nominal profession ; be not content with calling Christ, Lord, Lord ; but seek such views of him as shall transform you into his image, and make you meet for his glory.]
Luke ii. 34, 35. Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sivord shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
THE ways of God are deep and unsearchable. The richest displays of his love have been often accom- panied with the heaviest afflictions. The honour bestowed on Paul was the forerunner of great suffer- ings. Thus the Virgin's distinguished privilege of bringing the Son of God into the world was a prelude to the severest anguish to her soul. Even the gift of the Messiah himself, while it saves some, is the occasion of a more dreadful condemnation to others. It was foretold, that, as this was one end, so it would also be an effect, of Christ's mission.
I. The remote ends of Christ's exhibition to the world — God has on the whole consulted his creatures' good as well as his own glory ; but he will not effect the happiness of every individual.
The "fall of many" was one end of Christ's coming —
[His appearance was contrary to the carnal expectations of the Jews. Hence he became a stumbling-block to almost the whole nation. It had been plainly foretold that he should be soa. This prophecy is frequently quoted by the inspired writers1'. Our Lord himself expressly refers to itc. He else- where confirms the declaration contained in itd.]
The coming of Christ actually produced this effect —
[Many took offence at hime. Thus they became more
a Isai. viii. 14, 15. b 1 Cor. i. 23. 1 Pet. ii. 8.
c Matt. xxi. 42, 44. d John ix. 39.
e At his low parentage, his mean appearance, his sublime doc- trines, his high pretensions, &c.
1478.1 Christ's exhibition to the world. 267
wicked than they would otherwise have beenf. Thus also they perished with a more aggravated condemnations.]
But this was by no means the chief end.
The " rising of many" was another end of Christ's coming —
[Jews and Gentiles were in a most deplorable condi- tion : they were guilty, helpless, hopeless. From this state Christ came to raise them. This also was a subject of pro- phecy11; and our Lord often declares that this was the end of his coming': hence he calls himself " the resurrection and the lifeV]
And his coming produced this effect also —
[Few believed on him before his death : but myriads were raised by him soon after. They rose from a death in sin to a life of holiness. This effect is still carrying on in the world. Many from their own experience can say with Hannah1 — ]
These ends, however, were more remote. II. The more immediate end —
The minds of men in reference to God were very little known : neither ceremonial nor moral duties could fully discover their state ; but he came to make it clear how every one was affected towards God.
In order to this he was " a mark or butt of con- tradiction1""—
[No man ever met with so much contradiction as hen. He was contradicted by all persons0, on all occasions1', in the most virulent manner q, in spite of the clearest evidence1,
and in the most solemn seasons s This was frequently
as a sword in Mary's breast.]
By his becoming such a mark, the thoughts of men's hearts were discovered —
[The Pharisees wished to be thought righteous ; the Scribes, the free-thinkers of the day, pleaded for candour ; the
f John xv. 22. s Matt. xi. 22. h Isai. viii. 14.
1 Luke xix. 10. John x. 10. k John xi. 25.
1 1 Sam. ii. 8. m ^fielov arriXtyofxeyoy. n Heb. xii. 3.