Is any one disposed to doubt this truth ? let him tell us then, why God's co-equal, co-eternal Son became incarnate. In vain will he seek for a reason, except (where St. Paul found it) in the lost state of man : "If one died for all, then were all dead"
Know ye then, beloved, every one of you, that you
are, in yourselves, lost and hell-deserving sinners ; and that, if ever you be saved at all, it must be by the blood and righteous- ness of your incarnate God ]
2. Endeavour to obtain clearer views of his cha- racter—
[Though there are days expressly set apart for the con- sideration of the most important things relating to Christ, his formation in the womb, his nativity, his circumcision, his death, his resurrection, and ascension, yet few, very few, are in the habit of directing their attention to him. Instead of " count- ing all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of him," they scarcely think of him at all, or desire to receive any instruction respecting him. Hence that supineness which we
behold on every side But how different would be the
state of men, if they once saw his glory, and had just views of his " grace and truth!" What " a gathering of the people to him " would there then be ! How would they " flock to him
as the doves to their windows ! " O that God would
take the veil from our hearts And that we might so
" behold his glory, as to be changed by it into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of our God ! "]
3. Seek after a closer union with him —
[We may all be said to be united with him in some respect, because " we are partakers of flesh and blood, and he likewise has taken part of the same. But it is not his union with our nature that will save us, but our union with him ; not his being one flesh with us, but our being " one spirit with him." We must exercise faith on him ; and by means of that faith be united to him as branches to the vine, or as members to the
head Without this, we can never hope to receive out
of his fulness those blessings which we stand in need of
Let none of you then imagine that you have any interest in his salvation, till you are brought daily to live a life of faith upon him, and, through the influences of his Spirit, to devote your- selves unreservedly to his service.]
4. Aspire after that which was the great end of his coming —
[We are constantly reminded that he came into the world, that they who believe in him might become sons of God, and