Seven sermons on several select subjects preached by Mr. Tho. Watson ...

SERMON IV.

Psalm 2.12.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

HOly David, in the beginning of this Psalm, shews us how all the powers and gallantry of the world do rage and confederate against the Lord and his anointed, that is, Christ, verse 2. Rulers take counsel against the Lord and his Anointed. That power which he did put into their hands, they do imploy against him; but their attempt is in vain. In the first verse;

The people imagine a vain thing; as if the holy Psalmist had said, The Lord will have a Church in spite of Earth and Hell, Matth. 16.18. The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it; that is, neither the Power of Hell, nor the Policy of Hell shall prevail against his Church: Neither the Serpents sub∣tilty, nor yet the Dragons fierceness shall prevail against it. We read that the Ship in the Gospel was tossed on the Waves; but was not overwhelm∣ed: The Ship was tossed, because sin was in it; but not overwhelmed, be∣cause Christ was in it. Christ is in the Ship of his Church; and the more opposition is made against the Church of God, the more it encreases: It grows by opposition, Exod. 1.12. The more they were afflicted, the more they multiplied, (saith Chrysostom.) It is just like the Torch, the more 'tis beaten, the more it flames. Religion is that Phoenix, that is always flourishing in the Ashes of Martyrs: Therefore let the great ones conspire and take coun∣sel

against the Lord and his Christ, they do imagine a vain thing.

In the 4th verse we read, that when the wicked sit plotting, God he smiles at them: He that sits in the Heavens shall laugh at them. God laughs to see mens folly, to see poor weak Clay go to take head, and to strive with the Potter. But let the wicked remem∣ber, that God is never more angry with them, than when he laughs. He will speak to 'em in a fair Language, as you may read in verse 5. After his laughing, then he shall speak to them in his wrath: And what doth he say? verse 6. Yet have I set my King upon my holy Hill of Zion. In spite of all the powers of darkness, Jesus Christ shall have a Throne to sit upon among his People: And the Crown shall flourish upon his head. I have set my King; that is, I have anointed Christ to be King, and poured on him the Oint∣ment of grace and gladness. I will have my Son to reign, and such as will not bow to his golden Scepter▪

shall be broken with his Iron Rod, verse 9.

Then after this the Psalmist makes the Inference. Before he had been making the Doctrine to Kings and great ones of the world, and now he makes the Use, in verse 10. Be wise now therefore, O ye Kings! Be instructed, ye Iudges of the Earth: Serve the Lord with fear: As if he had said; Come at last to your wits; don't stand out any longer in contest with God and his Son Jesus Christ; but rather bow to him; throw your Crowns at his feet; make your peace with him: Serve the Lord with fear; so the Text ushers in: And it is a part of the good counsel the Holy Ghost gives; Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye pe∣rish from the way.

Kissing of the Son, it denotes two things.

First, Adoration: It was an antient custom to kiss the Son when they ad∣mired, Iob 31.27. So Ierom and others read the word; Admire the Son. Ado∣ration,

it is a Crown Jewel, proper to Christ, and to his Crown. Admire the Son; that's the first.

Secondly, Kissing the Son, it de∣notes subjection. So we find 1 Sam. 10.1. Samuel kissed Saul when he anointed him King: He kissed him in token of homage and subjection to him. So that's the meaning of the Text; Kiss the Son, that is, admire him. The Text falls into these two parts.

First, Here's a duty; Kiss the Son.

Secondly, The reason of it, and that is very cogent; lest he be angry.

So here are two Propositions do re∣sult from the words. I shall only speak to the first, and draw in the other in the Application.

Doct. 1. Iesus Christ is the Son of God.

Doct. 2. It is a great point of pru∣dence, highly to value and love; to kiss and admire this blessed Son of God.

