Jehovah is the King and Savior of His People

PROP. I. THE Lord Jehovah is the Judge of his Church and People.

THE Verb is observed to signify to Judge, to pass Sentence, and to execute Judgment. The Power of a Judge is Executive, and his Business is to take care that the Laws be duly Executed. As the Word is used in Scripture, and applied to GOD, it signifieth his pleading the Cause of his People, and delivering them out of the hands of them that oppress them. GOD is the Judge of all Men, and hath appointed a Day in which he will Judge the World in Righteousness, by that Man whom he hath Ordained. But then this is the peculiar Privilege of the People of GOD, that theirLord is their Judge. Thus it is promised, Deut. 32.36. The Lord shall judge his People. Heb. 12.22. Ye are come unto Mount Zion, to GOD the Judge of all. And indeed these words of our Text may look forward as far as the last and general Judgment. The Servants of GOD commit their cause unto him, and he doth and will appear to do them Justice against their oppressors. They have a gracious and favorable access to GOD's Judgment Seat, and it is their strong Consolation that all Judgment is committed to the Lord Jesus Christ, their Head and Redeemer: Having their Persons justified thro' his Righteousness, and being sanctified by his Spirit; They may say, Job 13.18, 19. I know I shall be justified. Who is he that will plead with me? Here to show what may be implied in GOD's being the Judge of his People. We may say,

1. THIS may imply, That GOD appoints and orders out to them the Judgments inflicted on them in this Life.

GOD in his Providence chastiseth his People for their Iniquities in this Life; but then he Corrects them with Judgment. He sometimes makes use even of wicked Men, as the Rod of his Anger in this matter; however he sets bounds to their Rage. There's a vast difference between the Judgments GOD brings on his People, and on impenitent Sinners, as to the ground of them, and their final Issue. GOD loveth his People while he chastens them; he designs their Good by their Afflictions, and gives them reason to say, It is good for them that they have been afflicted. 1 Cor. 11.32. When we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

2. GOD will acquit his People, and declare their Righteousness.

IN this World their Judgment is often taken away. Their Right is turned away before the most High, and their Cause perverted. Many a time have they been misrepresented accused and condemned unjustly; but GOD will admit their Appeal, and reverse these Judgments. Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do Right? Most certainly he will. The great Day will be the Revelation of the Judgment of GOD, when all shall be able to discern between the Righteous and the Wicked, and be obliged to own, There is a GOD who judgeth in the Earth. For then will he give to his People the white Stone in the most Public manner, and pronounce them Righteous before the whole World. Their Judgment shall be brought forth as the light, and their Righteousness as the Noon-day. Psal. 96.10. — He shall judge the people righteously.

3. As their Judge, GOD will give his People a glorious Reward.

THE Lord JESUS CHRIST who hath purchased the recompense of Reward by his perfect Obedience in doing and suffering the Will of GOD, makes that gracious Promise, Be thou faithful unto Death, and I will give thee a Crown of Life . The SON OF GOD will Reward his People according to their Works, though' all be of free Grace. Some Rewards he gives his Disciples upon Earth as an Earnest: There are temporal and spiritual Blessings, which they now receive, and in the great Day of Judgment they shall receive a Crown of Righteousness. 2 Tim. 4.8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give at that Day; and not to me only; but to all them that love his appearing.

4. IT may imply, That GOD will execute Judgment on their implacable Enemies.

VENGEANCE is the LORD'S, and he will repay it. 2 Thes. 1.6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you, GOD hath often appeared for his People in the Judgments which he hath executed on their Enemies. Thus he appeared as the Judge of his People when he over-threw Pharaoh and his Host in the Red-Sea. Thus did he appear when he raised up Judges who were Instruments in his hand of delivering his People, and destroying their Enemies. Thus will CHRIST appear when he shall destroy Antichrist, by the Brightness of his Coming. And thus in an eminent manner, when he shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels, in flaming Fire, taking Vengeance on them that know not his Name, and obey not his Gospel . For then shall those Enemies of GOD and his People, be punished with everlasting Destruction from the Presence of the Lord, and the glory of his Power.

USE 2. LEARN, That it is a very dangerous thing falsely to Accuse, and wrongfully Condemn the People of GOD.

