SERMON XXVIII.

THE DIGNITY AND EXCELLENCE OF THE GOSPEL.

A Sermon preached at the Ordination of the Rev. Nathaniel W. Taylor, in Newhaven, April 8, 1812.

1 PETER I. 12.

"Which things angels desire to look into."

THE things, of which St. Peter speaks in this passage, are explained by him in the context. They are styled, The salvation of the soul; the reward of faith; the things testified by the Spirit of Christ concerning his sufferings, and the glory that should follow them; and the things which had been reported, or announced to the Christians of Lesser Asia, by those who had preached the Gospel to them, with the Holy Ghost, sent down from heaven, i. e. by those whose preaching had been accompanied by the inspiration and miracles of the Holy Ghost; in other words, by Paul and his immediate companions, the preachers who principally carried the news of salvation into that country. To him, who is willing to bestow even the slightest attention upon this various phraseology, it will be evident, that these things can be no other than the sum and substance of the Gospel.

Into these things angels are here said to desire to look. The

cherubim in the tabernacle, whose wings overshadowed the mercy-seat, were formed in a bending posture, with their faces looking down on this divine symbol, as if earnestly desirous to pry into the wonders which it represented. In the text, "angels," it is said, ayysλor, (not or ayyor, the angels,) "desire « to look into these things,” εις & επιθυμούσιν αγγελοι παρακύψαι : "into which things angels earnestly desire to stoop ;" in other words, "into which things angels earnestly desire to pry with "the most attentive investigation."

By angels here, is denoted the whole host of heaven, involving all its orders and dignities; the relish for the object of inquiry being the same to all, and the spirit of investigation the same.

If these exalted beings are thus desirous to search into the Gospel, and the system of religion which it contains, it is because the precepts and doctrines which it unfolds, and the facts which it declares, merit their inquisition. The intellect, and the circumstances of angels are such, as to prevent them from error. Their minds are indeed finite, and their knowledge must therefore have its boundaries. Still they admit nothing but truth; and, so far as their capacity enables them to understand any subject, they see it as it is. They have no bias, no prejudice, no inordinate desires. The love which is enjoined in the Gospel upon men, which is declared to be the fulfilling of the law, and which reigns in their minds with an absolute and undivided dominion, rejoices in the truth, and prompts them to embrace it always and alone wherever it may be found.

At the same time, these exalted beings are possessed also of the most noble and refined taste. Their relish is as regularly conformed to truth as their intellect. Nothing little can engross their attention; nothing debased can give them pleasure. All the objects which they relish are of course important and valuable. When, therefore, we are informed, that the Gospel is an object of their earnest investigation, we are also informed, that it is an object of supreme value and importance.

It is to be remembered, that when the text was written, these celestial beings had been employed in studying the subjects

contained in the Gospel more than four thousand years. From the time when it was first published, in the sentence denounced on the serpent who deceived our first parents, to the day in which his head was bruised by the Redeemer of mankind in the completion of the work which he came to accomplish, they had watched the progress of this divine system of dispensations with the most minute and critical examination. During this long period, also, they had been voluntarily and actively employed, as ministering spirits, in carrying the designs which it involved into execution. In this manner they acquired a knowledge of the Gospel, which was in many respects experimental, and understood it far more perfectly than even they could have done in the exercise of mere speculation. Besides, they had dwelt, during this period at least, in the highest heavens. Heaven, the place both of their birth and their residence, is not only the native region of truth, but also the scene of the most sublime and glorious dispensations in the universe. In that world all the wonders of providence are consummated. In that world the perfections of God are manifested in their supreme beauty, splendour, and greatness. Every thing which it contains is refined; every thing is noble; every thing is for ever improving. But, after all their acquaintance with the glories of heaven, angels earnestly desired to look into the things which are contained in the Gospel.