First, Iesus Christ is the Son of God; Kiss the Son; he is the Son of God, not by creation, as the Angels are said to be his Sons; but he is his Son by eternal generation, Heb. 1.3. Who be∣ing the brightness of his glory, and the express Image of his person. Observe, Jesus Christ is the Son of God; for he is the brightness of his Fathers glo∣ry. You know that the brightness that is••ues from the Sun, is of the same nature with the Sun in the Firma∣ment. So Jesus Christ he is the bright∣ness of his Father; he is of the same nature with his Father, as the Beams, they are of the same nature with the Sun: Therefore Christ speaks thus, Iohn 14.9. He that hath seen me, hath seen my Father. Again observe, Christ he is called the brightness of his Fathers glory. The glory of the Sun in the Firmament, it lies in the brightness of it. So the incomparable glory of the Father doth most shine in Jesus Christ; he is the brightness of his Fa∣thers glory: And this is enough to

demonstrate to us, that Christ is the very Son of God. And as Christ is the Son of God; so he is a Royal Son; he is a Son, as he is a King: I have set my King upon my holy Hill of Zion, Psal. 2. Jesus Christ he is said in Scripture to be the Prince of the Kings of the Earth, Rev. 1.5. All Kings they hold their Crowns by immediate Tenour from Jesus Christ, Prov. 8.15. By me Princes reign. So that Christ he is a Royal Son: he is so a Son, that he is a King. Indeed he hath the Titles given to him of a King.

1. He is called high and mighty, Isa. 9.6. the mighty God.

2. As he is a King, he hath his En∣signs of Royalty, he hath his Sword, Psal. 49.3. He hath his Scepter in his hand, Heb. 1.8.

3. Again, Christ as he is King, he hath his Prerogative Royal. As for instance; he hath power to make Laws: he hath power to pardon of∣fenders, which are Jewels belonging to the Crowns of Princes.

4. Again, he hath his Subjects, and they are the most noble and excellent Subjects in the world, in a threefold respect.

First, All Christs Subjects are made free, Iohn 18.36. His Subjects▪ do fear him from an ingenuous principle of Love; they do not serve Christ out of constraint, but out of choice: they are of a free, noble spirit.

Secondly, Christs Subjects they have the spirit of the Living God in them: they have the in-dwelling of the Holy Ghost, 2 Tim. 1.14.

Thirdly, All Christs Subjects, they are of the Blood Royal of Heaven; they are Kings, Rev. 1.8. Thus you see, Christ he is a Son, and he is a King; he hath his Subjects.

5. Again, Christ as King, he hath his dominions: There are some Prin∣ces have titles, but they have not do∣minions: But Christ hath dominions as well as titles of honour: He hath Lands belonging to his Crown. Christs dominions are famous for three things.

First, They are large dominions: God hath given him as King the ut∣termost parts of the Earth for his pos∣session: His Kingdom reaches all over the world.

Secondly, Christs dominion is fa∣mous for its spirituality. The Lord Jesus sets up his Throne and King∣dom where no other King can: He rules the hearts of men; he gives Laws in their Consciences; he binds their Souls by his Laws: Here's the spiritua∣lity of his Kingdom.

Thirdly, Here is the eternity of his Kingdom or Dominion: Thy Throne, O God! is for ever and ever, Heb. 1.8. What King can say so? It's true, he hath many Heirs; (for all Believers they are his Heirs) yet he hath no Suc∣cessors. Earthly Crowns fade away, tumble in the dirt, and those that wear them. Doth the Crown endure to all generations? No; there is a worm that feeds in this gold. But Christs Throne, it endures for ever. As the Lord Jesus hath the largest possessions,

(for so he hath) and they shall endure for ever and ever.

And thus much for the Doctrinal part. Jesus Christ he is the Son of God; the brightness of his glory. And he is a Royal Son; he is so a Son, as he is a King.

Now to make some Application.

Use 1.

