Page images
PDF
EPUB

THE GOVERNMENT UPON CHRIST'S SHOULDER.

A SERMON

PREACHED ON SABBATH-EVENING AFTER THE SACRAMENT AT STIRLING, JUNE 4. 1732.

ISA. ix. 6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a fon is given, and the government fhall be upon his fhoulder: and his name fhall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of peace.

T

HE great defign of God, in his whole works of creation

and providence, is to manifest and make known the glory of his power, wifdom, goodnefs, and greatnefs to the children of men: hence is that of David, Pfal. xix. from the begining, "The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament fheweth his handy-work. Day unto day uttereth fpeech, and night unto night fheweth knowledge." And if it be asked, What the great defign of God is in the fcriptures? I answer, It is juft to bring a loft world to the knowledge of a Saviour, "who is the brightness of the Father's glory, and the exprefs image of his perfon." All the prophecies, promifes, hiftories, and doctrines of the word, do point us to him, as the needle in the mariners compass points to the pole-ftar: "To him bore all the prophets witnefs." And when apoftles under the New Teftament were fent unto all nations, with the filver trumpet of the everlasting gospel in their mouths, what was the great theme of their fermons? It was just to make Chrift known among the nations; he was the Alpha and Omega of their whole miniftry; it is Chrift, fays Paul to the Coloflians, "whom we preach;" and, writing to the Corinthians, he declares, that he defired to know nothing among them, but Christ, and him crucified." In fhort, Sirs, our preaching, and your hearing, is in vain, unless we bring you in to the know

ledge

THE

WHOLE WORKS

OF THE LATE

REV. MR. EBENEZER ERSKINE,

MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT STIRLING;

CONSISTING OF

SERMONS AND DISCOURSES,

ON THE MOST IMPORTANT AFT

INTERESTING SUBJECTS.

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

EDINBURGH:

PRINTED BY D. SCHAW AND CO. LAWN-MARKET,
FOR ALEX. M'LERAN, BOOKseller,

HORSE-WYND.

S&

« PreviousContinue »