'child and set set him by him." The thoughts of their hearts were all open to his view.

John 11. "Now when he was in Jerusalem at 'the passover, in the feast day, many believed 'in his name, when they saw the miracles which 'he did. But Jesus did not commit himself 'unto them, because he knew all men; and ''needed not that any should testify of man : 'for he knew what was in man.” He knew that Judas intended to betray him. And, perceiving the purpose of his heart, he says to him, "That thou doest, do quickly." He knew that Peter would deny him. And he knew, at the same time, that he would not do it from previous purpose and malice of heart, but from negligence in duty, and under the influence of sudden and strong temptation. He therefore tells him, "I have prayed for thee."

We mention but one more divine attribute that the scriptures ascribe to the Lord Jesus. That is,

6. Omnipresence. Matth. xvIII. 20. "For 'where two or three are gathered together in 'my name, there am I in the midst of them.” His people have gathered together for worship, in his name, in thousands of places, in every period since he gave this promise; and will continue to do the same to the end of the world. Every returning sabbath witnesses a multitude of worshipping assemblies, covened in the name of Christ, all of whom have this promise of his presence.

Mat. xxvi. 19, 20. "Go ye therefore, and 'teach all nations, baptizing them in the name 'of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy "Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things, "whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, 'I am with you alway, even unto the end of the 'world." His gospel is always to be taught, and by a great multitude of ministers; but, if they are found faithful, he will be with them all, at all times, to the end of the world. This was his last promise to his people, and was immediately confirmed by his solemn ascension into heaven.

It is said by the apostle John, "If any man 'sin, we have an advocate with the Father, 'Jesus Christ the righteous." He is always acquainted with the errors and failings of his people, and is ever presenting, for those that fear him, his prevalent intercession before his Father. After Christ had risen from the dead, he appeared and disappeared, according to his pleasure; he appeareed suddenly among his disciples while the doors were shut.

We thus see that the essential attributes of God, such as belong to him only, are abundantly ascribed, in the holy scriptures, to Christ. Those which we have particularly noticed, are Eternity, Self-existence, Immutability, Omnipotence, Omniscience and Omnipresence. These, if the testimony of divine truth is to be the rule of our faith, must determine

the Lord Jesus to be truly God. We want no greater, no more exalted Saviour, than one possessing such a character. The heavens and the earth are his. He justly says of himself, "I am the Lord, and there is none else, 'there is no god besides me."

SERMON IV.

JOHN I. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

In the beginning was the Word, &c.

We now proceed to observe,

III. The divinity of Christ is proved from the works or actions, which the scriptures uniformly ascribe to him. The sacred writers, both prophets and apostles, constantly ascribe to him the works of God.

The first that we shall notice is creation. This idea has been,occasionally,referred to, already. But it may deserve, in this place, a more particular consideration. On this truth, nothing can be more express than the words of the text. "All things were made by him; and without him 'was not any thing made that was made." Here it is most evident that the Evangelist meant to be understood. Of the works of Christ, which he is about to describe, this is the first that he mentions. After noticing his self-existence and eternity, as being in the beginning with God, he immediately adds, "All things were made by 'him." The declaration, it is true, is very simple, but I know not how it could be any more intelligible or strong. But the Holy Spirit well knew how much the character of the Son would be called in question, and, therefore,

immediately adds, by the evangelist, "And 'without him was not any thing made that was 'made." While he asserts that all things were made by him, he expressly excludes every other being from a participation in the work. Nothing was made but by him.

Some have held that Christ is a created being, the first created, and the greatest of all creatures ; and that the world was made by him, by virtue of a delegated power, derived from God. But, according to the divine testimony now before us, the saviour acts no subordinate or delegated part, he is said to have made all things, and not only is there no intimation of any assistance, but the co-operation of any other being is expressly excluded. This sentiment also involves the absurdity that he who is expressly declared to have made all things that are made, is himself a created being. I think every unprejudiced reader of the scriptures will say that it is here declared that Christ made all things, as plainly, as it is in the beginning of Genesis, that they were all made by God.

Many other passages of scripture ascribe the work of creation, expressly, to Christ. Col. 1. "In whom we have redemption through his 'blood, even the forgiveness of sins;-For by 'him were all things created that are in heaven, 'and that are in earth visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principali'tie or powers, all things were created by him