First, By way of Inference. Is Je∣sus Christ the Son of God? a King full of glory and majesty? then it informs us thus much; That all matters of fact must be brought before this Son of God. It is the Son of God, his Royal Son, by whom all Princes reign. Learn from hence, That all matter of fact must be brought before this Son. Christ he hath the power of life and death in his hand, Iohn 5.22. Observe, The Father hath committed all Iudgment, all Government, to the Son. That bles∣sed Lord Jesus that once had a Reed put into his hand, by way of scorn

and contempt; he shall shortly have a Royal Scepter put into his hand as some great King. That Jesus who once hung upon the Cross, he shall shortly sit as Judge upon the Bench. God hath committed all Judgment to the Son. The whole world must short∣ly come before the Son. That's the last and great Assize, from whence there's no Appeal. This blessed Son of God is fitly qualified to be the Judge of the world, in respect of these two things.

First, Jesus Christ hath wisdom to understand all Causes; he is the Son of God; he is God; therefore will search to the bottom of all Causes; therefore he is described with seven Eyes, to denote his Omnisciency to judge of things. Jesus Christ he weighs the spirits of men as it were in a bal∣lance, Iob 16.2. He is said to weigh the spirit. Christ doth not only judge matter of fact, but he judges of mens hearts. Many mens actions may seem in this world to be good, but their hearts are not good, 2 Chron. 25.2.

Now Christ, this great Judge, he hath this Touchstone to try the heart.

Secondly, Jesus Christ he hath not only wisdom; but hath strength too, whereby he is able to be revenged up∣on all his Enemies: Therefore in Scripture it is remarkable, that Christs seven Eyes, they are said to be upon one Stone. Seven Eyes upon one Stone, to denote the infinite strength of Christ; the power and mighty strength of Christ. As Christ hath his ballance; so he hath his sword to cut off offen∣ders: He can easily strike through the Loins of his Enemies, Psal. 110. Thus the Son of God, this Royal Son, he is to be Judge, and all Causes, and all Matters will be brought before his Judgment Seat. Christs Court is the highest Court of Judicature: if men are once cast there, there is no Appeal to any other Court.

A second Use that I would make of this point, is an Use of Exhortation; and it hath three or four branches in it.

First, If Jesus Christ be the Son of God, so full of glory and majesty, and shall sit upon the Bench of Judi∣cature; then let all great ones take heed how they employ their power against Jesus Christ: It is Christ that doth give them their power. By me (saith Christ) Princes reign, Prov. 8. v. 15. Power and Soveraignty it is a Talent that Christ doth entrust men with; and he will shortly call them to an account what they have done with this Talent; and if it be found that they have imployed this Talent against Jesus Christ, O what a dismal account will they have to make! Christ is set up to be a King; and whoever oppose Christ in his Kingly Office, that say, We will not have this man to reign over us; why, these will find that Christ will be too hard for them. For men to lift up themselves against Christ, it is as if a little Child should go to fight with an Arch Angel, Isa. 8.9. Associate your selves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces. This is

the voice of Gods Church speaking to its Enemies. The Church of God having such a Champion of her side as the Lord Christ is, she insults over all her Enemies.

Secondly, If Jesus Christ be the Son of God, then let us labour all of us to become one with Christ; then we also shall be the Sons of God. Christ makes all the Saints to become Sons; Sons of God, Rom. 8.17, 18. Christ is a Son by eternal generation; and Be∣lievers they are his Sons by Adoption. David thought it a great honour to be Son-in-law to a King, 1 Sam. 18.18. What an infinite honour is it to be the Sons of the most high God! As Christ is the Son of God; so grace makes us to be the Sons of God. God accounts all his Sons to be honourable; and they must needs be so. Such ho∣nour have all his Saints; for they are born of God, and they fetch their pe∣digree from Heaven, Isa. 43.4. Since thou wast precious in mine eyes, thou hast been honourable. Their tears are put

••nto Gods own bottle. He gives the Saints a partnership with Christ in his glory. God lays up a portion for all his Sons: he gives them a Kingdom when they die, Luke 12.32. It is my Fathers good pleasure to give you a King∣dom. O! who would not labour for grace? As Christ is the Son of God; so grace makes us to become the Sons of God; and being Sons, we are Heirs to all Gods promises. The promises, they are a Cabinet of Jewels; and God hath bestowed this Cabinet upon his Sons: Therefore Saints they are called Heirs of the promises, Heb. 6. v. 17. and Heirs of eternal life, Titus 8.7. O ye Saints of God! think of this. If ye are Sons, why, tho' you may lose and suffer the spoiling of your goods, as the primitive Saints did, Heb. 10.34. yet you shall not lose your portion; for your heavenly Father will keep a portion for you in his Kingdom.

