there is but one Mediator between God and Matt: And this Mediator is of infinite Dignity, every Way fufficient to answer all the Exigencies of our Cafe, able to fave to the uttermost all them that come unto God by him. The stated Order of the Gofpel-Worship is this, that, through Christ, the great appointed Mediator, we have Access by one Spirit unto the Father. In loving, obeying, and honouring the Mediator, we love, obey, and honour the Father which fent him, and whofe fovereign Wifdom, Grace, and Love are reprefented as the glorious Source of the whole Defign. Far therefore from drawing off our Regards from God our heavenly Father, or intercepting that Love, Truft, Adoration, and Obedience that is moft justly due to him, (which is an Objection that hath been often urged against the Gofpel-Scheme of the Mediator) it rather heighteneth our Obligations to him, our Confidence in his Grace, and our Admiration of his Goodness, in that he fo loved the World as to fend his Son to fave and to redeem us. As in the Mediatorial Scheme all is admirably contrived for our Benefit and Comfort; fo all is ultimately referred to the Glory of God the Father, whofe incomparable Perfections, his Wif dom, his Righteouinefs, and Holinefs, and

efpecially

efpecially his incomprehenfible Grace and Love, here fhine forth with a most attractive Harmony and Beauty. What an admirable Method is this of dealing with finful Creatures! How becoming the Glory of his infinite Majesty!

It is proper to obferve, on this Occafion, that the Methods of our Salvation through Jefus Chrift are Things which the Angels defire to look into; as St. Peter affureth us, I Pet. i. 12. St. Paul, having faid, that great is the Mystery of Godliness, God was manifeft in the Flesh, adds, that he was feen of Angels. Tim. iii. 16. The Redeemer's Birth was celebrated with Hymns of Joy by a whole Multitude of the beavenly Hoft. This exhibited a wonder ful Spectacle to thofe bleffed Spirits, which could not but engage their Attention. With what Aftonishment did they behold the Son of God dwelling in human Flesh, doing and fuffering fo much on Earth for the Salvation of finful Men, offering himfelf to be the Propitiation for the Sins of the World, and afterwards afcending with his rifen Body into Heaven, and there appearing for us, as our great High Priest, in the heavenly Sanctuary, and exercifing an univerfal Sovereignty for carrying on the gracious Purposes of his Mediatorial KingL 2 dom!

dom. The Apostle intimates, that not unto the Principalities and Powers in heavenly Places is made known, by or in the Church, the manifold Wifdom of God, viz. as fhining forth in the admirable Work of our Redemption. Eph. iii. 10. This is a Theme fit to employ feraphic Minds. The Glory of it is not confined to the narrow Bounds of our Earth, but fpreads through those boundless Realms of Light and Bliss. And fhould not we take a Pleafure in exercifing our Thoughts on that glorious Subject, which filleth the holy Angels with Wonder and Delight, and in which we are more nearly concerned than they!

How much therefore are thofe in the Wrong, who reprefent the Gospel as a mean and gloomy Scheme! It speaketh Terror indeed to the obftinately Impenitent and Difobedient, who prefumptuously perfit in their vicious Courfes; and, if it fpake Peace to fuch Perfons, it would be a ftrong Proof of it's Falfhood and evil Tendency. But to penitent Sinners, who are heartily willing to forfake their evil Ways, and apply themselves in good Earnest to the Practice of Righteoufneís and true Holiness, it gives the higheft poffible Comfort and Encouragement. It furnifheth the fongeft Affurance of God's Readiness

to

to pardon all their Tranfgreffions, and to receive them into his Grace and Favour. It sets their Duty before them in the most amiable and engaging Light, and promiseth them the gracious Aids of the Holy Spirit to affift their Endeavours in the Performance of it, and that God will give eternal Life as the Reward of their fincere though imperfect Obedience. In a Word, to good and upright Souls it opens all the Springs of Confolation and Joy; it difplays all the Charms of infinite Love, and presents the most glorious and transporting Subjects to our Thoughts which can enter into the human Mind.

It may therefore be justly faid, that Nothing can poffibly reprefent God under a more amiable Idea than the Gospel of Jefus, or be better fitted to engage us to delight ourfelves in him. With what Thankfulness and Joy fhould we then entertain the happy Discoveries! and pursue our Meditations till, with Hearts full of grateful Devotion, we join in that celestial Hymn of Praife, Blefjing, and Honour, and Glory, and Power, be unto him that fitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and

ever!