The wonder, excited by this fact, will be lessened, if we remember, that "God created all things by Jesus Christ, to "the intent, that now unto principalities and powers, in heav"enly places, might be known, dia rys exxλnoias, by means of "the church, mokumoixiños copia 8, the immensely various "wisdom of God." Such apposite and advantageous means of exhibiting the divine wisdom to principalities and powers in heavenly places, were involved in this system of dispensations to the church, that the Most High deemed it a sufficient reason for the creation of all things. With this consideration in view, we cannot think it strange, that the system of the Gospel should command the researches of angels, since God has thus clearly indicated, that they will here find displays of his manifold wisdom, which will enlighten their understanding,

and exalt their views, after all their acquaintance with the dispensations of heaven. Our wonder will probably cease, if we further remember, that the Lord Jesus Christ is the great agent in the system of the Gospel; and that his character, actions, and sufferings, are the principal subjects of its doctrines, precepts, narratives, and institutions. "By him," saith St. Paul, "were all things created that are in heaven, "and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be "thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things "were created by him, and for him." If the Creator of thrones and dominions, of principalities and powers, thought it proper for himself to become the supreme agent in this system, must cease to excite admiration, that those of his creatures, the energy of whose minds is formed of unmingled virtue, should delight to sustain a subordinate agency in its dispensations, and to study the mysteries involved in a work so wonderful and sublime.

To him who assents to the truth of revelation this passage amply proves the dignity and excellency of the Gospel. To prove the truth of a scriptural doctrine is, however, but one, and that often the least necessary, and the least laborious, object of preaching. To illustrate the nature of the doctrine, and the manner in which it is true, and to impress its importance on the minds of those who hear, are always objects of high moment, and often demand the chief attention of the preacher. Where a doctrine is merely proved, it is loosely regarded, and rarely remembered; but when it is clearly illustrated, and forcibly applied, a hope may justly be entertained that the impressions which are made on the minds of an audience will be permanent and useful. With this hope, I will now attempt to illustrate the importance, dignity, and excellence, of the Gospel, by several considerations which, if I mistake not, are suited to such a design. In the mean time, those who hear me will remember, as they cannot fail distinctly to perceive, that to do justice to the subject is beyond the power of a human preacher, and demands at least the abilities possessed by the beings who have thought it deserving of their own most laborious investigation. Even angels could not do it jus

.

tice. In itself, and in its consequences, it will engage their study and admiration for ever; and they will perpetually find their former views of its extent and value inadequate, and, in many ways, imperfect. What then must be the views of a man? St. Paul, when this treasure was committed to him and his inspired companions, informs us, that it was placed in earthen vessels, coarse, frail, and perishable. Succeeding ministers will certainly station themselves below the level of the apostles.

The Gospel, by which I intend, in this discourse, the Scriptures at large, is a history of the mediatorial kingdom of the Deity, of that kingdom which involves all the concerns of the children of Adam. From every other history it is infinitely different in the nobleness of its subject. Kings and heroes, nations and empires, the highest subjects of other histories, have here little significance. Jehovah is the potentate, the Messiah the hero, his children the nation, his actions the events, and his kingdom the empire, which engross the labours of the sacred historians.

The design of this kingdom is the salvation of an endless multitude of immortal beings. In this design are equally included their deliverance from sin and misery, and their exaltation to virtue and happiness, which will know no end.

The theatre, in which this design, and all the events connected with its accomplishment, are completed, is proportionally majestic, and is formed of heaven, earth, and hell, the stage of probation, and the seats of retribution, for the righteous and the wicked.

Proportionally dignified also are the actors in this magnificent plot. Kings and nations are here forgotten. Moral dignity is alone regarded where the design is salvation, and the actors, employed in accomplishing it, are prophets and apostles, the general assembly of the first-born, principalities, and powers, in heavenly places, and the infinitely glorious persons of the Godhead.

The duration of this kingdom is eternal.

The laws by which it is governed are, like the Author of them, holy, just, and good. They are so simple, as to be com