Thirdly, If Christ be the Son of God, then let us all be willing to hear

Christs voice whenever he speaks to us. This I ground upon that Scrip∣ture, Matth. 17.5. This is my beloved Son, hear him. This is the Inference that God himself makes. When Jesus Christ calls for us in his Word to be∣lieve and to repent; now he is said to speak from Heaven to us. O then let us hear the Son! God knows how long we shall hear the Son speaking to us. Shall we hearken to a lust? shall we hearken to a temptation? shall we hear the Serpents voice? and shall we not hear the Sons voice? O let us not despise the voice of the Son of God! If God should speak to us now as he did to the people when he gave the Law with Thundering and Earth∣quakes; then we should tremble as they did, Exod. 20.18, 19. Let not the Lord speak to us, lest we die; but when God speaks to us, Heb. 1.2. with a still small voice of the Gospel; when God wooes and beseeches us by his Son, 2 Cor. 5.19. Turn ye, turn ye; why will ye die? Ezek. 18.31, 32. Hear, and your

souls shall live, Isa. 55.2. shall we not now hear the voice of the Son of God? If we will not hear Christs first voice; Come unto me you that are weary and heavy laden, Matth. 11.28. we shall never hear Christs second voice; Come to me, ye blessed, Luke 25.34.

Fourthly, (which is the main thing of all) If Christ be the Son of God, a King full of glory and majesty, as you have heard; then take the counsel in the Text; Kiss the Son, lest he be angry. Kiss Christ this blessed Son of God with a threefold kiss. Kiss him,

• 1. With a kiss of Faith.
• 2. With a kiss of Love.
• 3. With a kiss of Obedience.

First, Kiss Christ the Son of God with a kiss of Faith. This is indeed to kiss him, when we believe in him; so it follows in the words of the Text; Blessed are they that put their trust in him, to believe and confide in his merit. This believing kiss, it is that which Christ looks for to affect our thoughts and confidence in the merit of the Son

of God. This kiss of Faith (saith Austin) it is as it were to set footing in Heaven, when we begin to believe, we have got one foot in Heaven. It is the main thing in the Gospel, to believe in the Son, Act. 13.39. By him all that believe are justi∣fied. We may believe sometimes when we don't know we believe. As there may be life, when there is no lively sence; so in Faith, we may have Faith when we don't know it. I am not justified because I believe; but because I know I believe. This kiss of Faith, believing in Christ, it is the best kiss we can give to Christ. This he takes most kindly at our hands: For when we believe, then we honour the Son as we honour the Father. It sets the Crown upon the head of Christ.

Now because there is so much weight lies upon this believing in the Son of God; I shall shew you first, What is this to believe in him?

I answer: It is not only an assent that Jesus Christ is the true Messiah; but there must be a fiducial recum∣bency,

a leaning on Christ as the Spouse did. Who is this that comes leaning on her Beloved? Cant. 8.5. All other Pillows will break but this Pil∣low: this Pillow you can never lean too hard upon. Jesus Christ is a golden Pillow, that bears all that is laid upon him. This believing in Christ, it is a catching hold of his merit. One that is ready to drown, he catches hold on the bough or twig to keep him from sinking. O! nothing will keep us from eternally sinking in the Sea of Gods wrath, but a catching hold on Jesus Christ. Believing, it is a holy adventure upon Christ: as Queen Esther, she adventured into the pre∣sence of the King; If I perish, I perish, says she. This is the language of Faith; If I perish, I perish. Who ever perish'd believing?

