days before his crucifixion, and underwent the strictest exa- mination at di BR trent tribunals, and was declared innocent, by Pilate his judge, by his fellow-sufferer on the cross, by the Centurion who presided at his execution: all his enemies thus unwittingly attesting, that he was indeed "a Lamb without blemish and without spotf," and that, being "just himself," he was every way fit to "suffer in the place of us the unjust8."
In another view too his spotless character subserves this meat end of his mission : for, " being without guile himself, he has set us a perfect example:" and the best possible way of avoiding sin is, to imitate his example, and to " tread in his
Steps'1."]
This was known and acknowledged through the whole Christian world —
[No one who believed in Christ was ignorant of the end for which he had come into the world. Hence the Apostle could appeal to all without exception, and could say, " Ye knoio that he was manifested to take away our sins." The whole Scriptures bore testimony to this. All the types of the Mosaic law shadowed it forth. All the prophecies from the beginning of the world attested it. It was in this way that " the Seed of the woman was to bruise the serpent's head." " To finish transgression, to make an end of sin," and to establish uni- versal righteousness, this was to be the work which should distinguish his reign : " A sceptre of righteousness was to be the sceptre of his kingdom." The very name that was given to him imported this : " he was called Jesus, because he was to save his people from their sins."]
This truth being acknowledged by all at this time, no less than in the apostolic age, we shall make the same appeal to you ; and,
II. Found upon it a particular address —
As Christians you all "know" that Christ came to deliver you from sin : but do you all consider it, as you ought ?
1. Ye who live in wilful and habitual sin —
[Do you consider what has been done to rescue you from your bondage? Do you consider that the Son of the living God, " Jehovah's fellow," the Creator of the universe, has come down from heaven, and assumed your nature, and died upon the cross for your redemption? Ask yourselves then, whether he would have done this, if sin had been so small an
f 1 Pet. i. 19. e 1 Pet. iii. 18. h 1 Pet. ii. 21, 22.