MASON

1770—­1829

MESSIAH’S THRONE

Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.—­Heb. i., 18.

In the all-important argument which occupies this epistle, Paul assumes, what the believing Hebrews had already profest, that Jesus of Nazareth is the true Messiah.  To prepare them for the consequences of their own principle—­a principle involving nothing less than the abolition of their law, the subversion of their state, the ruin of their city, the final extinction of their carnal hopes—­he leads them to the doctrine of their Redeemer’s person, in order to explain the nature of his offices, to evince the value of his spiritual salvation, and to show, in both, the accomplishment of their economy which was now “ready to vanish away.”  Under no apprehension of betraying the unwary into idolatrous homage by giving to the Lord Jesus greater glory than is due unto His name, the apostle sets out with ascribing to Him excellence and attributes which belong to no creature.  Creatures of most elevated rank are introduced; but it is to display, by contrast, the preeminence of Him who is “the brightness of the Father’s glory and the express image of his person.”  Angels are great in might and in dignity; but “unto them hath he not put in subjection the world to come.  Unto which of them said he, at any time, Thou art my son?” To which of them, “Sit thou at my right hand.”  He saith they are spirits, “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.  But unto the Son,” in a style which annihilates competition and comparison—­“unto the Son, he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.”

Brethren, if the majesty of Jesus is the subject which the Holy Ghost selected for the encouragement and consolation of His people, when He was shaking the earth and the heavens, and diffusing His gospel among the nations, can it be otherwise than suitable and precious to us on this occasion?  Shall it not expand our views, and warm our hearts, and nerve our arm in our efforts to exalt His fame?  Let me implore, then, the aid of your prayers, but far more importunately the aids of His own Spirit, while I speak of the things which concern the King:  those great things contained in the text—­His personal glory—­His sovereign rule.

His personal glory shines forth in the name by which He is revealed; a name above every name:  “Thy throne, O God.” ...

Messiah’s throne is not one of those airy fabrics which are reared by vanity and overthrown by time:  it is fixt of old; it is staple, and can not be shaken, for it is the throne of God.  He who sitteth on it is the Omnipotent.  Universal being is in His hand.  Revolution, force, fear, as applied to His kingdom, are words without meaning.  Rise up in rebellion, if thou hast courage.  Associate with thee the whole mass of infernal power.  Begin with the ruin of whatever is fair and good in this little globe.  Pass hence to pluck the sun out of his place, and roll the volume of desolation through the starry world.  What hast thou done unto Him?  It is the puny menace of a worm against Him whose frown is perdition.  “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh.”