Secondly, This kissing of Christ by Faith, it is hard; it is not an easie mat∣ter. It is easie to profess this Son of God; but it is not easie to kiss this Son. That which makes this work

of believing, lies in these two things.

First, Because man sets up the Idol of Self-righteousness: he is apt to think he hath something of his own growth in him; righteousness of his own: his prayers, his tears, his alms, he would make a Christ of them. Instead of kissing the Son, he doth idolize himself. Man's a proud piece of flesh; he would see some wor∣thiness in himself; he would give part to himself, and part to Christ: he is loth to be beholden to grace only; he would grow upon his own Root, and not be grafted upon the Stock of Christs righteousness, Rom. 10.3. Go∣ing about to establish a righteousness of their own, they have not submitted them∣selves to the righteousness of God. O! it's wonderful to see a proud sinner humble; to go out of himself to Christ for righteousness. That's one thing.

Secondly, That which makes this work of believing so hard, is this; be∣cause believing, it's a work above the power of nature to produce; it's a

work of supernatural infusing, Iohn 6. v. 29. Faith is call'd the work of God: It's the work of God to believe. Faith is a new Creation. The creation of the world, it is called the work of Gods finger; but the creation of faith, it is called the work of Gods arm: The Lord doth as it were set all his strength awork. It is called the ex∣ceeding greatness of his power, Eph. 1.20. Surely to raise Christ from the dead, required a great power; he had a heavy Grave-stone laid upon him; the sins of the whole world. Why the same power God doth put forth in the pro∣ducing of faith in the Soul: so that this kissing of Christ by faith, is not so easie as most do imagine.

Thirdly, Where ever this blessed work of faith is, it hath some virtue goes along with it; it hath a refining, consecrating virtue. The kiss of faith, it's a holy kiss; it purifies the heart, and makes it holy, Acts 15. Faith is in the heart, as fire amongst metal; it purifies it, and takes away the dross.

A kiss of faith, it has the same virtue as the touching of Christ by faith. The Woman touched the hem of Christs garment by faith, and immediately she receives healing virtue from that touch, Mark 5.34. Thus faith touches Christ and heals. True faith draws a sanctifying and a mortifying virtue from the Lord Jesus. Justifying faith may be called a faith of spiritual mi∣racles; for it removes mountains of sins, and throws them into Christs blood. Whoever doth kiss the Son by faith, he is presently made holy: The truth is, faith doth argue a man to holiness; it falls to reasoning with him: O my Soul▪ hath Christ done so much for me? hath he forgiven me so many debts? hath he purchased such rich mercy in his blood? and wilt thou abuse the Love of so dear a friend! Wilt thou make the wounds of thy dear Saviour to bleed afresh! is this to kiss the Son? O my Soul! how shouldst thou give up thy self to Christ in holiness! And then faith

reasons; If that my tears will wash Christs feet, wilt thou not pour them out? If thy Estate be a precious Oint∣ment, wilt not thou pour out this Ointment upon part of Christs body, and relieve his Members? Now the Soul cannot withstand these melting reasons, but presently yields to all. Faith it is a holy gift; it doth conse∣crate the heart where-ever it comes.

Fourthly, To kiss the Son by faith, it is the most excellent way of wor∣shiping of him: there's nothing like believing. Let me a little set forth to you the excellency of faith.

First, This is the main thing the Scripture doth hold forth and press you to. If one should be asked this Question; Why the Scriptures were written? The Answer is; to point us to Christ the true Messiah, and that we should embrace him by faith, Iohn 20.31. These things are written, that you might believe that Iesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that believing you might have life through his name. This is the

marrow of the Gospel. It's the sove∣raign Cordial of a fainting Soul, that by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ he may be saved.

Secondly, This blessed believing, kissing the Son by faith, it is the most excellent of all graces; it excels all others, even as Gold among Metals. Every grace is very lovely, but this of faith excels them all.

Consider these four or five parti∣culars.

