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It will not be denied by those to whom our blessed Saviour's life is familiar; to whom the many prophecies relating to him in the Old Testament are well known: that to Jesus Christ alone these passages relate.

He, having fulfilled all things therein predicted of him, has re-ascended to the right hand of God; there to reign for ever, "King of Kings, and Lord of Lords;" in Trinity, and Unity, of the Godhead.

Thus have we proved the superintending providence of Him, to whom the Psalmist exclaimed; "O Lord God of Hosts, who is like unto thee: thy truth, most mighty Lord, is on every side. Thou rulest the raging of the sea thou stillest the waves thereof, when they arise!"

7

SERMON V.

THE COMING OF CHRIST.

PSALM LXXXIX. 26, 27, 28.

I WILL SET HIS DOMINION ALSO IN THE SEA, AND HIS RIGHT HAND IN THE FLOODS. HE SHALL CALL ME, THOU ART MY FATHER: MY GOD, AND MY STRONG SALVATION. AND I WILL MAKE HIM, MY FIRST-BORN, HIGHER THAN THE KINGS OF THE EARTH.

RESUMING the consideration of this sublime Psalm of the Inspired, and Royal Prophet David, we find that the coming of the Messiah is more plainly expressed in our text. And if the first part was so well deserving our attention; surely so interesting a subject as the everlasting Kingdom of our great Redeemer must awaken our serious, most earnest enquiry.

Of the mortal King of Israel these words could not have been written ; neither was his dominion so extended, nor was he higher than other kings of the Earth, his neighbouring potentates. Nor was he God's first-born, in any sense; for Abraham is throughout Scripture called the Father of the faithful: Moses was the lawgiver, whose laws David himself obeyed; and Saul was the first king of Israel.

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But we are told of a Messiah King, whose 'kingdom shall have no end;" who is 'King of Kings, and Lord of Lords," in glory everlasting. He, therefore, is that "first-born" of whom the Almighty Father, inspiring David by the Holy Ghost, here speaks. And in the records of Holy Writ we find that "the Son of the Highest" was "conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary."

Now another Prophet of Israel, the Evangelical Isaiah; that noble herald of good tidings had astonished the Jews by a very remarkable prediction. A prophecy, contrary to the ordinary course of nature; and as such awakening their curiosity; as well as likely to produce the greatest scrutiny,

whenever such a fact was declared to be accomplished. Three hundred years passed away between David's time, and the life of Isaiah. Seven hundred more years elapsed; and the City of Rome, gradually enlarging her power, having been built in Isaiah's time; at last over-ruled the whole of the then known World.

Julius Cæsar, who subdued our own Island; had erected a supreme power in the Roman State; which his untimely death transferred to his nephew Augustus, the first Roman Emperor. In the reign of Cæsar Augustus, as St. Luke informs us in his Gospel; a Virgin, named Mary, actually conceived, and bore a Son: as the Angel Gabriel foretold to her. "Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a Son, and shalt call his Name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his Father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever: and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

Here, then, we find God's "first-born;"

for no other actual Son of the Highest is on

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record in Holy Writ, than Christ Jesus. Angels proclaimed his Nativity to the Jewish shepherds of Bethlehem; and told them how, and where, the new-born Saviour should be found. "Unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying; glory to God in the highest; and on Earth peace, good will towards men."

Such were the wonders accompanying the immaculate conception of our blessed Redeemer by the Virgin Mary; a descendant from David himself; and coming to her own City to be taxed with the other natives of Bethlehem, the City of David.

Such was the birth of "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews;" whom they crucified, whom we adore.

He was that Jesus, of whom his Almighty Father declared, "this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And again the Highest bore testimony to our blessed Master, and only Saviour, Jesus Christ; when he said; "this is my beloved Son; hear him."

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