IT hath been common for them to have things laid to their Charge they are not guilty of. The Christians were a Sect everywhere spoken against, Acts 28.22. They are often dressed up in Bear-skins that they may be baited. But Woe to such as do in this way hinder them from doing or receiving Good: For GOD will plead their Cause in the Day of Vengeance. And dreadful, very dreadful will their Condemnation be who shall then be found guilty of this crying Sin.

2. THIS should Comfort GOD's People under all the Reproaches & Evils they are loaded with in this World.

WHO is he that Condemneth, it is GOD that Justifieth? They may indeed for the present be under great difficulties upon this account. Men may speak evil of them, and they may be loaded with Curses; but GOD will Bless. They shall be clothed in white Raiment, and CHRIST will not blot out their Names out of the Book of Life; but will confess them before his Father, and the holy Angels. They may now lie in the Dust; but they shall arise & shine; and the things that now obscure them, shall be done away as the shades of the Night are chased away before the rising Sun. Now this consideration should Comfort the faithful Servants of GOD under Reproaches, and Encourage them to commit themselves to him that Judgeth righteously. The Apostle says, 1 Cor. 4.3. — With me it is a small thing that I should be judged of you, or man's judgment. — ver. 4. — He that judgeth me is the Lord. If we approve ourselves to the Lord, and obtain his Euge, we are safe and happy: and in the believing Prospect of this, GOD's People should now Rejoice.

3. LET us not rashly Judge and Condemn one another.

WE must take heed we do not rashly Censure others. Mat. 7.1. Judge not, that ye be not judged. Not that all Judging is unlawful; but for Men without any Call or Warrant from GOD to cite their Neighbor to their Bar, and pass Sentence against him; this is a great Evil we should beware of, and that from this Consideration, that the LORD is our Judge. Rom. 14.10. Why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. O let us look to our Hearts & Ways, that our own Consciences may not condemn us! And not be hasty to condemn others. 1 Cor. 4.5. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come —.

PROP. II. THE Lord Jehovah is the Law-giver of his People.

IT is GOD's Prerogative, who hath made all things, to give Law to the whole Creation. But in a peculiar manner GOD is a Law-giver to the moral World of Angels & Men, who are Causes by Counsel, and capable of understanding the Rules according to which GOD will have them Act. GOD is a Law-giver to all Men. He hath given them the moral Law which is of divine & unchangeable Right. And though' this Law which was at first written on Man's Heart in a fair Character be dreadfully defaced by Sin, yet the most barbarous Nations have some knowledge as of a Deity, so his Law, by the Light of Nature, Rom. 2.14, 15.

BUT now, GOD is in a more appropriate sense a Law-giver to his People, in that he gives them his written Word, and writes his Laws in their Hearts by his Spirit. Psal. 147.19, 20. He showeth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation. GOD's ancient People received from him the Moral Law. Exod. 20. Deut. 32.2. The Lord came from mount Sinai — from his right hand went a fiery Law for them —. It was delivered out of the midst of the fire. The Ceremonial Law; containing the Ordinances of GOD's Worship appropriated to the Church State under that Dispensation. The Judicial Law; which was suited to their Civil Polity, in which respect the Jewish Nation was a Theocracy. As to the Moral Law, our Savior himself hath said, I am not come to destroy the Law and the 'Prophets, but to fulfil. As to the Ceremonial Law, this is abolished by CHRIST the Head. Eph. 2.15. He abolished in his flesh the law of commandments contained in ordinances. And now our SAVIOUR as the only Head of his Church, and Lord of his own House, hath appointed those Laws and Ordinances whereby he will have his professing People governed to the End of the World. Mat. 28.10, 20. Go ye teach all Nations — Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you —. He hath given the most excellent Rules for regulating his People both with respect to their inward and outward Man. And these bind the Conscience; for they are His, who is the Lord of Conscience.

USE, I. LEARN the great Sin & Evil of Disobedience in a professing People.

DISOBEDIENCE to the Laws of GOD, our Maker and Sovereign, must needs be a great Evil. This brought Disorder and Confusion into the World at first. The Sins of the Heathen are provoking to GOD, and render them obnoxious to his righteous Judgments. How much more heinous must be the Sin of those who have the written Word of GOD, GOD Articl'd against his People of old that he had written to them the great things of his Law, but they were counted as a strange thing, Hos. 8.12. O let us take Care then to yield Obedience to CHRIST: For to him that knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is Sin, Jam. 4, 17. And such may expect to be beaten with many stripes.

