tion of the law could so display its perfection, and unfold its beauty, to a mind intelligent upon this subject, as do the character and work of that glorious Mediator, who was made the end of the law for righteousness to his people. He has presented the highest possible pattern and example of obedience to its precepts. The holiness of his character was without a stain or defect. His conformity to divine commands was perfect and undefiled. This obedience on his part was entirely voluntary, and accomplished for the covenanted purpose of justifying many, by its offering in their behalf. It thus presented a righteousness for them, infinite in its worth, from the infinite excellence and dignity of his own nature, and infinitely glorious to the law, to which it was rendered, and to the government, to which it thus acknowledged subjection. Here was the highest possible honour given to the holiness of the law, when "God over all, blessed forever," became himself subjected to it, and in this voluntary subjection, completely fulfilled it. Beyond this obedience, even the law to which he was voluntarily subjected, had no claims upon him. But he still farther became its consummation, by assuming upon himself, as the substitute and ransom for man, the penalty of his condemnation, and dying an accursed death, under the guilt of man assumed by him, and the curse which man deserved. He thus gave also the highest honour to the majesty of the law, by condescending himself to become the unresisting victim of its power, and by acknowledging in his own sufferings and death, the justice of its claims, and the rightfulness of its authority. He thus fulfilled it, in every possible aspect of its claims, offering an obedience which must eternally magnify its purity, and a suffering which must honour its power forever. When we view this fulfilment of the law of God, as exhibited in the obedience and death of the divine Redeemer, we are able to say in the highest sense of the expression, and in the highest perception of its truth, "the law

of the Lord is perfect." It was perfect before as the rule of the divine government, and in the principles and precepts which it recorded for man. But it had never been perfected by man's obedience, nor could it be thus honored by the obedience of fallen man for himself. But now that God's own Son has taken upon him our nature, that he might be the "end," literally, "the perfection of the law, for righteousness to those who believe,"-we are able to say in the sense of man's obedience, as well as in reference to all the preceding particulars which we have considered, "the law of the Lord is perfect." All that the providence of God in the revelations of his government designed, has been effected in the glorious exhibition of Jesus, in his work. Many sons are brought to glory through the power and merits of the captain of their salvation, who has been perfected in sufferings. And all that the commands of God required of men, has been accomplished by him who thus became a man for them, so that in Christ Jesus as their representative and righteousness, men sinful in themselves, are presented unto God, "faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy." And redeemed sinners, clothed with his obedience, and triumphant in his death, may sing with joy unspeakable and full of glory throughout eternity, in every possible sense of the expression, "the law of the Lord is perfect."

IV. I cannot imagine a theme more replete with joy and encouragement to a Christian heart, or more gratifying and improving to a sanctified mind, than the extensive one which we have now considered. How delightful is it to be, and to know that we are, under the uniform direction of the highest perfection of wisdom, faithfulness and love; to have the evidence and the promise that we are, and shall be, partakers of a scheme of grace, whose benefits are sure and everlasting, in whose provisions, every claim is satisfied, and every want is supplied. How transporting is it, to take this clear view of

the divine excellency, to contemplate the reality and extent of all these perfections; and then to feel sure that we have an abiding interest in a Being whose glories are so unsearchable. "This God is our God;""God even our own God shall give us his blessing." This is the blessed privilege which this subject presents to our view, exciting us to the highest efforts of obedience; leading us to the cultivation and maintenance of a spiritual mind; enabling us to follow after that holiness without which no man shall see the Lord; giving us that pure and happy spirit of love for the will and character of God, in which the psalmist so emphatically says, “O, how I love thy law, it is better to me than thousands of gold and silver; how sweet are thy words unto my taste, yea sweeter than honey to my mouth!" What can there be in the study and investigation of such a subject, which is not attractive and transforming in its influence, when the heart is attuned again to love the purity which it here sees in God, and the soul is able to rejoice in the perfect removal of all its fears and dangers under the judgment of this holiness, by the all-sufficient mediation of the anointed Saviour? O, that we may be taught, to estimate this divine knowledge according to its worth; to contemplate the revelations of God which it makes, with delight; and to seek to be ourselves transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord!

And while this subject is thus animating to the Christian heart, how inviting and encouraging is it to those who have hitherto neglected God! Though the holiness of the law condemns, and the more its excellence is understood, the more its condemning power is felt, yet the merits of the law-fulfiller, the great surety for the sinner, are seen to be all-sufficient. In him God the Father is well pleased, and equally well pleased with all who are in him, seeking their shelter by faith in his merits, and resting upon his righteousness and power. In him is life; life for all who come to him. But in what way can your guilt

Q*

be pardoned, your natures be sanctified, your souls be accepted with God, and your condition be made secure with him, but by casting in your lot, with thankful faith and humble penitence, with that Blessed Lord who has fulfilled all righteousness for you, and offers himself with every attendant blessing freely and everlastingly to your acceptance? How miserable is the sinner's condition who perishes in the midst of such offered mercies; shipwrecked at noonday, off the very haven that offered him security and rest, by his own headstrong confidence in his own wisdom, and his perverse rejection of an adequate and offered guide! Let not this be your condition. Means of light and knowledge are every where around you. God the Saviour fulfilling all righteousness, stands ready to save and bless you. The perfect law accomplished and honoured in him, directs you to his pardoning and justifying grace, and thus becomes his instrument for converting the soul. The Spirit of God with it as his sword, dividing asunder, and discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart, wounds indeed but only that he may heal, and cuts off on every side, but only that he may cast away that which is unprofitable and vain. With all these privileges, in your possession, what can increase the kindness and confidence with which you are invited to cast in your lot with the people of God, and to partake of the security which is provided for them? Improve these advantages while you may, and seek and find, and en ́joy, a free access unto him, who hath said, "whosoever cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out."

LECTURES ON THE GOSPEL.

LECTURE I.

THE OBJECT OF THE GOSPEL.

The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.ST. LUKE, XIX. 10.

THE Son of Man is the Lord Jesus Christ. By this appellation, he is described in his voluntary humiliation for man's redemption. In his own eternal nature, he was "the Son of God," "the only begotten of the Father," "the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person." But though" in the form of God," "equal with God," "the fellow of the Lord of Hosts," he "took upon himself, the likeness of man," and "the form of a servant;""God was manifest in the flesh," and thus became "the Son of Man," "made of a woman, made under the law, that he might redeem them that are under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

When this wonderful event, the incarnation of the Son of God, was accomplished, he came, in the expression of the text before us, from God to man, from heaven to earth, from the most exalted personal glory, to the deepest personal humiliation and distress,-from the possession of perfect bliss, to lay down his life a sacrifice for sin,-to give himself, the just for the unjust, a ransom for his own rebellious creatures. The Father spared not his own Son, but freely delivered him up for guilty man. The Son came in a body which was prepared for him, content to do the Father's will. The Holy Ghost formed him in his human nature, his tabernacle of