Christ, who has condescended to mediate between God and us. Were it only that he, like Moses, had revealed to us the will of God in a less terrific way, we ought to love him : but he has done infinitely more for us than Moses could possibly do ; he has not only stood between God and us, but has placed himself in our stead, and borne the wrath of God for us. He has not only silenced the thunders of Mount Sinai, but " has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being himself made a curse for usu." In a word, " He has made reconciliation for us by the blood of his cross ;" so that we may now come to God as our Father and our Friend ; and may expect at his hands all the blessings of grace and glory. " Through him we have access to God," even to his throne ; and by faith in him we may even now receive the remission of our sins, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Shall we not then love him ? Shall we not honour him ? Shall we not employ him in his high office as our Advocate and Mediator ? Shall we not glory in him, and " cleave unto him with full pur- pose of heart?" It was said by the Prophet Isaiah, " Surely, shall one say, In the Lord have I righteous- ness and strength : even to him shall men come ; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory x." O that this prophecy may be fulfilled in us ; and that there may henceforth " be in every individual amongst us such an heart !"
Lastly, God would behold in us An unfeigned de- light in his commandments. This will be the fruit, and must be the evidence, of our love to Christ : " If ye love me," says our Lord, " keep my command- ments5:" and again, "He that hath my command- ments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth mez." Indeed without this, all our sentiments or profes- sions are of no avail : " Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of Goda."
u Gal. iii. 13. x Isai. xlv. 24, 25. >' John xiv. 15.
z John xiv. 21. a 1 Cor. vii. 19.