cease from filling up the measure of his sufferings, till he could say, " It is finished."
This then is the fact affirmed by the Apostle ; a fact, which we should have considered as absolutely incredible, if God himself had not plainly declared it, and confirmed his testimony by the most indubitable evidence. We are now therefore warranted to affirm, that " it is a faithful saying, and worthy of all accep- tation." And though the frequency with which it is mentioned, causes it in too many instances to be heard without any emotion, sure we are, that the more it is contemplated, the more it will fill us with wonder and amazement. If we would but consider that the God of heaven and earth assumed our sinful nature, and died the accursed death of the cross, in order to redeem us from death and hell ; if we would but suffer this thought fully to occupy our minds, methinks we should become like those in heaven, who cease not day and night to make it the grand subject of their united praises.
II. The more immediate view with which the Apostle introduced the subject of our Lord's humiliation, to which we also wish at this time to draw your attention, was, that he might set it before the Philippians as a pattern to be imitated.
It is not possible for us in all respects to imitate this bright original, since we have no glory which we can lay aside ; nor is it optional with us whether we will become subject to the law or not. But, though we cannot perform the same act that Christ did, we may " have the same mind which was in him :" and beyond all doubt we ought to resemble him in these two particulars ; in feeling a tender regard for the welfare of metis souls: and in being ready to do or suffer any thing for their good.
1. We should feel a tender regard for the welfare of mens souls. When, in consequence of the fall of man, there remained no possibility of his restoration to God's favour and image, by any thing which he
2145.1 Christ's humiliation. o~>
could either devise or execute, this blessed and ador- able Saviour looked upon us with pity : his bowels yearned over us ; and though he had not interested himself on behalf of the angels that sinned, yet, he determined to interpose for us, and by a marvellous effort of his grace to save our souls alive. Let me ask then, what is now the state of the heathen world ? Is it not that very state to which the whole race of man was reduced by the transgression of Adam, and by their own personal iniquities ? They are under a sentence of death and condemnation. They know of no way of reconciliation with God. Being without Christ, they are altogether without hope. And though we will not presume to say that none of them are saved ; yet we must affirm that their condition is most pitiable, and that the notions which obtain in the world respecting the extension of God's mercy to them, are awfully erroneous. For if they can be saved without Christ, why could not we ? And then why did Christ ever come into the world ? If it bo said, that Christ has purchased mercy for them though they knew him not, then we ask, Why did the Apostles go forth to preach to the Gentile world? Why did they submit to such numberless hardships and labours at the peril of their lives, to bring the heathen into the fold of Christ, if they thought that they could attain salvation in their present state, or that any considerable number of them would be saved ? The Apostles knew little of that which we falsely term, charity. They believed that "there was no other name given among men whereby we must be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ :" and therefore they felt towards the heathen world as they would have done towards a crew of mariners perishing in the ocean : they went forth at the peril of their own lives, willing to endure any thing them- selves, if they might but succeed in saving some of their fellow-creatures. Ought not we then in like manner to compassionate the heathen world ? Should not " our head be waters, and our eyes a fountain of tears, to run down day and night" for their perishing