types of every description ; and there was not one which had not its accomplishment in him : view the prophecies ; all of which were fulfilled in him : and at the same time all the curses denounced by the moral law are turned into blessings, to all them who embrace his Gospel. Hence he is justly said to be "full of grace and truth."
But we may not improperly include under these words the personal character of Christ. Whilst all his instructions exactly accorded with the mind and will of God, his life was wholly without spot or blemish : he was " full of truth ;" and " in him was no sin," " no guile" whatever.
As to the " grace" that was in him, listen only to any of his discourses ; hear his gracious invitations even to the chief of sinners ; see him conversing with publicans and harlots, and allowing them to have the freest access to him ; behold him " going about doing good," healing all who came to him, even hundreds and thousands in a day, and proclaiming to all of them the glad tidings of a free and full salvation : and then say whether he was not also full of grace, even like an over- flowing fountain, " out of whose fulness all that believed on him might receive ? "
If we needed any express testimony respecting his character, we have it from those " whose ears heard, whose eyes saw, and whose hands handled this Word of life :" " they beheld his glory, as the glory of the only-begotten of the Father :" they beheld it in his miracles (" by which he manifested forth his glory ") ; they beheld it in his transfiguration ; in the audi- ble attestations which he repeatedly received from heaven ; in the perfections of wisdom, power, holiness, &c. which he dis- played ; and finally in his resurrection, and glorious ascension to the light hand of God : they beheld him in all these things, shining as " the brightness of his Father's glory, and the ex- press image of his person :" veiled as his Godhead was from common eyes, they beheld in him a radiance, altogether suited to his august character.]
That we may not entertain these thoughts in a merely speculative manner, we would entreat you to " suffer a word of exhortation" —
1. Inquire wherefore Christ became incarnate —
[When we hear of such an astonishing event, methinks we should naturally inquire into the reasons of it. Surely there was some occasion for it ; nay, we cannot conceive that it should take place without some urgent necessity. What then was that necessity? It was this. The whole human race were become guilty before God, and were no more able to restore themselves to the Divine favour than the fallen angels were.