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The text opened-Proofs of the Eternal Deity of Christ alledged from scripture-Reasons of his Incarnation—In what respects the devil is said to have the power of death. The death of Christ frees his people from the tormenting fear of Death -Entrance of death into the world.

AND DELIVER THEM WHO THROUGH FEAR OF DEATH WERE ALL THEIR LIFE-TIME SUBJECT TO BONDAGE. HEB. ii. 15.

IN the first chapter of this epistle, the proofs of the

eternal Deity of Christ are produced with that evidence, which only a veiled heart or obstinate infidelity can resist. The medium which the inspired penman uses is, the comparing him with the angels, the most noble flower of the creation, and showing that he is infinitely dignified above them. This he does by a strong connection of arguments:

First, by a title

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Deity of Christ.

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He is

that is divinely high and peculiar to himself. declared by the testimony of the eternal Father to be 'his Son,' ver. 4, 5, in the most proper and sublime sense; begotten of him,' and therefore having the same essential perfections of the Godhead in their uncreated glory. But the angels are not dignified with this name in any places of scripture, where the excellency of the angels is in the fullest terms expressed. And that this name is taken from his nature, is clearly proved; because adoration is due to him on this account, even from the angels of the highest order. When he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.' Ver. 6.

Divine worship is a prerogative inseparably annexed to the Deity, both on account of the supreme excellencies of the nature of God, and his relation to angels and men as creator and preserver, the fountain of their being and happiness. This, without the most open defiance of his authority, cannot be given to a mere creature; and by the command of God himself is to be performed as a respect due to the filial Godhead. Deut. vi. 13. x. 20. The argument proceeds Of the angels he saith,

from the name to the offices. Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.' Ver. 7. They are the prime instruments of his providence, most zealous and active to accomplish his pleasure. But the Son is God, not by analogy and deputation as princes are, nor with a limitation and diminution, as Moses was made a

CHAP. 1]

Deity of Christ.

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God to Pharaoh, but absolutely and really, as subsisting in the divine nature, And consequently he is the Supreme King, and to him the ensigns of majesty divinely royal are ascribed: But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, oh God, is for ever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.' Ver. 8. Whereas the sceptres of earthly kings, are often unrighteously managed, and their thrones ruinously fall. There is a further confirmation from his works, that are divinely great and glorious, wherein no creature has any share of efficiency. The making of the world is ascribed to him. 'Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of thy hands.' Ver. 10.

The divine attributes, the peculiar character of the Deity, belong to him: eternity and immutability. The most solid parts of the visible creation shall perish and be changed; but thou remainest, and art the same.' His life is an entire, uniform, unchangeable perfection. His glory and felicity are in the same invariable tenor for ever possessed by him. Lastly, the Son sits in that quality at the right hand of the Father,' ver. 13, in the society of empire, as equal to him in power and honour, commanding all in the visible and invisible world; most easily and irresistibly, though gradually, subduing his enemies to a consummate victory. But the angels, so numerous and powerful, are ministering spirits,' ver. 14, employed for the defence and benefit of the church.

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Deity of Christ.

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From this summary account we may understand how firmly the Divinity of Christ is established in the scripture. For those passages of the prophets that speak of the God of Israel as Creator, and the sole object of adoration, are directly referred to Jesus Christ. And the name Jehovah, Psal. xcvii. 9, the majesty of which consists in its being incommunicable, is attributed to him. This is the foundation upon which the whole fabric of the gospel is built. The office of mediator in the prophetical, priestly, and regal administration, is necessarily joined with the divinity of his person; and the revelation of it from heaven is as clear as the sun is visible in the firmament. All the difficulties in our conceiving this great mystery of godliness, are but like the shadows that attend the light; and all the heretical subtilties to pervert the sense of such plain and positive texts, are as impertinent as they are impious.

This being established, the apostle proceeds to give an account of the Son of God's assuming the human nature, and submitting to sufferings and death. This is a divine secret so miraculously strange, that the contrivance was beyond the compass of angelic minds and the discovery of it is only by supernatural revelation; but when revealed, the account of it is so open and agreeable to reason, as being the most congruous means for the illustration of God's glory in the saving lost men, that the human mind, if not deeply corrupted with prejudice, must consent to it as worthy of all acceptation.'

CHAP. I.]

Deity of Chist.

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The substance of his reasoning is this; That it was the product of the most wise, merciful, and righteous counsel of God, that the Saviour of men should have communion with them in their nature, that he might have a night to redeem them by his alliance and oneness with them; for he that sanctifies, and they that are sanctified, are all one,' chap. ii. 11; and also that he might undergo sufferings, even to death, for the price of their redemption, and the remedy of their infirmities. The children being partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil: and deliver them who through fear of death, were all their lives subject to bondage.

The Devil is said to have the Power of Death.— (1) Because he induces men to commit sin, which renders them liable to death. He tempted the first man, and was a murderer fom the beginning.'(2) In that he inspires them with furious thoughts, and inflames their passions, from whence proceed strifes and wars, that efficiently cause death. He is supreme in all the arts of mischief, and always intent upon evil. It is by his instigation that men become like raging beasts, animated and bent on mutual slaughter.—(3) Because he is many times the executioner of God's wrath, and inflicts death upon rebellious and incorrigible sinners. It is recorded by the Psalmist, that God cast upon the Egyptians the fierceness of his anger, wrath, indignation, and

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