2. The virtue of his sacrifice —
[On the dignity of his person depends the whole value of his atonement. The Apostle justly observes, that " it is not possible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take away sin :" and the same observation may with justice be applied to every creature, however exalted. But when we are assured that it was " God who was manifest in the flesh c," that it was " the Lord of glory that was crucifiedd," and that it was " God who purchased the Church with his own blood e," we no longer hesitate to declare that his death was " a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world1'." He was, it is true, " in the form of a servant;
8 1 John v. 20. * Isai. ix. 6. u Tit. ii. 13.
x Rom. ix. 5. y Heb. i. 3^ z Col. ii. 9.
a John xiv. 7 — 11. b John v. 23. c 1 Tim. iii. 16.
d 1 Cor. ii. 8. e Acts xx. 28.
{ The Communion Service: and 1 John ii. 2.
but he was also in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with Godg;" and therefore we may be assured that " his blood will cleanse us from all sinh." The ransom he has paid for us, is fully equal to the redemption of a ruined world: and the righteousness which he has wrought out for us by his obedience unto death, is all that is wanted for the justification of those who trust in it. The very name given him by the prophet declares this ; for we are taught to " call him, Jehovah our Righteousness1." Here then " the weary and heavy-laden may find rest unto their souls" ]
3. The sufficiency of his grace —
[If Jesus were only a creature, those who trust in him might be addressed like the worshippers of Baal, " Cry aloud, for he is a god: either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is on a journey ; or perad venture he sleepeth, and must be awakedV He could not attend to the concerns of the whole universe at once ; and therefore could not be a suitable object of our trust and confidence. But he is infinitely above all creatures, being " King of kings, and Lord of lords1." He could truly say to Paul, and to every suppliant in the universe, " My grace is sufficient for thee." Let not any one then despond, as though his corruptions were irremediable, or his enemies invincible ; for " God hath laid help for us upon One that is mighty"1:" and the weakest of the human race that relies on him, may confidently say, " In the Lord have I right- eousness and strength":" "The Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation0:" " The Lord is my shepherd; therefore can I lack nothingp."]
4. The excellency of his salvation —
[If we consider the price that has been paid, we may judge of the value of that redemption which has been purchased for us. Even in relation to the present life, we are told that " eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, the things which God hath prepared for them that love himq." Under whatever figure they are spoken of, they are represented as exceeding all human apprehension : " the gift of them is unspeakable1:" " the riches of them un- searchable8:" the peace that is enjoyed by means of them, passeth understanding1;" and " the joy which they produce, is unspeakable and glorified" :" the love that bestowed them has
s Phil. ii. 6 — 8. h 1 John i. 7. ' Jer. xxxiii. 16.
k 1 Kings xviii. 27. 1 Rev. xix. 1G. m Ps. Ixxxix. 19.
n Isai. xlv. 24. ° Isai. xii. 2. P Ps. xxiii. 1.