2. The scripture attributes to Jesus Christ that supreme communication, that supreme goodness, that intimate relation to our happiness, which is the second ground of adoration, and which is the foundation of that second homage, which is required of a worshipper, that is, the homage of the heart. Hence it is, that the holy scriptures direct us to consider him, as the author of all the blessings, which we possess. If the heavens rolling above our heads serve us for a pavilion, if the earth be firm beneath our feet to serve us for a support, it is he who is the author of both; for thou, Lord, thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands, Psal. cii. 26. If numberless creatures near and remote contribute to the happiness of man, it is he who has formed them; for "without him nothing was made that was made. By him were all things created that are, in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, principalities or powers, all things were created by him and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist," John i. 3. Col. i. 16, 17. If the Jews received miraculous deliverances in Egypt, if they gained immortal victories over the nations, which they defeated, it was he who procured them, for "the angel of his presence he saved them, in his love and in his pity he redeemed them, and he bare them and carried them all the days of old," Isa. lxiii. 9. If darkness has been dissipated from the face of the church, it was he who made it vanish; for "he is the true light, who lighteth every man that cometh into the world," John i

9. If we are reconciled to God, it was he who made our peace; for "we have redemption through his blood, Eph. i. 7. it pleased the Father by him to reconcile all things unto himself, and by the blood of his cross to unite things in heaven, and things on earth," Col. i. 19, 20. If we have received the Comforter, it was he who sent him; for, says he, "I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will send him unto you," John xvi. 7. If, after this life, our souls be carried into the bosom of God, it will be by his adorable hands; Lord Jesus, said one of his exemplary servants, receive my spirit, Acts vii. 59. If our bodies rise from their graves, if they be recalled to life, after they have been reduced to ashes, he alone will re-animate them; for "he is the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in him, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall never die," John xi. 25, 26.

3. Finally, the scripture attributes to Jesus Christ the third ground of adoration, that is, empire over all creatures. This lays a foundation for the third homage of the worshipper, I mean devotedness of life. "I saw in the night visions, said the prophet Daniel, and behold! one, like the Son of man, came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom

that which shall not be destroyed," ch. vii. 13. &c. "The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee, ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession; Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel," Psal. ii. 7-9. "Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty! with thy glory and with thy majesty. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies, the people fall under thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre," Ps. xlv. 3, 5, 6. "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion, rule thou in the midst of thine enemies," Psal. cx. 1, 2. The question of right then is sufficiently proved.

The question of fact immediately follows. As Je sus Christ is supremely adorable, so he is supremely adored by intelligences, whom we ought to imitate. This adoration is recommended by scripture; the very scripture that forbids us to adore any but God, prescribes the adoration of Jesus Christ. "Let all the angels of God worship him, Heb. i. 6. The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judg ment to the Son, that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father, John v. 22, 23. He hath received a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, Phil. ii. 9, 10. The four and twenty elders fell down, and worshipped him who liveth for ever and ever." All the par

ticular acts of adoration, which are reputed acts of idolatry when rendered to any but God, are rendered to Jesus Christ by the express direction of the holy scriptures. Prayer, that prayer, of which it is said, how shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? Rom. x. 14. prayer is addressed to Jesus Christ; they stoned Stephen praying and saying, Lord Jesus receive my spirit, Acts vii. 59. (1) Confidence, that confidence, of which it is said, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, Jer. xvii. 5. that confidence is an homage rendered to Jesus Christ; Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed, Rom. x. 11. Baptism, that baptisin, which is commanded to be adininistered in the name of the Father, that baptism is an homage rendered to Jesus Christ, it is administered in his name; Go teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, Matt. xxviii. 19. Swearing, that swearing, of which it is said, Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name, Deut. vi. 13. that swearing is an homage rendered to Jesus Christ; "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost," Rom. ix. 1. Benediction, that blessing, of which it is said, The Lord bless thee and keep thee, Num. vi. 24. that benediction is an homage rendered to Jesus Christ. "Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ," Rom. i. 7. In fine, supreme praise, that praise of which it is said, To the only wise God be honour and

(1) Ils lapidoient Etienne, priant, et disant, Seigneur Jesus, &c. perfectly agreeable to St. Luke's EПIKAAOYMENON xat AYOVT. The word God in our text is inserted properly.

glory, 1 Tim. 1. 17. is an homage paid to Jesus Christ. "And I beheld, says our text, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures, and the elders, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom and strength, to the Lamb be honour and glory and blessing for ever." Weigh that expression which God uses to give the greater weight to his command of worshipping him only; before my face, (2) Thou shalt have no other Gods before my face, Exod. xx. 3. God would have this always inculcated among his ancient people, that he was among them in a peculiar manner, that he was their head and general, that he marched in the front of their camp and conducted all their host: he meant by this declaration, to retain them in his service, and to make them comprehend how provoking it would be to him, should they render divine honours in his presence to any beside himself. But here the elders, the angels, the ten thousand, the ten thousand times ten thousands in heaven, in the presence of God, and before the throne of his glory, adore Jesus Christ, and pay no other honours to him, who sitteth on the throne than they pay to Jesus Christ himself.

Collect now, my brethren, all these reflections into one point of view, and see into what contradictions people fall, who, admitting the divinity of our scriptures, refuse to consider Jesus Christ as the supreme God. No, Jesus Christ is not the supreme God, (thus are our opponents obliged to speak,) Jesus (2) Mr. S. quotes according to the Hebrew text of Exod. xx. 3.