2. HOW happy are the Church and People of GOD who have GOD for their Law-giver.

Deut. 4.7. What nation is there so great, that hath Judgments so righteous, as all this Law which I set before you. The Laws of GOD are all holy, just and good. There's nothing oppressive in them. CHRIST's Yoke is Easy — None of his Commands are grievous. Indeed the Lusts of Men make them uneasy under them; but they are all suited to make his People holy and happy. O happy! thrice happy, did we understand our Privilege in this respect. Blessed are you People of the Lord! Let Greece boast in her admired Solon: And the Lucedemonians in their celebrated Lycurgus. But O Zion do thou Rejoice in CHRIST JESUS thy Law-giver, who is infinitely Wise, infinitely Just, infinitely Good.

3. LET the People of GOD yield a cheerful Obedience to the Laws of GOD.

LET us have a great Regard to the weighty matters of GOD's Law, and esteem his Judgments to be desired more than Gold, yea than much fine Gold. Let us hearken to them, and diligently observe them; because it is our Life. Let us take Care to keep the Worship of GOD pure and entire without Corrupt mixtures of Man's Invention. For one great reason why our Fore-fathers lest their native Country, and came into this Land was, that they might observe the Orders and Ordinances of CHRIST, without the Inventions of Men. Let us then stand fast in that Liberty wherewith CHRIST hath made us free.

PROP. III. THE Lord Jehovah is the King of his People.

GOD is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lord's: His Dominion ruleth over all. But in an especial manner is he King in Zion. Isa. 44.6. Thus saith the Lord, the King of Israel. GOD governs the whole World, and makes the wrath of Man to praise him; but it is his People that willingly submit to his divine Authority. Isa. 63.19. We are thine, thou never barest rule over them, they were not called by thy Name. Now GOD hath set his SON at the Head of the whole Creation, and Rules by Him. Unto the SON he saith, Thy Throne, O God, is forever, a Scepter of Righteousness is the Scepter of thy Kingdom, Heb. 1.8. He who is in the Form of GOD —. was made in the likeness of Men; and being found in fashion as a Man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Cross. Wherefore FOD hath highly exalted him, and given him a Name which is above every Name . He is gone into Heaven, and is on the right Hand of GOD, Angels, Authorities & Powers being made Subject to him. The great GOD our SAVIOUR makes his Angels ministering Spirits, and by him Kings Reign. He removeth Kings, and serveth up Kings, Dan. 2.21. Here, that we may a little illustrate this great Truth, I shall very briefly consider these following particulars;

1. GOD hath constituted & anointed his Son to he the King of his People.

As GOD, all Power is His Essentially. I and my Father are one, Job. 10.30. As Mediator, He receiveth the Kingdom from his Father: The Father of Glory hath called him to this high Office, and invested him with it. Psal. 2.6, 7. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son —.

2. THE Son of GOD subdueth his People to himself, and sets up his Kingdom in their Hearts.

THEY were all by Nature under the Dominion of Sin, and Tyranny of Satan, who Rules in the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience. Having rebelled against their rightful Lord, they became the Slaves of this Usurper. But now our Lord JESUS CHRIST casts down Satan from his usurped Throne, and sets up his Kingdom in the Hearts of his People, 2 Gor. 10.4, 5. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty thro' God to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. He hath reconciled them that were Enemies in their Minds by wicked Works , bound the strong one, and spoiled him of his goods. When He pleaseth, in his majesty he rides prosperously because of truth and righteousness: His arrows of Conviction are sharp in the Hearts of his Enemies, and they fall down under him, being subdued to the obedience of Faith.

3. THE People of GOD make Choice of CHRIST for their King.

THEY that belong to his visible Kingdom, own him as their King, and swear Allegiance to him, receiving the Sacraments, by which their solemn Obligations to be his faithful and obedient Subjects, are signed & sealed. And true Believers swear with all their hearts. CHRIST is their Head and LORD by their own voluntary Choice and free Election: for he inclines their Hearts to accept of him by his victorious Power & Grace. When his Spirit comes upon them, they say, Thine we are, O Son of David, and on thy side. O Lord our God, other Lord's have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name, Isa. 26.13. Thus his People are willing in the day of his Power, Psal. 110.3. This King Reigns in their Hearts. Let the Title of earthly Princes be ever so Just, yet sometimes their People are Rebellious, and will not do the Homage which is their due. But when the Lord JESUS CHRIST takes to himself his great Power and Reigns, there's a mighty Change made on the Hearts of his Subjects, so that they bow down and submit to his equal Scepter, and that with a willing Mind.

