unto us. Besides, his mean appearance was to the nation at large a matter of offence, which they knew not how to reconcile with their expectations: whereas to us, who are able to compare it with the prophecies respecting him, it is a confirmation rather than a stumbling-block, a proof of his Messiahship rather than a ground of doubt and suspicion. The people at large were led by their superiors, and had but little opportunity of judging for themselves ; but we can dispassionately view every part of Sacred Writ, and calmly judge between the prophecies and events. Moreover, they were apprehensive that, by receiving Jesus, they should be led to sacrifice their allegiance to Moses: but we profess not only to believe in Moses, but to have received the Lord Jesus also, and to be his disciples. We therefore, in denying the Lord Jesus, are more criminal than they ; and, in preferring every base lust before him, are guilty of a conduct which calls for the deepest humiliation and contrition. To every one of you, therefore, I say, with the Apostle, " Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep : let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into heaviness : humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, if ever you would that he should lift you upm."]
2. " Be converted" —
[Your sentiments and conduct respecting the Lord Jesus need to be changed, as much as ever those of the Jews did, whom the Apostle addressed. Professedly, indeed, you regard him as your Saviour ; but in practice you " deny him," even as they did, and postpone his interests to those of the most depraved competitor. Let an entire change, then, be wrought in you, in relation to him. Confess him now ; yea, confess him openly before the whole world ; and receive him in that entire character which he bears in the Sacred Writings. Receive him as your Prophet, Priest, and King ; and look for every thing
from him, as your only Lord and Saviour As for every
person, and every thing, that would stand in competition with Him, let them all be sacrificed, without hesitation or exception; that He alone may live in your hearts, and be glorified in your lives. Bring forth your lusts, " the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life," and crucify them all : let " the right hand be cut off, and the right eye be plucked out:" plead not for any one of them ; nor listen to a plea, by whom- soever it may be preferred. Let the Lord Jesus Christ be to you your one Friend, your only Saviour, your " all in all."]
3. Expect from Christ all that your necessities can require —
111 Jam. iv. 9, 10.