[Never did such a plant as this exist before. Never could the highest archangel have conceived it possible that such a plant should exist, unless God had expressly revealed it to him. Nothing in the whole creation has any resemblance to it, or could convey the smallest idea of it. This plant has two perfectly distinct natures, and each of those natures complete in all its attributes : it is both divine and human : it unites in itself the fulness of the Godhead with all the sinless infir- mities of manhood. In short, the Lord Jesus Christ is " God manifest in the flesh :" and a most stupendous mystery it isg ! The manner also in which he assumed our nature was most mysterious. He was not born like other men, but formed in the womb of a pure virgin through the intervention and agency of the Holy Ghost. And in this view, " as a child born, and a son given," it was expressly declared that " his name should be called, Wonderful11."]
2. On account of his transcendent qualities —
[Other trees have one species of fruit, and are useful chiefly, if not entirely, in one view only. But behold, this plant bears twelve manner of fruits ; fruit for every season, whe- ther of prosperity or adversity ; fruit for every occasion that can possibly arise ; and suited to every person who desires to partake of it1. Moreover, the leaves of this tree are as salu- brious as its fruit ; and are an infallible remedy for all the maladies to which our souls are exposed. Its virtues have been proved in every age. Its fame has been spread through- out the whole universe : and the more it has been tried, the more, without one single exception, has it been valued. The tree cast into the waters of Marah, was but a faint shadow of this, which, if properly used, would heal the fountains of ini- quity that diffuse their deadly poison through the whole world k. This branch is of yet further use to build the temple of the Lord1: well then might the prophet say of it, that it should be " excellent and glorious"1."]
3. On account of the estimation in which he is held—
[See in what light he is viewed by his heavenly Father: " Behold my servant whom I uphold ; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth n ! " See what the angels think of him: no sooner did they see him planted in the earth, than they came down from heaven to announce the glad tidings, and ascribed " Glory to God in the highest0." Shall I need to
g 1 Tim. iii. 16. h Isai. ix. 6. > Rev. xxii. 2.
k Exod. xv. 23—25. ] Zech. vi. 12, 13. m Isai. iv. 2.
n Isai. xlii. 1. Prov. viii. 30. Matt. iii. 17- ° Luke ii. 7 — 14.