SERMON XL. CHRIST A GLORIOUS RESTING-PLACE. ISAIAH XI. 10. His rest shall be glorious. If any one should put the same question to me as the Eunuch did to Philip-" Of whom speaketh the prophet this, of himself, or of some other man?" I would take the same method that the evangelist did—begin at this Scripture and preach unto him Jesus, looking upon this, not only as suitable to my character, and best calculated for his advantage, but perfectly agreeing with the direct sense and meaning of the passage before us; the whole verse being a remarkable prophecy of the Messiah. "In that day," says the inspired writer, that is, the day of Christ's appearance upon earth, after a night of thick darkness, "there shall be a root of Jesse;" the offspring of David, and yet the root of Jesse, the father of David. He is that root of all the righteous from which they derive vitality and fruitfulness, and which shall not be moved. It shall stand "for an ensign of the people," held forth to open view, inspiring his saints with fortitude and courage, and filling his enemies with terror and dismay. To it, that is to this ensign, shall the Gentiles seek; they shall in great numbers enlist under the banners of Christ, seek to him for direction, and trust in him for defence; and I hope that many here present are living proofs of the truth of what is here asserted. It is then added, and "his rest shall be glorious." By the rest here spoken of we may understand either, 1. The place of Christ's rest, which is the gospel church. "Arise, O Lord, into thy rest."-" This is my rest for ever; here will I dwell, for I have desired it." The words "for ever," show, that however there may be an immediate respect to Mount Zion, and the temple built there, yet the ultimate reference is to the church where Christ manifests himself, and from whence he will not utterly depart, notwithstanding all the neglect and provocation he receives. This being a rest to Christ, becomes so to all true believers ; and it is glorious, for "glorious things are spoken concerning Zion, the city of the living God." "For 2. That rest which Christ now enjoys in heaven. the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God." As God, having finished the work of creation, so Christ having finished the work of redemption, entered into his rest; which is both a pattern and earnest of believers entering into theirs. Now, this is a glorious rest, for it implies the restoration of that glory which he had with the Father before the world was. His person, situation, and employment, are all glorious. From him all the inhabitants of the upper world derive, and to him they ascribe, their glory. 3. We are principally to understand it (and accordingly in that view I shall proceed to explain it) of that rest which Christ's affords: according to his own words, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest;" and, "There remaineth a rest for the people of God." This rest is begun upon earth, and consummated in heaven. Here it is imperfect, there it is complete. It is a rest from Christ, consisting in a freedom from the guilt and power of sin, and an assurance of the favour of God; and it is a rest in Christ, implying delight and satisfaction both in him and ourselves. The understanding. finds rest in the knowledge of Christ, the affections in love to Christ, the SERMON XL. CHRIST A GLORIOUS RESTING-PLACE. ISAIAH XI. 10. His rest shall be glorious. Ir any one should put the same question to me as the Eunuch did to Philip-" Of whom speaketh the prophet this, of himself, or of some other man?" I would take the same method that the evangelist did-begin at this Scripture and preach unto him Jesus, looking upon this, not only as suitable to my character, and best calculated for his advantage, but perfectly agreeing with the direct sense and meaning of the passage before us; the whole verse being a remarkable prophecy of the Messiah. "In that day," says the inspired writer, that is, the day of Christ's appearance upon earth, after a night of thick darkness, "there shall be a root of Jesse;" the offspring of David, and yet the root of Jesse, the father of David. He is that root of all the righteous from which they derive vitality and fruitfulness, and which shall not be moved. It shall stand "for an ensign of the people," held forth to open view, inspiring his saints with fortitude and courage, and filling his enemies with terror and dismay. To it, that is to this ensign, shall the Gentiles seek; they shall in great numbers enlist under the banners of Christ, seek to him for direction, and trust in him for defence; and I hope that many here present are living proofs of the truth of what is here asserted. then added, and "his rest shall be glorious." By the rest here spoken of we may understand either, 1. The place of Christ's rest, which is the gospel church. "Arise, O Lord, into thy rest."-" This is my rest for ever; here will I dwell, for I have desired it." The words "for ever," show, that however there may be an immediate respect to Mount Zion, and the temple built there, yet the ultimate reference is to the church where Christ manifests himself, and from whence he will not utterly depart, notwithstanding all the neglect and provocation he receives. This being a rest to Christ, becomes so to all true believers; and it is glorious, for "glorious things are spoken concerning Zion, the city of the living God." "For 2. That rest which Christ now enjoys in heaven. the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God." As God, having finished the work of creation, so Christ having finished the work of redemption, entered into his rest; which is both a pattern and earnest of believers entering into theirs. Now, this is a glorious rest, for it implies the restoration of that glory which he had with the Father before the world was. His person, situation, and employment, are all glorious. From him all the inhabitants of the upper world derive, and to him they ascribe, their glory. 3. We are principally to understand it (and accordingly in that view I shall proceed to explain it) of that rest which Christ's affords: according to his own words, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest;" and, "There remaineth a rest for the people of God." This rest is begun upon earth, and consummated in heaven. Here it is imperfect, there it is complete. It is a rest from Christ, consisting in a freedom from the guilt and power of sin, and an assurance of the favour of God; and it is a rest in Christ, implying delight and satisfaction both in him and ourselves. The understanding. finds rest in the knowledge of Christ, the affections in love to Christ, the |