This seems to be the obvious import of our Lord's question; and thus understood, it is as interesting and important now, as ever it was; and, for ought that appears, may be put, with as much propriety, to professing Christians, who believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Messiah, as to Jewish doctors, who viewed him to be an impostor. For, though all who profess to believe the Christian Reli

The Pharisees were the most be will be? Do you think he will learned, as well as the most devout be a Divine Person, or a superand punctilious sect of the Jews. angelick person, or a mere human And though they hated the Sad-person? What think ye of the Perducees, who were a kind of free- son of Christ?' thinkers; yet they were gratified with the opposition of this licentious sect to Christ, and were displeased and alarmed when the Divine Teacher refuted, confounded, and silenced them. "But, when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together." While they were assembled, with an evident design to entangle Christ in his talk, He took occasion to ask them a question, in order to ex-gion, will assent to the proposition, pose their ignorance and absurdity in accusing him of blasphemy, because he laid claim to Divinity. He knew what their answer would be; and he knew, that in their answer, they would contradict either themselves, or the Scriptures. His question was this: What think ye of Christ? As if he had said, What is your opinion with respect to the long predicted and long expected Messiah? How do you understand the Prophets? Though you treat me as an impostor, yet you all believe that there is to be a Messiah, a Christ: And what sort of a Person do you think

6

That Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ; yet they entertain as different opinions, respecting the Person of Christ, as the Jews ever did or can. And, it must be as important to us, as to those who lived in Christ's day, to have correct and scriptural views of the Person of the Messiah. Let the question, then, be seriously put to all present, what think ye of Christ?

In prosecuting this subject, I shall,

I. Mention some of the different opinions which professing Christians entertain of the Person of 'Christ.

II. Enquire what the Scriptures | tury. Of the Arians, some attri

teach us to believe respecting the Person of Christ? And,

III. Show the importance of having correct sentiments of the Person of Christ.

1. I shall mention some of the different opinions, which professing Christians entertain of the Person of Christ.

While the professors of Christianity agree in their belief, that Jesus, the son of Mary, was a person of veracity, of pure morals, and of great wisdom and piety, that he was a teacher sent from heaven, and in some way or other, instrumental of the salvation of lost men; that he was, indeed, the Messiah or Christ, foretold by the prophets and promised to Israel; still, they differ, greatly, in their opinions respecting his personal properties and dignity.

bute a higher and some a lowe degree of dignity to the Saviour. They generally hold, however, that Christ was the first of created beings, and that he possessed every divine attribute, except self-existence and independence.

3. It is the opinion of some, that Christ was neither a mere man, nor a created spirit, but, as they choose to express themselves, "properly and literally the Son of God." They suppose that Christ had no human soul; and that his spirit was not created, but literally begotten of the substance of the Father. Hence, they conclude, that Christ derived a real Divine nature from the Father, and that he is truly and without a figure, God; though destitute both of selfexistence and independence.

It will readily be perceived, that there is no more difference between the above notions of

Arians, than there is between the meaning of the term derived and the term created. But, what the real and essential difference is, between the meaning of these two terms, remains, perhaps, yet to be explained. I only add,

1. It is the opinion of some, that Christ was a mere man. These are called, for the sake of distinc-Christ's person, and that of the tion, Socinians, from one Socinus, a man of genius and learning, who first advanced this opinion in the sixteenth century. They deny that Christ had any existence before he was born of the virgin Mary. And they hold, that Jesus was in no respect superior to other men, except as he was endued with an uncommon degree of wisdom and virtue, and received an unusual measure of the spirit of prophecy and gift of miracles.

2. It is the opinion of some, that Christ was more than a man, though no more than a creature. They suppose he was a man as to his body only, which was born of the virgin; and that his soul was a superangelick spirit, created by the Father. These are usually denominated Arians, from Arius, 66 a man of a subtle turn, and remarkable for his eloquence, who originated this opinion of the person of Christ, in the fourth cen

4. It is the belief of the majority of professing Christians, and ever has been. that in Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, the Divine and human natures were mysteriously united: that He was truly God and truly man, in but one person.

Thus different and contradictory are the sentiments of professing Christians, respecting the Person of the Messiah. It is agreed, however, by all denominations, that our knowledge of this subject, is to be derived, wholly from the sacred Scriptures. This is the infallible judge, which must end the strife. To the Law and to the Testimony, then; if any speak not

according to this word, it is be- | vine Names are given to Christ.
cause there is no light in them.'
Which leads me,

II. To enquire, what the Scriptures teach us to believe, respecting the Person of Christ?

He is called God. "The Word was God. God was manifest in the flesh." He is called the great God. "The glorious appearing of the GREAT GOD, and our Sav1. The Scriptures teach us to iour, JESUS CHRIST." He is called believe that Christ was truly a the only Wise God. "To the inan. We read, that he was born, ONLY WISE GOD our SAVIOUr, like other infants. His under- be glory and majesty, dominion standing, as well as his stature, and power, both now and ever." was progressive, like that of other Christ is called by the peculiar children. We are told by Luke, and incommunicable name JEHOthat he increased in wisdom and VAH. "The voice of him that stature, and in favour with God crieth in the wilderness, Prepare and man. The Evangelists repre- ye the way of the Lord (JEHOVAH) sent Christ as possessing all the make straight in the desert a highinnocent natural affections of hu- way for our God." "Behold, man nature. They inform us, that the days come, saith the Lord, he was subject to hunger, thirst, that I will raise unto David a fatigue and pain; that he felt sym-righteous Branch, and a King pathy, pity and sorrow. They inform us, that Christ frequently called himself a man. In more than sixty places, they say, that Christ called himself the son of man; by which peculiar mode of expression, he always meant, and was always understood, to assert his proper humanity.

If, therefore, we give credence to the testimony of Scripture, we must believe that Christ was truly a man, possessing a material body

and a rational soul.

The

2. The Scriptures teach us to
believe, that Christ was truly God.
The passages, in which this is
taught, are very numerous.
bare quotation of them, without
note or comment, would fill a con-
siderable volume. The Divinity
of Christ is a doctrine running
through the whole bible, and inter-
woven with all its declarations,
predictions, precepts, promises
and ordinances. The evidence,
in Scripture, that Christ was truly
God, is multifarious and abundant:
a brief summary of it, is all that
we have time at present to exhibit.
And,

First. In sacred Scripture, Di

shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is the name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD, (JEHOVAH) OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Secondly. In Scripture, Divine Perfections are ascribed to Christ.

Eternity is ascribed to him. "But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, thousands of Judah, yet out of though thou be little among the

thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.-I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come." Omnipresence is ascribed to Christ.

"Where two or three are met together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. The fulness of Him, that filleth all in all."

Omniscience is ascribed to Christ. "Lord, Thou knowest all things. All He knew what was in man. the Churches shall know, that I am He, who searcheth the reins and

hearts; and I will give unto every one of you according to his works." Omnipotence is ascribed to Christ. "His name shall be called-the MIGHTY GOD. The Lord Jesus Christ-is able even to subdue all things to himself. I am the AL-JESUS." Christ is represented as

If one believes that Christ was a mere man, he will of course conclude that the principal design of his mission, was not to make atonement for sin, but only to bear witness to the truth; that repentance is all that is requisite to pardon; that sin is but a small evil; and that believers are justified solely on the ground of their person-false faith. If one believes that, al merits. Again,