that a greater trial was not required of us, for our justification by that law,-than he willingly fulfilled himself in our nature, and in the most rigorous manner: but, in afterwards giving himself up to every indignity, our natural desires endeavour to avoid, and to a death the most cruel, depravity could inflict, or a feeling heart. deplore to obtain the means, consistent with his plan, to raise all mankind to a participation of eternal joys with himself-is, surely, a demonstration of the affection and magnanimity of the man in the image of God: and, on our part, of the everlasting reverence, gratitude, and love that is due to him, for the sorrows he has borne; and, for the dignity and happiness his inestimable worth has prepared for us to enjoy. The words of the Lord, speaking by Isaiah, are, therefore, in truth fulfilled: "I will make a Isaiah xiii, 12. man more precious than fine gold; even than the golden wedge of Ophir." Hence, "There is none other name under Acts iv. 12. heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," than the name of Jesus Christ-the Isaiah ix. 6. Jer. xxiii. 6. Isaiah xii. 2. Rom. v. 18. Rom. viii. Hence, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Hence," He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Hence the words of Isaiah, "Behold, God is my salvation: I will trust" in him, "and not be afraid for the Lord Jehovah is my strength.” Hence St. Paul's words, "By the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life: for as by one man's disobedience, many were made sinners; so by the obedience of one, shall many be made righteous." "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" of God. Again, "If one died for all, then were all 2 Cor. v. 14. dead; and that he," Jesus Christ, "died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again: wherefore, henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature,"by the regeneration of his soul by the Holy Spirit of Christ. "Take heed, therefore, brethren, lest there Heb. iii. 12. be in any of you, an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God: but exhort one another daily, whilst it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end, while it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation: for some when they had heard did provoke, howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses." Heb. iv. 11. "But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he, that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief." "Let us labour, therefore, to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart; neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight, but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him, with whom we have to do." "Seeing then, that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession; for we have not an high priest which cannot |