Christ's incarnation and character.
Isai. ix. 6. U?ito us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the governmejit shall he upon his shoulder: arid his name shall he called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The ever- lasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
THERE is no true peace or happiness in the world except that which arises from the Gospel of Christ ; for God himself testifies that there is no peace to the wicked. But where the Gospel truly prevails, peace and joy immediately spring up as its proper fruits. Such a change as this the prophet describes in the preceding context ; and then, in the words before us, traces it to its real source. From the words them- selves we shall be led to consider,
I. The advent of Christ to take the charge of his kingdom —
Though given to us by God, he came in an obscure and humble form —
[He was a little " child, born" in as helpless a state as others, and subject to all the sinless infirmities of our nature. He was indeed in a more especial manner the gift of the Father's love^; the most invaluable gift that God himself could bestow. He was the Child, and the Son, of whom all the prophets spake, the offspring of a virgin, " Emmanuel, God with us." But as the end of his coming was to redeem our fallen race, he came in such a way, as was best suited to the accomplishment of his own eternal purpose and grace.]
Yet, notwithstanding his mean appearance, he came to assume the government of the Church —
[As the Creator of the universe, he must of necessity have also been the governor of it before his incarnation. But now he came to administer the government as mediator ; for all judgment was committed to him, not only as the Son of man, but hecause he was the Son of man^ The Church, in a more especial manner, is subjected to him in this view ; and he is the head of it, as well for the purpose of communicating his influence to the members, as of managing its concerns'^. And so entirely is every thing under his controul, that not so much as a hair falls from the head of any of his people without either his express command, or righteous permission. As in the days
« Johniii. 16. » John v. 27. ' <= Eph. i. 22.
872.] Christ's incarnation and character. 527
of his flesh he exercised the most unHmited authority over dis- eases, devils, and the very elements, so now every thing, whether designedly, or against its will, fulfils his unerring counsels.]
We shall the less wonder at his elevation to a throne, if we consider, II. His qualifications for the regal office —
His being called by any name, imports that He really is what he is called. He is therefore,
1. A wonderful Counsellor*^ —
[He, in concert with the Father, formed the stupendous plan of man's redemption, a plan in which are contained all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge ^. Moreover in executing this plan, he has not only defeated all the plots and devices of Satan, but has invariably overruled them for the accomplish- ment of his own designs. His people too he endues with " wis- dom from above," enabling them to discern things hidden from the carnal eye, and guiding them in the way to heaven, so that a wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err therein ^ Who that has known ever so small a part of his ways, must not ex- claim with amazement, How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out !]
2. The mighty God—
[Angels and magistrates are sometimes called gods in a subordinate sense ; but He is " The mighty God," " God with us," even " God over all, blessed for ever." The dispensations, both of his providence and grace, manifest him to be a " God, wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working." Indeed, if he were not God, he never could bear upon his shoulder the government of the universe. He must be omnipresent, omni- scient, omnipotent, or else he never could hear the supplications, and supply the wants, of all his people at the same instant. However strange therefore it may seem. He who was a little child, was at the same time the mighty God ; it was " the Lord of glory that was crucified ;" it was " God who purchased the Church with his own blood^,"]