:o tla.t the blessed >
viour himsell appeared to the same ,:.|iu, in ti. u.i.o
Isle of Jki linos, mid John, da/.zied by the eff;i! reuce -f
Im; splendor. I-.'!! down at hi..; f g also / id I
blessed b>a>. .o:.r give the lijily lostle auv char e
agmust ivit: hipping hint ! F-iai'.k tbc ilitibrei.e I I : •
and bis right hand upon h in. say.iig. “ Fear r. i
‘ho I'.rst and tlie L:i:;[ | !am J lv - t!i ;11 livt :!i ami . ;
[dead, and behold Jam alivo for evermore .-.mcii; ami
have the keys of hell and of death Ai.d ili.s r- -
minds me ol that sublime dox in lured I. v files -o■ •
!o in Fatmos, iu hi.-: own mime a.. It of the wi:< !e
church, militant and triy.mpl -nt —*• Hnto ! i; m tint! v
e 1 tis and washe ! us I’roni our fi jiu bis o wii IF !,
and hath made us ki ijs aud prii sts unto (,’od and i
I a nther; to him he glory ami dominion, for ever;-. 1
M .i Y. A-Uv/W \iho,h.:Ve:i us uml vr:;.-!: i; •;
Iroin our sins a, i.ir own ‘d ue'—b.. i.„ ... •
[domiii-on, for aver an,l ever.” Let any hi iug be in
: vested with glory and domuuou t- r ever and ever, imd
die is invested v. di the honors ot snpreniedivinkv—!. i
:ascends the throne ot the uui verso, and lie is iu:i M
rated God over all! These thin;:: ,in relation !-> Je
sus Ciirist, are very remarkable and can In: e::n!uiis-’
ins i humbly conceive, on!v on the ground alreudv s! -
ted, that Je ais ; Ihfist possesses in, h'rnsel'f. really a I
substantially, all tin* perfections of God the Father’s
! person. In confirmation ol tills position, take lh’ n
--oge of scripture : ’ ikklip s-;ith am > him, Lord. .’- -w
| as the Fatlier, and it sunkaeth a-,. Jesus sat Ii tin .
dim. Have I been s . hag lime w.th y-m. and yet
thou nut iUiown me, i/ia.qi ! ho t.,a, uadi seen ,/.v ba:.i
I seen tlie F.i'lut : and how saytal thou then, Show us
the b a tiler ! Jei. e vcas. !Iniu!a>.. .itt am m ihe Faiii
-r. a..,i die r itlier in me / Juim xiv. H. p. 1 1>. k >
■ crown tlie matter, notice bow the apostle exorosaes
the doetruio almost in lac verv words which we ir i -:
uttered :” hi ium [Jesus ( dir,at] dwelloth all the
ness ol the C idhead bodily, ( 01. ii. il. i i■-w stroi r
,s this hingua. re ! Every word empliati • ! In hi u.
Jesus t” r d,vvellet!i all the i ilness of the (’ Hit ad
buddy, it this does not express the idea -f God incar
nate—literally Cod iuranta! ■ —what idea does it pr •-
seat / And -here 1 would remark—as thought, v/r'i!c:i
or uttered, is-llmught embodied, so Christ, in ban:: u
•orm, is God made manifest in the lie. ii.
Having introduced the term “Godhead,” permit mb
Ito make a remark or two touching the m\'stcrio-is a.nd
sublime doctnue of the Trinity. Id-mio stumble a; ...
and why l Un tiie supposed ground of its involving
au absurdity. Now, we positively affirm, that the
; doctrine of a triune God, as we receive it, does no! in
volve even tlie shadow of an absurdity ; tor, when we
say that there tiro three persons in the Godhead, the
; Father, the Son, and the jloly Ghost, and these three
‘are one t md, the same in substance, equal in pow, ri ,ni
glory—observe, we do not say that they are litre •. m
tiie same,sense in which they are one, nor one in the
same sense ill which they are three. That would be
-an absurdity : we simply say, in one sense three, in an
other sense one. Is there any thing incredible in this i
By no means. Rain, hail and snow, are three distiuc
i * ions of one and the very same element. And although
I would not say that rain is hail, nor that hail is snow,
‘yeti will say, what I have a right to say, and what is
J. 7. BI.AIX • •
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