BOOK 4. THE INCARNATION.
CHAPTER 2.
4.2.8. Of Calling on Jesus in that Respect.
Of Calling on Jesus in that Respect.
Let us call on Jesus, or on God the Father in and through Jesus. Now this calling on Jesus contains prayer, and praise.
1. We must pray. That all these transactions of Jesus at his first coming or incarnation may be ours; and is not here encouragement for our prayers? If we observe it, this very point of Christ's incarnation opens a door of rich entrance into the presence of God; we may call it, a blessed portal into heaven, not of iron, or brass, but of our own flesh; this is that "new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh," Heb. x. 20. With what boldness and freeness may we now enter into the holiest, and draw near unto the throne of grace? Why, Christ is incarnate, God is come down in the flesh; though his Deity may confound us (if we should immediately and solely apply ourselves unto it) yet his humanity comforts our faint and feeble souls; God in his humility animates our souls to come unto him, and to seek of him whatsoever is needful for us. Go then to Christ; away, away, O my soul, to Jesus, or to God the Father, in and through Jesus; and O desire that the effect, the fruit, the benefit of his conception, birth, and of the wonderful union of the two natures of Christ may be all thine. What dost thou hope in Jesus, and believe thy part in this incarnation of Christ? Why then, pray in hope, and pray in faith: what is prayer, but the stream and river of faith, an issue of the desire of that which I joyfully believe? "Thou, O Lord God of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house, therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee," 2 Sam. vii. 27.
2. We must praise. This was the special duty practised by all saints and angels at Christ's birth. "My soul doth magnify the Lord (said Mary) and my spirit rejoiceth in God my Saviour, Luke i. 46. And blessed be the Lord God of Israel (saith Zachary) for he hath visited and redeemed his people, verse 68. And glory to God in the highest," said the heavenly host: only an angel had before brought the news, "Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord," Luke ii. 11. But immediately after there were many to sing praises: not only six cherubims, as Isaiah saw; not only four and twenty elders, as John saw, but a multitude of heavenly angels like armies, that by their heavenly hallelujahs gave glory to God. O my soul, do thou endeavour to keep consort with those many angels. "O sing praises, sing praises unto God, sing praises." Never was like case since the first creation: never was the wisdom, truth, justice, mercy and goodness of God so manifested before: I shall never forget that last speech of a dying saint upon the stage, "Blessed be God for Jesus Christ." O my soul, living and dying let this be thought on. What, Christ incarnate! and incarnate for me! Why, "bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name."