(1.) In the dignity of his person. He is a more excellent person. Wherein consists the excellency of Christ's person? Truly, not at all in the outward appearance of his human nature, especially while here in the world. It is the foundation of all devotion among some, the making of glorious pictures of Christ ; by which means to represent him fine and glorious. But what doth he speak of himself in Ps. xxii. 6 ?
480 THE EXCELLENCY OF CHRIST.
" I am a worm, and no man." He was brought to that low condition that he was of no esteem, of no reputation. But if we could have had a sight of him, how comely would he have been ! Why, " he had neither form nor comeliness," in his outward appearance, " that when we should see him we should desire him," Isa. liii. 2 ; — wherein, then, consists the dignity of his person? In two things: — [1.] In the glory of his divine nature. [2.] In the immeasurable fulness of his human nature with grace : —
[1.] In his divine glory. Phil. ii. 6, "Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." Here is his glory. Also in John i. 14, " We beheld his glory." Wherein consists that glory? " The glory of the only begotten of the Father."
If you ask us, " What is our beloved more than another beloved?" ■ — ■" What is there in Christ, that our souls are sick of love for him, breathe and pant after the enjoyment of him, and that continually?" It is because we have seen his glory who is God blessed for ever.
[2.] It consists in the immeasurable, unspeakable fulness of grace that was given to his human nature. It is what I have as much thought of as any one thing, concerning the immeasurable fulness of grace which is in the human nature of Christ. So saith the apostle, John hi. 34, " God gave not the Spirit by measure unto him." How by measure? "To every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ," Eph. iv. 7. We have every one of us a measure; but it is given to him without a measure. There is an immeasurable fulness of grace in the human nature of Christ, which we are partakers of; " for of his fulness we all receive, and grace for grace." It is an infinity in the divine nature, transferred into the human nature of Christ, and through him communicated unto our souls. From the eternal fountain of the divine nature, through the human nature of Christ, which hath an immeasurable fulness, as the head of the church, it is, I say, transfused to all his members. In this he is " fairer than the children of men."
(2.) He is so in the excellency of his work. The work that Christ did was such as none ever did or could do, but only he himself. It is true, " The law was given by Moses," but " grace and truth came by Jesus Christ," John i. 1 7. Could not the law give grace, and do this business, so as to bring in an everlasting righteousness, pardon sin, save the soul, make us accepted with God? No; Rom. viii. 3, "What the law could not do, that God, sending his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, did." But there were sacrifices of the law; when men had sinned, they could make atonement. No ; " Sacrifice and burnt- offerings thou wouldest not. Then said I, Lo, I come to do thy will," Ps. xl. 7. But would there not be righteousness, if men observe the law, and follow after it? Alas! they could not obtain it; Rom. x. 3, 4,
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" For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." So that neither the deeds of the law, nor the sacrifices of the law, nor the righteousness of the law, will do. "The redemp- tion of our souls is precious," and would have ceased for ever, if Christ had not been found to undertake this work. When there was but a book to be opened of revelations for the church, none Avas found worthy to open it, until Christ prevailed, Rev. v. 2, etc. If there could be no new revelations made but only by Christ, much less could any in heaven or earth redeem the souls of men from death and hell, bring them into favour with God, and work out eternal redemption for them.
(3.) He is more excellent than all the sons of men, in the revela- tion he has made of the will of God. Christ has made such a reve- lation of the will, love, and grace of God, as none of the children of men ever saw before.
These are the things we ought to consider in Christ, as he is fairer than the children of men, in the dignity of his person, in the excel- lency of his work, and in the glory of his revelation.
You will say, " Why should we consider Christ in these his incom- parable excellencies?" I answer, —
[1.] That our hearts be not taken away nor engrossed by the chil- dren of men, and what belongs unto them, — their glory, their honours, their lusts, their pleasures, their righteousness. If we would not have our hearts allured and drawn off with them, the Avay is, to exercise our faith upon the incomparable excellencies of the Lord Jesus Christ. Can the world be to us an all-sufficient God, and a great reward? Can the world pardon our sins, save our souls, deliver us from wrath to come, reveal to us the mystery of truth from the bosom of the Father? Can it make known the mind of God ? communicate grace and love to us? If it cannot, then let us dwell in our thoughts on him who is fairer than the children of men.