The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-11-04
MoDERAroR,s SERMON.

The Rev. j. o. Hammer, d. D., the Mode
rator of the Synod of Virginia last year,
preached the sermon at the opening of the
meeting this year. The following is a sketch
OF the discourse, which, with all It's imperfec-
lions, may still serve to convey TO those not
present an outline of what was said.
Hebrews i s But unto the Son he saith
Thy throne, . God is forever and ever "a
sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy
kingdom
The aim of the Apostle Paul in writing to
the Hebrews was TO establish them in the
faith, and to do this it was all important TO
establish the deity and mesSiahShip of Jesus
Christ. This theme is one suited TO warm our
hearts and inspire our hopes
The two prominent ideas Of the text to be
developed are, the personal glory and univer-
sal control of the Lord Jesus Christ.
l. HIS personal glory The deity of Christ
is established by the name applied to him in
the text, THY throne, o God, " &C. Other
scriptures were cited bearing upon the same
point 1t was shown that every mark and
attribute Of deity is applied to him in the
word of God. Even human reason would go
far to teach that he who would do the work
of redemption that Christ undertook, must be
divine. Even devils were constrained to con
fess the deity of the Saviour. If human rea
son and even devils proclaimed, shall we deny
it? Let not the sutferings of the helpless SIN
ner, looking for deliverance, be Knocked by
pointing him to merely human deliverer, to
whom he cannot commit his soul.
We must connect with this doctrine that of
the humanity of Christ, by reason of which he
became subject to the will of the Father in a
state of humiliation, and endured the suffer
ings of death upon the cross He rose in tri
umph, and being exalted to heaven, he is
adored as the everlasting God.
=. HIS universal CONTROL The medatorial
kingdom OF Christ is based upon his deity
This kingdom is vast and eternal For, as
God, Christ sits upon the throne ruling all
things. And being God, his throne must
stand forever and ever.
Moreover, the covenant of the Father with
the Son makes this kingdom as immovable as
the unchanging purpose Of God.
This kingdom is administered for the good
of his followers. And though there be mys
teries to us In his providence, he rules all
things we'll 1t is conducted with such con
summate wisdom, that all things tend to the
accomplishment of his purposes. Our wishes
may be disappointed, but his wise ends will
be accomplished
Let us then subject our judgment to his, for
though clouds and darkness are round about
him, justice and judgment are the habitation
Of his throne. He loves his people too much
TO lay upon them any unnecessary trials. Let
all murmuriug, then, and discomfort be laid
aside
For the extension of this kingdom the Me.
diator uses means. All things are ministers
of his will But chiefly does he employ the
gospel, which he makes the wisdom Of God for
salvation.
INFERENCES.
|. The safety and triumph Of the Church.
Its enemies will rage in vain for Jehovah
Jesus sits upon the throne The church will
stand and the gospel make progress In spite OF
bonds and prisons, and the rage of men and
fiends
=. The DOOM Of de ,oicked Is certain. Jesus
will overthrow the enemies of his kingdom.
Those mine enemies that would not that |
should reign over them, bring them hither and
slay them before me-" Let ungodly men be.
earnestly warned of their danger and be ex
horted TO make their peace with Christ.
3. The eratted relations and the momeato,ts
responsibilities Of tie ministry Of reconcitiatioa
They go forth in the name of the great King,
aud in his stead beseech men to be reconciled
to God The declarative glory of God hangs
upon their faithfulness
In conclusion the ministers present were ex-
hOrted TO faithfulness In their work.