as she must be, since she was of the house of David, which was cf that tribe. Gen. xxx. 10; Heb. vii. 14.

2. The place ofhis birth was Bethlehem, according to the prophecy in Micah v. 2, See Matt. ii. 4—6; John vii. 42.

3. The time of his birth was as it was fixed in prophecy; before the seeptre, or civil government departed from Judah. Herod was king in Judea when he was born, before the second temple was destroyed; for he often went into it, and taught in it: and it was at the time pointed at in Daniel's weeks. See Gen. xlix. 10; Mal. iii. 1 ; Hag. ii. 6, 7.9; Dan. ix. 24, &c.

V. The ends of Christ's incarnation are many; there is a cluster of them in the song of the angels. Luke ii. 14.

1. One end of Christ's incarnation was, to shew forth the glory of God in it. The glory of his grace, kindness, and goodness to men, in the mission of his Son in this way; the glory of his faithfulness in fulfilling his promise of it, the glory of his power, in the miraculous production of Christ's human nature; and the glory of his wisdom, in bringing it into the world in such a manner as to be free from sin, and so fit for the purpose for which it was designed.

2. To make peace with God for men on earth; to make reconciliation for sin, was the work appointed him in covenant; and to do this was the reason of his being made in all things like unto his brethren; and make peace by the blood of his cross.

3. That man might receive the fruit of God's good will and favour towards them; even all the blessings of grace.

4. Particularly, Christ became man that he might be our God, our near kinsman, and might appear to

have a right to redeem us; and he was, in the fulness. of time, made of a woman, to redeem men from the law, its curse, and condemnation, &c.

5. Christ became man, that he might be a Mediator between God and men: and, the better to perform several parts of his office as such, he took upon him the nature of man, that he might have something to offer, as a priest to be a sacrifice for sin, and make a satisfaction for it in that nature that sinned; and be a prophet like unto Moses.

CHRIST'S PERSONAL MINISTRY, MIRACLES, AND PROPHETIC OFFICE.

He hath declared him.-John i. 18.

66

THE verse, of which these words are the close, is part of John the Baptist's testimony concerning our Lord; it contains three propositions. "No man hath seen God at any time." Neither Moses, nor any other of the prophets, hath ever seen God as he is. The only begotten Son is in the bosom of his Father." He, as the eternal, only begotten Son of the Father, is, and ever was, intimately present with him; he knows him as he is. "He hath declared him." He, as the great prophet of the church, has made such discoveries of God, as never were made before, and has given us a plain and complete revelation of his mind and will in all things necessary to salvation.

I. Consider Christ's ministry.
1. The contents of his ministry.

The principal subject of it was, that he, the promised Messiah, was come to set up his kingdom in

the world.

"He came preaching the gospel of the

kingdom of God." Mark i. 14, 15.

In pursuit of this design, he set himself against the human traditions, the hypocrisy and superstition; explained and vindicated the moral law. He introduced the everlasting gospel, as the last dispensation. "The Spirit of the Lord," said he, " is upon me." Luke iv. 18. 20, 21.

He declared God's nature and perfections, authority, and government; opened the eternal counsels of his will, for the salvation of lost sinners; displayed the riches of his free and sovereign grace, and proclaimed the wonders of his love. He intimated the saving design of his incarnation, life, obedience, sufferings, and death; cleared up the spiritual nature of his kingdom; insisted on the necessity of regeneration and repentance, &c.

He instructed his disciples in the great doctrines of mortification to this world, and heavenly-mindedness; of self-denial, humility, and Christian contentment; of brotherly love, meekness, patience, &c.

He delivered various prophecies of things to come, concerning his own death, resurrection, ascension to heaven, intercession, and exaltation; the effusion of his Spirit; the publication and success of his gospel among the gentiles; the infidelity and rejection of the Jews; the destruction of Jerusalem; his coming to raise the dead, to judge the world. To all this he added the doctrine of the sacraments, baptism, and the Lord's supper, as the ordinances of his kingdom, the seals of God's covenant, and the visible badges of discipleship to him.

2. The manner of Christ's fulfilling his ministry. Never man spake like this man;" the officers

66

themselves being judges, who came to apprehend him; and the common people could not but observe, that he" taught like one having authority,” and could not but "wonder at the gracious words." He spake with the majesty and authority of a God; not like the prophets of old, with a "Thus saith the Lord," but with a "Verily, verily, I say unto you :" and yet he did not seek his own glory, nor aim at ostentation and applause.

Zeal for the glory of God, detestation of all iniquity, and good-will to men, breathed through all his holy ministrations. With what strength and evidence did he support his Father's honour, and confute the cavils of his adversaries! With what undaunted courage did he reprove the vices and errors of the age, never fearing the faces of men! With what admirable skill did he point or soften his reproofs, as the occasion of things required! With what compassion, condescension, and meekness, did he mourn over his obstinate hearers, and " grieve at the hardness of their hearts!" Matt. xxiii. 37; Mark iii. 5.

How tenderly did he expostulate with sinners of all ranks and degrees! How graciously did he invite and encourage the weary and heavy laden! "The bruised reed he did not break." (Matt. xii. 20.) "He gathered the lambs with his arms." (Isa. xl. 11.) And he had "the tongue of the learned." Isa. l. 4.

"The words he spake were spirit and life.” (John vi. 63.) He could add a quickening virtue and commanding energy to them; hence, when he said to one and another," Follow me," immediately they left all and followed him. And as soon as he spoke to Nathaniel, the woman of Samaria, and Zaccheus; the first said, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God." (John

S

i. 49.) The second said, "Come see a man, which told me all things that ever I did." (chap. iv. 29.) And the third "made haste, and came down." Luke xix. 5, 6.

3. The credentials of Christ's ministry.

Among these we might reckon the exact accomplishment of many remarkable types and ancient prophecies in him; his miraculous birth subsequent to that of John the Baptist, his forerunner; the extraordinary star, that appeared to the wise men of the east; the glory of the Lord, that shone round about the shepherds in the field, and the attestation of the heavenly host concerning him; the visible descent of the Holy Ghost upon him, at his baptism; and his Father's public testimony to him, "This is my beloved Son." Matt. iii. 16, 17.

1. His ministry appeared to be Divine by the miracles he wrought, whilst he was employed in it.

These were innumerable, and of various kinds, and not done in a corner; but before the learned, friends, and enemies. "He healed all manner of diseases, opened the eyes of the blind, unstopped the ears of the deaf, loosed the tongues of the dumb, cured cripples, cast out devils, and raised the dead."

2. At the close, &c. by miracles.

Surprising signs and wonders were seen at his death; all nature seemed to be flung into confusion. (Luke xxiii. 45.) "The sun was darkened at noonday; the vail of the temple was rent in twain." (Matt. xxvii. 45-51.) And he rose again from the dead on the third day, according to his own prediction. (John ii. 20, 21.) This great event was attended with the "resurrection of many bodies of saints," (Matt. xxvji.