2. How he came into the world —
[He was born like other men ; but he was not begotten in the way of ordinary generation. He was formed by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of a pure virgin, that he might partake of our nature without inheriting our cor- ruption1'. He was born under circumstances of peculiar meanness : his life also was spent in poverty and disgrace : and his death was the most cruel and ignominious that could be inflicted on him. But he foreknew from the beginning all that he should suffer, and yet voluntarily took upon him our nature, that he might both do and suffer all that was appointed of the Father.]
3. For what end he came into the world —
[Never was there such an errand before, or since. His own creatures had ruined themselves ; and he came to save them. Though it was his law that they transgressed, and his authority that they despised, and his yoke that they cast off; yea, though he was the one great object of their contempt and abhorrence, he came to save them. Though he knew that they would murder him as soon as ever he should put himself into their power, yet he came to save them ; to save the vilest of them, not excepting those who unrighteously condemned him, or insultingly mocked him, or cruelly pierced him with the nails and spear. When there was no alternative but either that they must perish, or he come down from heaven to suffer in their stead, down he came upon the wings of love, and " saved them from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for themg." He suffered that they might go free; and died, that they might live for ever.]
That this is " not a cunningly-devised fable/' will appear, if we consider what is said in the text re- specting,
II. The character of this report —
St. Paul, who had examined it thoroughly, declares that it is,
1. Worthy of credit —
[So strange a report as this ought on no account to be believed, unless it can be proved beyond a possibility of doubt. Credulity in a concern that so deeply involves the honour of God and the welfare of all the human race, would be criminal in the highest degree. But we need be under no apprehen- sions respecting the truth of this report. "It is a faithful
f Luke i. 35. s Gal. iii. 13.