and prophets, fhat the coming Bedeemer would bring in holiness and righteousness, and that His principal victory would be over sin and the devil. For such a Sredeemer they waited patiently. For such a victory they earnestly longed.
Let us learn a lesson from these good people. If they, with so few helps and so many discouragements, lived such a life of faith, how much more ought we with a finished Bible and a full Gospel. Let us strive, like them, to walk by faith and look forward. The second advent of Christ is yet to come. The complete ''redemption of this earth from sin, and Satan, and the curse, is yet to take place. Let us declare plainly by our lives and conduct, that for this second advent we look and long. We may be sure that the highest style of Christianity even now, is to "wait for redemption," and to love the Lord's appearing. (Rom. viii. 23 ; 2 Tim. iv. 8.)
Let us observe, lastly, in these verses, what clear proof we have that the Lord Jesus was really and truly man, as well as Ood. We read, that when Mary and Joseph returned to their own city Nazareth, "the child grew and waxed strong in spirit."
There is, doubtless, much that is deeply mysterious in the Person of the Lord Jesus. How the same Person could be at once perfect God and perfect man, is a point that necessarily passes our understanding. In what manner and measure, and in what proportion at the early part of His life, that divine knowledge which He doubtless possessed, was exercised, we cannot possibly explain. It is a high thing. We cannot attain unto it.
One thing, however, is perfectly dear, and we shall
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do well to lay firm hold upon it. Our Lord partook of everything that belongs to man's nature, sin only excepted. As man He was bom an infant. As man He grew from infancy to boyhood. As man He yearly increased in bodily strength and mental power, during His passage from boyhood to full age. Of all the sinless conditions of man's body, its first feebleness, its after growth, its regular progress to maturity. He was in the fullest sense a partaker. We must rest satisfied with knowing this. To pry beyond is useless. To know this clearly is of much importance. A want of settled know- ledge of it has led to many wild heresies.
One comfortable practical lesson stands out on the face of this truth, which ought never to be overlooked- Our Lord is able to sympathize with man in every stage of man's existence, from the cradle to the grave. He knows by experience the nature and temperament of the child, the boy, and the yomig man. He has stood in their place. He has occupied their position. He knows their hearts. Let us never forget this in dealing with young people about their souls. Let us tell them con- fidently, that there is One in heaven at the right hand of God, who is exactly suited to be their Friend. He who died on the cross was once a boy Himself, and feels a special interest in boys and girls, as well as in grown up people.
Notes. Lxtkb II. 36—40.
36. — [A prophetess!] This is a remarkable expression, and only used on one other occasion in the New Testament Rev. ii. 20. If the word is to he taken in its fullest sense, it seems to show tiiat the spirit of prophecy, which had been withheld for nigh four hundred years since Malachi's time^ was being restored to