First, Faith is the uniting grace; therefore this grace excels; other gra∣ces conform us to Christ, but faith unites us to Christ; it espouses us to him: Other graces make us like Christ; but faith makes us one with Christ: Other graces make us pictures of Christ; but faith makes us branches of Christ. That's one.

Secondly, Faith it is the heart, vital grace. By kissing Christ we fetch life from him: The just shall live by faith, Hab. 2.4. By believing we fetch life from Christ: I live by the faith of the

Son of God, saith the Apostle, Gal. 2.20. As the arm lives by drawing life from the heart; so faith it lives by drawing life and strength from Christ. Other graces are useful, but faith is vital.

Thirdly, Faith it is the justifying grace, therefore it is most excellent, Rom. 5.1. Being justified by faith. It is not repentance that justifies, nor self-denial, but faith: Faith it is the most proper grace of all to justifie a sinner; for the hand is more fitter to receive the food, than the eye: so faith is the most proper to justifie, because when we believe, we don't give any thing to Christ, but we fetch something from him.

Fourthly, It is a world-conquering grace, 1 Iohn 5.4. This is the victory over the world, even our faith. Faith overcomes all the allurements of the world, the riches of the world, the delights of the world; and it doth it thus; by shewing the Soul a better world than this is. Faith gives it a prospect of prosperity: it carries a

Believer to the Mount of Transfigura∣tion; it makes it to see things that are not seen by the eye of sence, Heb. 12.1. Faith leads the Soul to Christ the bright morning Star; it gives the Soul a view of him, and he is known in the embroidered Robes of his glory. Faith shews a man a Kingdom; it trades above the Moon; and when once a Soul hath a shadow of these things, it despises all the pleasures of this world.

Fifthly and lastly, Faith is a suffer∣ing grace; it inables us to wade tho∣row the deep waters of affliction, Heb. 11.25. By faith Moses he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season. Faith is a Furnace grace; it gives the Soul a right notion of suf∣fering. What is this suffering? saith faith, it is but light affliction, 2 Cor. 4.17, 18. The Cross is light in com∣parison of the Cross which Christ con∣formed to. The Cross is light in com∣parison of the weight of glory; and thus faith makes the Soul go through affliction.

Thirdly, This kissing of Christ by faith, pleases God more than any thing we can do besides; it is better than to give God Rivers of Oil; it is better than Sacrifice: it is faith that pleases God; this is the savoury meat which God loves to tast of: And the reason why believing is thus pleasing to God, is this; because, by believing, we bring a righteousness into Gods presence, which is perfectly meritorious. We don't bring the righteousness of Adam into Court, or the righteousness of Angels; but we bring the righteous∣ness of God; and this is that which makes believing so pleasing to God. If then to kiss Christ by faith, be the great work under the Gospel; why then let us labour thus to kiss the Son of God by believing in him, and put∣ing and placing our full hope in him. That's the first thing: Kiss him with a kiss of faith.

Secondly, We must kiss the Son of God with a kiss of Love. Indeed Christ he is the wonder of beauty: he is no∣thing

but Love. God is love, 1 Iohn 4.8. Christ hath that majesty in him, which may draw reverence: and he hath that mercy in him, that may draw love to him. The Lord Jesus, he is a whole Paradice of delight; why then, kiss him with a kiss of love. Let it be a sincere love, 1 Cor. 16.21. Grace be with them that love the Lord Iesus in sincerity and truth. Don't kiss him with a Iudas kiss, to betray him; but love him sincerely; that is, love his person more than Jewels. Love Christ more for what he is, than for what he hath; and then love Christ with a superla∣tive love; a love above all things whatsoever. Christ hath loved you more than others; you that are Be∣lievers; he hath loved you with such a love, that he doth not bestow upon the wicked. You have Electing love, you have Adopting love: let your love to Christ be such a love, that none else but Christ may be a sharer, that is, give Christ a love that is joyned with adoration. Don't only kiss Christ

with your lips, but worship him in your hearts. That's a second: Kiss Christ with a kiss of Love; he de∣serves your love most, and he deserves your love best.

