2. His Mediatorial endowments —
[As Mediator, he has received his qualifications from God the Father : and those qualifications are abundantly sufficient for the work assigned him. The Spirit has been given to him, not by measure, as to others, but without measure '' : " In him, even in his human nature, dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily'." Hence "on him may be hanged every vessel, even all the glory of his Father's house ''."]
But, not to mention the infinite merit of his blood, and the all -prevailing efficacy of his intercession (" through which he is able to save men to the uttermost"), he has, as man, qualifi- cations which he could not have as God. He has, from his own experience of temptation, a tender sympathy with his tempted people, and a peculiar fitness and readiness to afford them all needful succour'.]
Address,
1 . Those who feel not their need of Christ —
[You cannot be persuaded that you are in a guilty, helpless, and undone state. But wherefore did God lay help upon One •that was so mighty ? Did he exert himself thus without a cause ? If not, the greatness of the remedy should shew you the ex- tent and imminence of your danger. Be persuaded then to put ■ ' away
'i^rsai. ix. 6. e Rom. ix. 5. ^ John ill. 34. ' Col. ii. Q.
"'feai. xxii, 22 — 24. ' Heb. ii. 18.
306 PSALMS, xc. 11, 12. [398.
away your high thoughts of yourselves. Beg of God that you may feel in what a helpless and hopeless state you are without Christ: and never imagine that your repentance is at all genuine, till your sense of your misery corresponds, in some measure at least, with the provision which God has made for your relief.]
2. Those who are discouraged on account of their extreme weakness and sinfulness —
[That you should he humbled on this account is right enough : but why should you fear? Do you suppose, that when God laid help for you upon his dear Son, he was not aware how much would be necessary for your salvation? or, has he been disappointed in his Son, finding him, after all, unequal to the task assigned him? Be ashamedof your unbelieving fears. Come not to Christ, saying, " Lord, if thou canst, or if thou wilt;" but cast your burthen wholly upon him, and see whether he be not able and willing to sustain you. He himself says to you, " O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself j but in me is thy help ™." This is your warrant to trust in him. ** Trust in him therefore with all your heart, and he will bring to pass " what- soever he sees to be needful for you. " Cast all your care upon him ;" and you " shall be saved in him with an everlasting salvation.^'j
" Hos. xiii. Q.