4. WHATEVER is done in the Church of CHRIST, must be done in his Name, and by his Authority.

HE is the Lord of this spiritual House. Heb. 3.6. But Christ as a Son over his own House: whose House are we —. He hath made the Laws & Ordinances whereby it is governed, as we have heard; and all that is done by the Officers of his appointment, must be done in his Name, and according to his declared Will. They act as Servants under him, and their Power is ministerial not lordly, 1 Pet. 5.3. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the Flock. Col. 3.17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving Thanks to GOD and the Father by him.

5. THE Lord JESUS CHRIST governs all things in the Kingdom of 'Providence with an especial regard to the Welfare of his People.

Eph. 1.22. And hath put all things under his feet, and given him to be Head over all things to the Church. The LORD governs the whole World with an Eye to the Salvation of his People, Isa. 43.3. For I am the Lord thy GOD, the holy One of Israel, thy Savior, I gave Egypt for thy Ransom.

6. The Lord JESUS CHRIST protects his People, and subdueth their Enemies for them.

HE fights their Battles, and gives them the Victory — Exod. 15.6. Thy right hand, O Lord is become glorious in power: Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the Enemy. Rom. 8.37. In all these things we are more than Conquerors, thro' him that loved us. But something further of this may be considered under the last Proposition. I shall now in a word or two Improve this Proposition.

USE 1. Is CHRIST the King of his People, We should then do our utmost that his Kingdom may flourish and be established among us.

GREAT is our Privilege that his visible Kingdom is set up among us, and very strong are our Obligations to submit to his Government ourselves, and to endeavor that it may flourish in the hearts of others. We are directed to Pray, Thy Kingdom come; Now in this Kingdom GOD the Father Rules by his Son. And it is spiritual. Rom. 14.17. The Kingdom of God is not meat & drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost. Let us then, in our several Places, employ our Talents, that Sobriety, Righteousness & Godliness may be maintained & increased among us. And especially, Let such as are vested with Authority be in all humility entreated to exert themselves mightily for the Honor of GOD and the advancement of pure Religion. And O that there were such a Spirit in us all! that we might unite as one Man in this great and good Work: For GOD declares, that the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness & assurance forever .

USE 2. THE People of GOD should Rejoice in their King.

HERE is matter of universal Joy: The Lord reigns, let the Earth rejoice. It is owing to this, that there is any good Order and civil Peace among the Heathen, though' they know not GOD, as manifested in his Son JESUS CHRIST. How should Zion then rejoice and triumph in her King! Zeph. 3.14, 15. Sing, O daughter of Zion, shout O Israel, be glad & rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem — The King of Israel, even the Lord is in the midst of thee —. Certainly these are good Tydings of great Joy, which may well Comfort those that mourn in Zion, Isa. 52.7. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

USE 3. LET us all Submit to the Lord JESUS CHRIST as our King.

THIS glorious King says, Rev. 3.20. Behold, I stand at the door & knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me. O let us then open our Hearts unto CHRIST! He now sits on a Throne of Grace, and holds out his Scepter to us: Let us then draw nigh and touch it by Faith, and he will grant us our Petition; yea he will give us a Kingdom. But Woe, ten thousand Woes will be to us, if we finally reject him, and refuse to have this Man to Rule over us; for he hath not only a golden Scepter to rule his willing People; but also a Rod of Iron to dash in pieces his Enemies.

PROP. 4. THE Lord Jehovah will Save his People.

