them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto Godf."
All this is Christ's covenanted work: he performs it in consequence of his own engagements : and he will perform it as long as there shall continue one on whose behalf the mighty working of his power shall be necessary.]
In the text we notice,
II. His ability to execute it —
We cannot doubt of this, when we are informed,
1. By whom he was called to it —
[The Father gives in this place a glorious description of his own majesty, as the Creator of heaven and earth, yea of man also, with his animal life, his rational faculties, and his immortal soul. Nor is this description without a very im- portant meaning, as introductory to the commission given to his Son ; because it shews us by what high authority his Son acted, and how certainly his undertaking shall be effectual for the end designed.
" Christ glorified not himself to become an high priest, but was called of God, as was Aaron." The Father " called him in righteousness." In execution of his own righteous purpose, and in accomplishment of his righteous promises, he gave him this commission. He called him when first he entered into covenant with him ; and again, when he provided him a body for the discharge of his office ; and again, when by an audible voice from heaven he testified, " Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
From these repeated calls we are assured, that Christ was fully authorized to undertake our cause, and that in all that he did and suffered for us he was accepted of his heavenly Father.]
2. By whom he was assisted in it —
[The trials which Jesus met with from man, though ex- ceeding great, might have been borne : but when he conflicted with all the powers of darkness, and sustained all the weight of his Father's wrath, he must have sunk under the load, had not his almighty Father supported him. But never did he want effectual aid. He complained of dereliction indeed in his most trying hour : but this dereliction related only to the sensible presence of his Father, whereby he might have been comforted : that which was necessary for his support, was never withdrawn : the Father had said to him, " I will hold thine hand, and will keep thee ;" and never for one moment was he forgetful of his promise.
But this promise was not confined to the period of Christ's
f Acts xxvi. 18.
Christ's commission. 153
928.]
existence upon earth: it includes also a concurrence with him in his work, even to the end of the world. What then can be wanting, when the Father and the Son are ever combining their efforts for the salvation of men ? None, however blind, need to despair of beholding the light ; none, however rivetted in bonds, need despair of attaining liberty.]
We cannot close this subject without suggesting some obvious reflections —
1. How deeply are we interested in the covenant of grace !
[It is generally imagined, that the mysterious engagements between the Father and the Son are merely speculative points, in which mankind are little interested. But what can be con- ceived more interesting than the offices of Christ, or his ability to fulfil them? Would persons destitute of vision, or im- prisoned and under sentence of death, feel no interest in the inquiry, whether they could find relief, or whether one profes- sing to offer it were able to fulfil his word ? On the covenant of redemption rests all our hope. If Christ be not authorized to save us, his good-will towards us will be to little purpose : if he be not qualified, his endeavours will be all in vain.
Let us then acquaint ourselves with the proper grounds of our hope. Let us consider the parties contracting, and the engagements which they have respectively entered into ; and let us lay hold on that " covenant as all our salvation and all our desire s."]