But we have, if possible, yet clearer evidence than they —
[Many of the most remarkable prophecies were either not quite accomplished, or but just accomplished, when our Lord died ; so that the fulfilment of them might then be ques- tioned. But who can doubt whether Daniel's weeks of years* have not expired many centuries ago? Who can doubt whether " the sceptre which was not to depart from Judah, till Shiloh should come^" has not departed long since ? Who can doubt whether the second " Temple to which the Messiah was to come"'," has not long since been demolished ?
But a further and most satisfactory proof of Christ's Messiahship is, that his Gospel was propagated so exten- sively, in so short a time, by such instruments, in opposition to all the prej\idices and passions of mankind ; and that, though every effort of men and devils has been exerted to root out Christianity from the earth, none have ever been able to prevail against the Church.
On these grounds tlien, in addition to the former, ue may say, " We know that the Son of God is come."]
Moreover, we know also,
II. His character —
Many had been the impostors who had laid claim to the title of the Messiah. In opposition to all of these, the Apostle twice designates our Lord as " the true, the only true," Messiah ; and, in the close of the text, specifies more particularly,
1. His personal character —
[Jesus is " the true God." St. John, more than all the Apostles, seems to have been studious to assert the Divinity of Christ. With this he opens his history of Jesus : " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the JVord was God'^." The whole Scriptures also concur to establish this important doctrine, that he who was " a Son born, was also the mighty God*;" that he was Emmanuel, " God with us '^;" even "God manifest in the flesh '^," yea, " God over all blessed forever*"." Nothing can be more clear than this fundamental point. Lidecd the very name, " Son of God," so far from militating against his equality with the
Father,
' Dan. ix. 24. •" Gen. xlix. 10. *= Mai. iii. 1.
* John i. 1. ' Isai. ix. 6. 'Matt. i. 23,
8 1 Tim. iii. l6. "* Rom. ix. 5.
1 194.] THE christian's KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST. 291
Father, was in the apprehension of the Jews themselves an assertion of that equahty'.]
1. His official character —
[Christ, as God, has hfe in himself essentially"^: hut he is also " the Author of eternal salvation" to all his followers ^ As there is no other God but he, so is there no other Saviour"". It was he who purchased eternal life for us : none can claim any part of his glory in this respect : " his life was , the ransom paid for us ;" and by his obedience unto death we obtain righteousness and life. Moreover it is he who imparts eternal life to us : we receive it from him, who " is exalted to give it," and from " whose fulness alone it can be received." As we cannot merit it, so neither can we obtain it, by any efforts of our own : it is purely the gift of God through Christ ° ; and Christ, as " Head over all things to the Church," bestows it on whomsoever he will". We know from Christ's own express assertion (and stronger evidence than that we cannot have), that he is " the way, the truth, and the lifef ;" and to all eternity shall we ascribe our salvation " to him that loved us, and washed us fi'om our sins in his own bloods"]
But it is yet further the privilege of all Christ's followers to know,
in. Their interest in him —
The knowledge which his people have of him is not a mere speculative acquaintance with his history, but an intimate connexion, or rather, a Oneness with him^ They are " in Christ,"