wicked as much as in the good ; and denied that he would ever put any difference between them; "Where," said they, "is the God of Judgmentb?" It was in answer to that question that the Lord Jesus Christ inspired the prophet to announce his advent in the flesh, and to declare the discriminating effects that should be produced by it.
Let us notice what he says respecting,
I. Our Lord's advent —
Jesus is here described under the most august titles —
[He is " the Lord," the supreme Ruler and Governor of heaven and earth, " the Lord of allc," even " Lord of lords, and King of kings4." Yet, notwithstanding his equality with the Father as God, he " assumes the form of a servant, and comes as " the Messenger of the covenant." He made a cove- nant with the Father for us, and himself became " the surety of that covenante," pledging himself to God, that our part should be performed, and to us also, that God's part should be fulfilled. This covenant he confirmed and ratified with his own blood f; and he " calls us into the bonds of it," assuring us, that it is " ordered in all things and sure," and that all the blessings of it shall be imparted to those who believe in him. In this office he was " an object of desire and delight" long before he came into the world : He was " the desire of all nationsg:" not indeed that all actually sought and delighted in him ; but he was the joy of all that knew him ; they who saw his day, though at ever so great a distance, rejoiced in ith; and if all the earth had known his office and character, they would have been like-minded with those, who " waited for him as the consolation of Israel," and " looked for re- demption in Jerusalem1."]
The circumstances of his advent also are minutely foretold —
[He was to be preceded by a herald, or harbinger, who was to announce his speedy approach, and " to prepare" the minds of men for his reception. This messenger was John, who had the distinguished honour of pointing him out as that very " Lamb of God, who should take away the sin of the world k."
b Mai. ii. 17. c Acts x. 36. d Rev. xvii. 14.
e Heb. vii. 22. and viii. 6. f Luke xxii. 20. 1 Cor. xi. 25.
s Hagg. ii. 7. h John viii. 56. " Luke ii. 25, 38.
k John i. 23, 29.