As they do Homage to Him; so he will protect them and beautify them with his Salvation. GOD is the Savior of all Men; specially of those that believe: He saves them to the uttermost, that trust in him & rely upon him. Happy art thou O Israel. Who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the Shield of thy Help, and who is the Sword of thy Excellency — Beut. 33.29. The Title given to GOD is that, O God of Israel, the Savior, Isa. 45.15. Zion may sing, as Isa. 26.1, 2. We have a strong City, Salvation will God appoint for walls & bulwarks. Open ye the Gates that the righteous Nation, which keepeth the truth may enter in. v. r. 3. Thou wilt heep him in perfect 〈◊〉 , whose mind is stayed on thee; because he 〈◊〉 in thee. GOD will be a Wall of Fire round about his People, and the glory in the midst of them, and upon all their glory will he create a defense. The Church is his Vineyard, and he will watch over it night & day, that no man hurt it, Isa. 27.3. Such gracious Promises as these are made to the Church and People of GOD. And as for all such as believe in GOD, thro' JESUS CHRIST, He will give them Salvation with eternal Glory.

I would further say,

I. THE Lord will save his People from all their Enemies, and every Evil. He redeems his Israel out of all Adversity. More particularly,

HE will deliver his People from Sin.

THIS is the worst of Evils, and the Cause of all Evil. But our Lord saves his People from it, Matth. 1.21. — Thou shalt call his Name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their Sins. When the SON of GOD in our Nature suffered on the Cross, He condemned Sin in the Flesh For he was made Sin for us, who know no Sin, that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him, 2 Cor. 5.22. GOD laid upon him the Iniquities of all his People, and he so bore them as to bear them away, by making full Expiation to divine Justice for them, and purchasing a complete Deliverance from this destroying Evil. And GOD hath Exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince & Savior, to give Repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of Sins, Acts 5.31. He delivers from the Guilt of Sin. There's no Condemnation to them that are in CHRIST JESUS . And from the Dominion of it. Sin shall not have Dominion over you: for ye are not under the Law, but under Grace . In CHRIST there is a Fountain opened to the House of David, and to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, for Sin and Uncleanness. His Blood cleanseth from all Sin, and by his SPIRIT doth he apply the Virtue of it till his People become whiter than Snow . It is true, the Sanctification of GOD's People in this Life is imperfect, 1 Joh. 1.8. If we say that we have no Sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. However this work shall also be perfected in due time; Eph. 5.25 — 27. Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify & cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Again. THE Lord will deliver his People from Satan.

AND this follows upon the former; By taking away Sin, the SON of GOD destroyed the Works of the Devil, who usurped a power over Man by drawing him into a Rebellion against his only Rightful Lord. The Devil is a formidable Enemy to the sinful Children of Men. He is a destroyer, and as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5.8. He is the old Serpent that stung Mankind to Death even in Paradise by prevailing in his Temptation to Sin, and so rendering them obnoxious to the Curse of the Law. But it was early promised that the Seed of the Woman should bruise his head, — Gen. 3.15. which Seed is CHRIST, who was made of a Woman in an extraordinary manner, of the Virgin Mary, the HOLY GHOST coming upon her— And took part of Flesh & Blood, that he might destroy him that had the power of Death, that is the Devil, Heb. 2.14. He now bruiseth Satan under their feet; and will at last shut him up in the bottomless Pit. The Angels which kept not their first Estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day When our Savior was upon Earth he cast them out of many that were possessed; and we read of Devils that cried out saying, What have we to do with thee, JESUS thou SON of GOD? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Mat. 8.29. They now indeed often tempt and vex GOD's People; but they shall not destroy so much as one that puts his Trust in CHRIST: They shall not pluck them out of his Hand. And the great Day of the Lord is coming, when they shall all be cast into that everlasting Fire which is prepared for the Devil and his Angels . And then the People of GOD shall ascend to the heavenly Paradiee, into which this Serpent can never enter to tempt, much less to destroy.

Again, THE Lord will deliver his People from the Men of this World.

THE Psalmist prays, Psal. 17.13, 14 Arise O Lord, —deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy Sword: From men which are thy hand, Lord, from men of the World —. GOD, in his spotless Sovereignty, sometimes makes use of these to chastise his People; but when the Lord hath performed his whole work on mount Zion, He will punish them . Tho' they associate themselves, and combine together against the faithful Servants of GOD they shall be broken in pieces. In a little time the Servants of GOD shall be taken to rest where the wicked cease from troubling, and in the Morning of the Resurrection they shall have Dominion over them: For the Saints shall judge the World, 1 Cor. 6.2. But I shall not enlarge here.

Again, THE Lord will Save his People from Death.