Thirdly, Kiss Christ with a kiss of Obedience. This is to kiss Christ, when we submit to him, when we obey his Laws, when we are under his Jurisdiction. There are many in the world give Christ a complemental kiss; they seem devout and zealous; they bow and cringe; O but they don't obey the Son! they kiss Christ as their Saviour, but they will not submit to him as their Prince. The truth is, they would have Christ and their lusts together; they would em∣brace his Promises, but they will not obey his Commands. O kiss the Son with a kiss of Subjection! We should be like the Needle that points that way which the Loadstone draws. Those persons that will not have Christs Laws to rule them, they shall never have Christs Blood to save them.

Now to perswade you to kiss the Lord Jesus with a kiss of Obedience, consider these two things.

1. The first is in the Text: lest he be angry. Anger is not in Christ as a pas∣sion; but anger is said to be in Christ as a displeasure in him. And his pu∣nishing of offenders, is the effect of his displeasure. Who knows the power of his anger? O therefore kiss the Son, lest he be angry! See that place in Rev. 6. v. 15. The Kings of the Earth, the great men hid themselves in the Dens, and in the Rocks of the Mountains; and said to the Rocks and the Mountains, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. Now the Lamb of God is turn'd into a Lion; and therefore they cry out to the Rocks O hide us from the wrath of the Lamb! He that hath no part in the Blood of the Lamb, will have a part in the wrath of the Lamb. If you will not kiss the ••on, and lie down at his feet, and submit to him; then you must fall into his

hands; and the Apostle saith, It's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God, Heb. 10.31. It is good for to fall into his hands when he is a friend; O but it's sad to fall into his hands when he is an adversary! God is the sweetest friend, but he is the sourest enemy. When but one spark of Gods wrath doth light upon a man, it is so terrible, what is it then to have the whole Furnace of his wrath! How easily can the Lord Jesus crumble us to dust? he can unpin the whole world? O then kiss the Son, lest he be angry. The Mountains quake at his presence; and will not the sinners heart quake? Perhaps you think this Lion is not so fierce as he is painted. Look into one Scripture, Ezek. 22.14. Can thine heart endure, or can thine hand be strong in the day that I shall deal with thee?

2. Secondly, If we kiss the Son by believing in him, and by obeying him, Christ will answer Love with Love: he will smile upon us; he will kiss us

with the kisses of his mouth, Cant. 1.8. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for his love is better than wine. Christ will lay us for ever in his bo∣som; and if we give him a kiss of Love, he will give us a Crown of Life, Rev. 2.

The last Use.

Here's a word of terrour to wicked men; instead of kissing the Son, they disobey him, dishonour him, vex his Spirit, do all they can to spite him: They take counsel against the Lord and his Anointed. Are there not ma∣ny that do all they can to overturn Christs Interest? they would stop the Conduit-pipes that transmit the Wa∣ter of Life, Rev. 17.14. They shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them. Christ will get the Vi∣ctory; he will come off Conquerour. Jesus Christ, he will lay his Saints in his bosom; but he will put his Ene∣mies under his feet, Psal. 110.1. I will make mine enemies my footstool. Those that will not be ruled by Christs

Royal Scepter, his Scepter of grace, they shall be broken by his Rod of Iron. In short; All those that do op∣pose Christ, they shall be as so many ripe clusters of Grapes, to be cast into the great Wine-press of Gods wrath, and to be trodden by the Son of God, till their blood squeezes out. The Lord Jesus, he shoots his Arrows very deep into the very hearts of his Enemies, Psal. 54.5. His Arrows are sharp in the hearts of his Enemies. The Per∣sians, they dip their Arrows in poison, to kill more mortally. So Jesus Christ, he shoots his Arrows of poison; and because they cannot endure the wrath of the Lamb all at once, they will be enduring it to all eternity. So there∣fore here is terrour to all them that do not kiss the Son.