(8) But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. (9) Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
What a glorious testimony is here given, to the Person of Christ, as Christ; that is, as God-Man-Mediator. True indeed, as God, one with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, his throne of Godhead is forever and ever. And Under this view, such things as ascribe eternity, glory, and all other divine attributes, are all his. But very evidently, from the quotation of this passage from the Prophet, When celebrating the glories of the Messiah, Psalms 45:6-7. As well as what follows, in what is said of his fellows; the words both in the Prophet, and in this quotation by the Apostle, are spoken of Christ, as God-Man-Mediator. And most blessed they are indeed. Christ is all this, and everything that is great, and glorious, as the Head, and Husband of his Church and people. But I need not, in this place, dwell upon the subject. All the Bible is full of Christ, and His royalty. I will rather beg, to direct the attention of the Reader to what is here said of Christ's fellows: for some very sweet, and precious views, according to my apprehension, arise here from.
The name of fellows, according to the original, carries with it somewhat very near, and intimate. Partners, Consorts, companions; Meaning a right, in all that Christ hath, in his headship; which is communicable both here in grace, and hereafter in glory. He, the Sun to fill them with light. He, the fountain from which the streams which flow, make glad the city of God. Hence, as One, and the same anointing, which was poured by the Holy Ghost on Christ, descended to all the members of his body; they are called by the same names, as their glorious Lord. He is king in Sion. And they are made kings and priests by him unto God and the Father, Revelation 1:6. He is said to have the Spirit given unto him, without measure, John 3:35. And to everyone of them is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ, Ephesians 4:7. And hence, the words in this verse, which are rendered above thy fellows; may be read also for thy fellows: and both are equally beautiful, and correct.
But under this view of the subject, what I would more immediately call upon the Reader to remark with me, on this fellowship, this partnership of Christ, and his Church; Christ and his members, his body is this; that the anointing, our glorious Head; this man of unction, as he is called, or this holy thing: Luke 1:35. Was, and is, with an express eye to his body the Church. Christ, as God is called Jehovah's fellow, Zechariah 13:6. And Christ, as man, in this place, as well as elsewhere, hath his fellows, in his members, Psalms 45:7; Zechariah 3:8. It forms one of the sweetest of all subjects, the contemplation of Christ, and his Church, in this oneness, and fellowship. The whole Church in every individual member, of his mystical body, were from all eternity chosen in Christ, and set up with Christ: And the whole body, in the purpose of Jehovah, were chosen in him, and for him, as fellows, and partners, and companions; to receive from him, and to enjoy with him, all that is communicable, in name, and honor, and happiness, and affection; during the time-state of grace upon earth: and glory in heaven.
Reader! beg for grace from the Lord the Spirit, to meditate you the blissful subject; for indeed, and in truth, it is most blissful. Very certain it is, that God our Father's choosing the Church in Christ; and adopting the Church as Sons by Christ, was for this express purpose, for the glorifying of his dear Son, in his fellows, and members. It is God's choosing us in Christ; giving us this relationship in Christ making us one with Christ; fellows with Christ; as Christ is fellow to God which forms the foundation of all the blessedness which follows. There cannot be the shadow of a doubt, but in the very will, and purpose of Jehovah, that his dear Son should take upon him human nature; the first, the great, the ultimate end, and design of all, connected with the vast scheme, was to manifest the glory of the Son of God. everything therefore in all the subsequent events, was so ordered and arranged, as should minister best to this one purpose. The glory of Christ's Person shall be advanced in everything. Will fellows, partners, companions, to whom Christ, by communicating of himself, contribute to this end? Jesus shall have a Church. Will the fall of this Church afford occasion to the glories of redemption? The whole events included in this high dispensation shall also follow, that Jesus shall get glory in our redemption. In short, whatever hath a tendency to magnify the personal glory of the Son of God, shall take place, for God's design all along, and from beginning to end, is to glorify the Lord Jesus. And most blessed as it is, to know, that from everlasting, God our Father hath loved the Church with an everlasting love; and in proof hath chosen, predestinated, adopted, and accepted the Church in the Beloved, as children by Jesus Christ to himself: yet all, and every part, of this vast dispensation, in this manifold wisdom of God, is, with an eye, to the Person of Jesus. You have not chosen me (saith Christ) but I have chosen you, John 15:16. God's choice of the Church is for Christ, and his glory. And even the recovery of our nature from the Adam-fall of sin: though it hath our salvation in view, by the wonderful means adopted; yet this, is but the secondary consideration in God's design; the first, and grand object, is, to exalt the Personal glory of his dear Son. So sweetly speaks the Lord, by the Prophet: Behold! my servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted, and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at thee, his visage was so marred more than any man; and his form more than the sons of men. So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him; for that which had not been told them, shall they see; and that which they had not heard, shall they consider. Isaiah 52:13-15.