THE Wages of Sin is Death, Rom. 6.23. which in the large sense of the word, comprehends all Evil; but take it in a more restrained sense, for temporal Death, or the separation of the vital Union between Soul & Body, together with the fore-runners of it, as Sickness, bodily Pain, &c. And it is a fearful Evil. The Scripture calls it the last Enemy, 1 Cor. 15.26. So it is to GOD's Children; for the second Death hath no power over them. And the Text but now mentioned assureth us, that even this shall be destroyed. Our Savior JESUS CHRIST hath abolished Death —, 2 Tim. 1.10. He hath taken away the sting & power of it, and will give his People a complete Victory at the Resurrection, when the Bodies of the Saints shall be raised in Incorruption, in Glory, and in Power; yea shall be fashioned like unto his glorious Body, Phil. 3.20, 21.

2. THE Lord will put his People into the full possession of all Good needed to complete their Eternal Happiness.

THE Great GOD our Savior is not only a Shield to defend his People from Evil; but also a Sun to supply them with Good. Psal. 84.11. For the Lord God is a Sun and a shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. GOD in Christ is their shield, and exceeding great reward. The Lord Jehovah is the GOD of his People, which comprehends all God in it, & as such he Blesseth them with all the Blessings of the New & Everlasting Covenant. Here I may say, The Lord Supplies his People with all needed temporal Good. Godliness hath the promise of the Life which now is, 1 Tim. 4.8. He gives them their Daily Bread, that portion of the good things of this Life which is most for GOD's Glory, and their truest Good; and his Blessing with it, which makes even the little a rightous man hath, better than the riches of many wicked, Psal. 37.16.

BUT especially doth the GOD & Father of our Lord JESUS CHRIST bless them with all Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly places in Christ. This Salvation contains in it our Effectual Calling. 2 Tim. 1.9. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling — according to his Grace given us in Christ Jesus. —

— OUR Justification in the sight of Gon. Isa. 45.25. In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified — They are accepted as righteous thro' the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, and received by faith. Our Adoption, or being received to the dignity & privileges of the Children of GOD, John 1.12. But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God —. Spiritual Peace and Joy. Peace with GOD, Rom. 5.3. Peace of Conscience and joy in the HOLY GHOST. By the SPIRIT who is the Comforter, they have sweet Communications of Grace and Peace from GOD the Father, thro' the Son, our Lord JESUS CHRIST—. Our progessive Sanctification. He that hath begun a good Work performs it to the Day of CHRIST.

IN a word, This Salvation contains in it the full and everlasting Possession of Glory and Blessedness in Heaven. Their Salvation is begun here, it is perfected in Heaven. When the SON of GOD shall appear the second time, it will be without Sin to Salvation, Heb. 9.28. Then this great & good Work shall be perfected forever. They shall obtain the Salvation which is in CHRIST JESUS with eternal Glory .

AND thus I have in some imperfect manner considered these Four Heads distinctly as they lie in the Text, though' the Ideas they afford us, be in some particulars much the same.

APPLICATION.

USE I. UPON the Whole; Here we see something of the Divine Majesty, and Excelling Glory of our Lord JESUS CHRIST.

THE words of our Text, as we have heard, may be applied to him, though' not excluding the other Persons, the Father and the Holy Ghost, which Three are One GOD. Certainly then, our Savior appears to be very great, and most worthy to receive Honor and Glory and Blessing. He is the King of Glory, the Lord Strong and Mighty. The Glory of this World is a fading Flower. Death Reigns over Sovereign Princes, and lays their Honor in the Dust. They Die like other Men; yea are often times not suffered to continue so long as others by reason of Death. But now the Son of GOD Liveth and Reigns forever. Indeed in the Execution of his Office he died once; but then in our Nature he rose a Conqueror on the Third Day, having abolished Death, and is set down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Let us then realize the Glory of this Divine Person, who is our Judge and Law-giver, King and Savior, and glorify him as GOD; for this is the Father's design in investing his Son with these great Offices. John 5.22, 23. The Father judgeth no man; but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honor the Son even as they honor the Father.

