Instead of entering at large into the subject of our Saviour's incarnation, we shall confine ourselves strictly to the consideration of the Father's love in the different steps of it, as mentioned in the text. How astonishing is it,
1. That he should desire the restoration of our
souls to life !
[Why should he ever entertain such a thought as this ? Could we profit him at all ? or would he suffer any loss by leaving us to perish ? If he chose to have human beings to behold and participate his glory, could he not in an instant call forth millions into existence, and communicate to them the blessings we had forfeited ? Had he determined that we should never fall, and that he would impose on us a necessity to continue in our primceval state, we should have the less wondered at his love : but that he shovdd foresee our fall, and yet determine to restore us ; that he should behold us actually fallen, and yet pity us ; that, when our first parents fled from him, he should follow them Avith invitations to accept of mercy ; and that, when they shifted off all blame from them- selves, and cast it eventually even upon God himself, he should still retain his desire to save them ; how amazing was this love ! Had he proposed only to remit their punishment, and to blot out their existence, this had been a wonderful act of love : but to desire the restoration of such creatures to his favour, that they might live with him in glory for evermore, is truly such an exhibition of love, as far surpasses the utmost stretch of our conceptions. How differently did he act towards the angels, when they fell ! He never entertained a thought of restoring them'-': but, when ma)i fell, then, as if he himself could not be happy without us, he concerted with his eternal Son to deliver us, and to save us with an everlasting salvation ^]
2. That he should send his only-begotten Son into the world to effect this !
[What ways of accomplishing this object God might have found, it is not for us to say : but it is reasonalde to be- lieve, that nothing less than the incarnation of his only- begotten Son could effect it. And how wonderful it was that he should ever adopt such a measure as that ! that he should spare his only dear Son from his bosom, and send him into ;i world that was already cursed by sin ! that he should send him to assume our very nature ; to be " made in the likeness of sinful flesh ;" yea, to be made in all points like as we arc, sin only excepted ! However he might desire our
recovery, "Heb. ii. 16. "Zech. vi. 13.