was to be insulted by his whole nation ; and his claims of Messiahship were to be made the subject of profane ridicule : he was not only to be rejected, but to be crucified as a malefactor, and to die as one unable to save himself: his enemies were to enjoy a momentary triumph; and his followers to be disappointed, de- jected, and confounded. But, that these things should not be a stumbling-block to any, it was here foretold that all these circumstances should be speedily re- versed. In this view, the oath relates to four things :
1. The exaltation of Christ —
[Christ, as King of kings, and Lord of lords, had a right to universal empire : every creature was bound to render him an unlimited and unreserved obedience. But it was foreseen that, instead of submitting to him, his creatures would rise up in rebellion against him, and cry out with one voice, " We will not have this man to reign over us." Christ, however, laughed them to scorn ; and told them by his prophet, many hundred years before, that every knee should bow to him, and every tongue take an oath of allegiance to him as the only sovereign of the universe ; at least, if they did not do this willingly, as an expression of their unfeigned subjection, they should do it, in effect, against their will, by suffering the punishment due to their rebellion.]
2. The advancement of his kingdom —
[While in the world, he was to be considered as vile, yea, as the vilest of mankind ; and to appear weak as other men : but in due time he was to be regarded, not only as righteous and powerful, but as the only source of righteousness and strength to all his creatures. In themselves, all are " ungodly and without strength :" feeling therefore their guilt and help- lessness they are to " come to him," each saying for himself, and each animating others to say, " In the Lord have I right- eousness and strength."]
3. The confusion of his enemies — [Notwithstanding his unspotted innocence, and unbounded
kindness, he was to be an object of utter abhorrence to his whole nation. But their triumph over him was to be of short duration : the time was soon to come, when they should " see him whom they had pierced, and mourn." Their violence was soon to be recompensed upon their own heads, unless by previous repentance and faith in his blood they obtained the remission of their sins. At all events, they should be " ashamed," whether penitent and pardoned, or impenitent and condemned. They