2. Learn, THE Honor and Happiness of the Church and People of God.

THIS Honor have all the Saints, that Christ is their Lord and Savior, and they are his friends and favorites. The Church is the Bride, the Lamb's wise. Rev. 21.9, 10. And is represented to us as a Woman clothed with the Sun, Rev. 12.1. For she shines in the borrowed rays of her Lord & Husband , who is the Sun of Righteousness. Indeed the Church may now complain she is black, Cant. 1.5. both for her own sinful infirmities, and the persecution of her enemies; but though' she hath lien among the pots, yet shall she be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold, see Psal. 68.13. Zion shall arise, and shine with the Glory of GOD arisen upon her. And at last shall be presented a glorious Church before Him. For Christ's work is perfect. From hence also we may infer the safety and happiness of the Church. Her Redeemer lives, and therefore the gates of Hell shall not prevail against her, Psal. 46.5. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. And how great must her Blessedness be, who is blessed in Christ Jesus, the Almighty Savior. Surely Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, neither have entered into the Heart of Man, the things which GOD hath prepared for them that love him .

3. LET what hath been said Direct and Comfort GOD's People under the great & awful Bereavement which we lament before the Lord this Day.

THE Scriptures of Truth speak of Kings as the Breath of their Subjects nostrils . Their People do in some sense Live & Breath in them. And therefore, when in the Sovereign Providence of GOD, their Breath goeth forth, it becometh their People to humble themselves under GOD's mighty Hand stretched out against them. Upon so great an Occasion as this, they may well take up that Lamentation, Lam. 5.16, 17. The Crown is fallen —. For this our Heart is faint, our Eyes are dim. And it hath been the commendable Practice of GOD's professing People to Lament the Fall of such whom GOD had set at their Head, in the Civil Government. Thus David lamented over Saul and Jonathan, 2 Sam. 1.17. All Judah & Jerusalem mourned for Josiah, 2 Chron. 35.24.

Now then, The Lord of Life calls us to pay our tribute of Tears, and bear our part in the public Sorrows of this mournful Day, in which the Light of our Israel is quenched, in the very sudden and surprizing Death of our late gracious Sovereign KING GEORGE , of glorious Memory. But is this important Life cut off! and that while in the swift and successful pursuit of our Peace, and the Tranquillity of Europe . LORD, We are dumb & open not our Mouths because thou hast done it. Job 9.12. Behold he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, what doest thou? Let us then duly resent this awful Blow of GOD's hand, and relent under it. Let us Weep over this Great Man; for the Beauty of Israel, the Mighty is fallen. GOD hath taken from us a KING Renown'd for Wisdom and Council, Courage and Firmness of Mind, Application to Business and Quick Dispatch; a KING whose Accession to the British Throne was esteemed by Wise Discerners of the times, as Life from the Dead to his Dominions, and the Protestant Interest; a KING whom GOD hath highly honor'd in the great Esteem he had given him at Home and Abroad, in his very Extensive Influence, and the mighty things GOD had done for him and by him. But I presume not to draw his Character; an attempt too great and high for me. My main design is to make a Religious Improvement of this surprising Providence: Hath GOD removed our KING in this Critical Juncture, when Affairs still look with a dubious Aspect, when the Eyes of so many were upon him, and his People might be ready to say, under his shadow we shall live. Let us then Cease from Man whose Breath is in his Nostrils. The Lord now speaks once, yea twice, in his Word and by his Providence, and his Voice to us is that, Psal. 146.3, 4. Put not your trust in Princes, nor in the Son of Man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth: in that very day his thoughts perish. Isa. 2.22. Cease ye from Man, whose breath is in his Nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of. All Nations before GOD are as nothing, and they are counted to him less then nothing and vanity. GOD holds the breath of the most Mighty Princes in his hand, and can stop it in a Moment. And while they Live they can be no more to us than he is pleased to make them. In vain is Salvation hoped for from these Hills — in the Lord our GOD is the Salvation of his People. And therefore while we give them that honor which is their dne. We must look off from them, not trusting in an Arm of Flesh. And on the contrary, We should look to our Glorious Lord, who is King in Zion, and place our trust in him. This is our Support that the Lord Omnipotent reigns. The Great GOD our Savior testifieth, Rev. 1.18. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forever more, Amen; and have the Keys of Hell and of Death. O let us then lift up our Eyes unto him from whom cometh our help, and put our trust under his shadow. For of this King it may truly be said as, Isa. 32.2. A man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest: as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. O Afflicted People of GOD! fly for refuge to lay hold on the Hope set before you in your Savior, who is the Mighty GOD, the Everlasting Father, Isa. 9.6. For Blessed is the Man that hath the GOD of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his GOD .

