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sequence of this, those two passages of scripture in Job can be answered, for the human nature of Christ was clean, though " born of a woman," Job xxv. 4. And God brought the human nature of Christ, that holy thing, there! fore a clean thing, out of Mary. So that he was clean, though born of a sinful woman, who was a fallen creature in Adam, as well as all the rest of the human race, Job xiv. 4.Again, Paul says, "For such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens," Heb. vii. 26. And in the days of his flesh he thus challenges all his enemies: "Which of you convinceth me of sin?" But they were all mute.-And he adds, "The prince of this world cometh, but hath nothing in me, John xii. 30.-In Daniel it is said, "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy," chap. ix. 24. And Paul calls him "the holy child Jesus," Acts iv. 27. "In him was no sin."" Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth," 1 Peter ii. 22. Thus you see how full the scripture is in shewing us how the human nature of Christ was formed,

and of the perfection thereof; that, being formed by the Holy Ghost in the virgin's womb, it did not partake of original sin, and therefore was a suitable nature for the Son of God to assume. It was the true tabernacle, which God pitched and not man, and in which the Son of God dwelt: "For in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." And, because the Son of God assumed the nature of his people, and vailed the glory of his Godhead under a tabernacle of flesh, it might well be called a temple, because God was there. Hence Christ said to the Jews, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will' raise it up again." He spake of the temple of his body, in which the Son of God dwelt. Having, I hope, made my way plain hitherto by the word of God, I proceed to speak,

III. Of the blessed effects of his incarnation.

By the incarnation of the Son of God, as the heavenly host sang, "Glory to God (is brought) in the highest, on earth peace, and good will to men" is manifested. By the union of the two natures in the person of Christ at way of access to God is made manifest; and, being God and man in one person, Christ becomes a proper mediator and daysman between God and sinners. He stood in the gap,

closed up the breach that sin had made, and hath reconciled God to us, and us to God. From everlasting he undertook our causefrom everlasting undertook to be our Redeemer and Saviour and by his incarnation he was put in a capacity to fulfil all his and his Father's will. As man he could suffer, and as God he could merit: therefore all that he did as man, his human nature being in union with the person of the Son of God, there was that infinite merit stamped upon it, and that everlasting and ever available worth, value and efficacy, put into all that he did and suffered, that his work for his people was perfect, and everlastingly efficacious to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him.

By the incarnation of the Son of God, "Mercy and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Every threatening is executed, and every promise fulfilled, or made sure, to all his seed, by Christ our glorious Surety and Mediator; so that God can be strictly just, and yet justify the worst of sinners by faith in Christ crucified. In his holy life he obeyed every precept of the law, in the nature, in the name, in the room, and in the stead, of his elect. Not one jot or tittle of the law fails-he gave it a perfect obedience. As he was to magnify the law and make it honourable, so he did. He fulfilled

all righteousness; and his righteousness imputed is our justifying righteousness. But, as it is said, "the soul that sinneth, it shall die;" which was the penalty annexed to the law in case of transgression; so Christ laid down his life for the sheep; he died, the just for the ununjust, that he might bring us to God. Again. "It pleased the Father to lay upon him the iniquity of us all," and he removed the iniquity of his people in one day-the day on which he suffered for his precious blood cleanseth from all sin; and by his one offering of himself as a sacrifice he hath perfected for ever all them that are sanctified, having obtained eternal redemption for them. He hath also satisfied justice. The sword of justice awoke against Christ; it awoke against the man, God's fellow: he was smitten, and therefore the sheep were scattered, or saved from the stroke.— As it is said by our glorious Captain when his enemies went to apprehend him in the garden, and he went forth to meet them, saying, "Whom seek ye?" Then they went backward, and fell to the ground, in fulfilment of what is said in the Psalms: "When mine enemies and my foes came upon me to eat my flesh, they stumbled and fell."-Then says the Captain of our salvation to them, "If ye seek me, let these go their way.' way." If the surety pays the debt, the debtor goes free.

-The shepherd was smitten that the sheep might be saved from the stroke, as it is written, "Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones."-Again. He endured the wrath of God; he trode that wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with him. How inconceivable then must his pain have been, both in body and soul, when he endured the wrath of God, and was made a curse for us! Coupling these together, let us see what the scriptures tell us of this wonderful love and condescension of our suffering, dying Saviour.-We must go the garden of Gethsemane for part of the mournful tale. He said to his disciples, "Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder." - And it is said, he began to be sorrowful and very heavy.-Then saith he, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death," --And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "O, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me! Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." The second time he prayed the same, Matt. xxvi. 3642. "Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour! but for this cause came I unto this hour," John xii. 27. Again. "And, while he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, he kneeled down and prayed; and, being in an agony, he prayed