which had been devoted to the executing of his will, and to the promotion of his glory*. He had glorified him especially in his doctrine. Never once had he sought his own glory, but, on all occasions, the glory of Him who sent himb: and when he testified of himself, it was only as the person bearing a com- mission from the Father, and as sent by him to open for men a way of access to him as a reconciled Godc. He had glorified him no less by his miracles : for though he wrought them by his own power, yet he always ascribed them to his Father, who had concurred with him in these exercises of omnipotence*1; and thus he had constrained the beholders to acknowledge the Father in theme. But, above all, he had in purpose, though not in act, glorified his Father in his death : for in death he not only displayed the power of the Father, who upheld him under all his trials, but reflected honour on all the perfections of the Deity ; causing them all to shine forth in united and harmonious splendour, and every attribute to appear more glorious than it could possibly have done in any other way. Hence, on the near approach of this great event, the Lord Jesus said, " Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify himf."]
2. That " he had finished the work which God had given him to do " —
[This was a work which none but an incarnate God could ever have effected. For, first of all, he was to expiate the sins of a ruined world. This was to be done by offering himself a sacrifice for sin. And though this was not literally fulfilled in all its extent, till he died upon the cross, yet, in mind and in- tention, it was already done ; and there were but a few hours to elapse before the mighty debt would be discharged, even to the uttermost farthing : so that justice itself would have nothing further to require of those who should plead the pay- ment made by Him, as their Surety.
Next, he was perfectly to fulfil the laio of God ; so that all who should trust in him might have a perfect righteousness made over to them for their justification before God. And this also he did : for, though he was in circumstances of trial which far exceeded any that ever were sustained by mortal man, he never, either in word or thought, transgressed any one command : and all, not excepting even his bitterest enemies, were constrained to acknowledge that they could find no fault in him.
a John iv. 34. b John vii. 16. and xiv. 24. c John xiv. 6.
d John v. 36. e John xiv. 10. with Matt. ix. 8.
f John xiii. 31, 32.