AND now, Let us Praise the Lord, who hath not left his British-Israel, as Sheep without a Shepherd. Here is light arising to us under our darkness: GOD hath Ordained a Lamp to his Servant, a Son and Successor, and that not a Child; but a Prince in his full Strength for Council and Action. Blessed be GOD, the Protestant Succession in the Illustrious House of HANOVER abides before him. The KING lives in his SON, and we behold our rightful and lawful KING GEORGE the Second, whom GOD long Preserve! peaceably seated on his Throne. amidst the joyful Acclamations of his dutiful People; yea we hear Him declaring from the Throne, That the Religion, Laws & Liberties of the Kingdom are most dear to Him. We also with pleasure behold him Blessed of GOD with a most gracious QUEEN, who is truly a Crown to her Husband, and by whom He is strengthened with a Royal Offspring, Our Hope, GOD grant they may be the Joy of Posterity. The LORD build his Servant a sure House; make his Name better, and his Throne greater, even than his Royal FATHER's Throne. The LORD pour out his SPIRIT upon Him in all Princely Gifts & Graces. The LORD give his Servant an understanding Heart to Judge his People, that he may go out and come in before them, doing Justice and Judgment. The LORD make him truly the Defender of the Faith, a nursing Father to his Church & People. The LORD preserve his Servant from all secret Attempts and open Violence. Cloath his Enemies with shame; but upon himself let his Crown flourish.

AND may his Subjects be of one heart to Fear GOD and honor the KING. In his Days let the Righteous flourish, and abundance of Peace.

AND may the benign Influences of his Government reach his loyal People in these Ends of the Earth, come down upon us like Ram upon the mown Grass: as showers that Water the Earth. May we also sit under His shadow in the continued Enjoyment of our Privileges Civil & Ecclesiastical, who have ever expressed our Joy in the Prosperity of his most serene House. LORD we look unto thee who hast the KING's Heart in thy Hand. Save Lord, and let the King hear us when we call.

MAY the most High choose our Changes in great Mercy, and give such from time to time to Rule over us, as shall be Just, Ruling in the Fear of GOD: that under them we may lead quiet & peaceable Lives in all godliness & honesty. LORD we are Uuworthy; and when we consider our provoking Sins, and heinous Transgressions, we may well tremble for fear of thee, and be afraid of thy Judgments! But look upon the face of thine Anointed, and send now Prosperity, O LORD, for thy Names sake, thy SON's sake: O Shepherd of Israel shine forth, stir up thy strength, and come and Save us. Turn us again, O God of hosts, cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

IN a word, Let Civil Rulers realize their Mortality, and Act under this view that they must shortly be called to give up their Account to GOD the Judge of all. Psal. 82.6, 7. I have said, ye are gods — but ye shall die like Men. Be entreated therefore to glorify that GOD in whose Hand your Breath is, and whose are all your ways. Submit yourselves to CHRIST, and Honor him with all your Talents, that when your Service on Earth shall be finished, you may hear him say to you, Well done good & faithful Servants, enter into the Joy of your Lord. Psal. 2.10, 11, 12. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed ye judges of the earth. Serve ye the Lord wieh fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little: Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

AND let us all be Exhorted to Accept of JESUS CHRIST as offered in the Gospel, and to live in Obedience to his Laws; for HE is the Author of eternal Salvation to them that obey him. Heb. 5.9. Let us sensible of our lost Estate by the Fall, go out unto him; for there is Salvation in no other: There is none other Name under Heaven given among Men whereby we must be saved . Let us then quit our Refuges of Lies, and fly to his Name as to our strong Tower. His Voice to us may be that, Hos. 13.9. O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help. Let us then look unto him, that we may be saved, who is able to save to the uttermost. Then we may rejoice in him under all the Changes of this Life, and say, The Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King he will save us. Yea at the Great Change of Death, we may commit our Spirits into his hands, being persuaded he is able to keep that which we have committed to him against that Day; And when CHRIST who is our Life shall appear, we shall also appear with him in Glory. 1 Tim. 1.17. Now unto the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the the only wise God, be Honor and Glory, forever and ever. AMEN.