Scripture, however, more frequently distinguishes what is peculiar to his human nature. Acts ii. 30. " of the fruit of the loins of David, according to the flesh." See also Rom. ix. 5. 1 Pet. iii. 18. " being put to death in the flesh," that is to say, being affected chiefly and most visibly in his human nature. This text will be adverted to again in the sixteenth chapter.

The incarnation of Christ consists of two parts; his conception and his nativity. Of his conception the efficient cause was the Holy Spirit. Matt. i. 20. "that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost." Luke i. 35. " the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee;" by which words I am inclined to understand the power and spirit of the Father nimself, as has been shown before; according to Psal. xl. 6, 7. compared with Heb. x. 5, 6. "a body hast thou prepared

me."

The object of this miraculous conception was to obviate the contamination consequent upon the sin of Adam. Heb. vii. 26." such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, indefiled, separate from sinners."

The nativity of Christ is predicted by all the prophets, and more particularly in the following passages. Mich. v. 2. "thou Bethlehem Ephratah.... out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel." Isai. vii. 14.

behold, a virgin shall conceive." xi. 1. "there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse." The history of the nativity is given Matt. i. 18-25. Luke i. 42. "blessed is the fruit of thy womb." ii. 6, 7. "the days were accomplished that she should be delivered." v. 22. "when the days of her purification were accomplished."

That the Messiah is already come is proved, in contradiction to the belief of the Jews, by the following arguments. First, the cities of Bethlehem and Nazareth, (where according to prophecy Christ was to be born and educated, Mic. v. 2. Zech. vi. 12. "behold the man whose name is (Nezer, ro the Branch,") are no longer in existence. Secondly, it was predicted that his advent should take place while the second temple and the Jewish government were yet in being. Hag. ii. 7. 9. "I will fill this house with glory: the glory of this See pp. 153 and 163.

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latter house shall be greater than of the former." Dan. ix. 24. seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression... and to anoint the most Holy." v. 26. "after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off.... and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city." v. 27. "he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease." Zech. ix. 9." rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold thy king cometh unto thee." Gen. xlix. 10. "the sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come," by which name the three most ancient Jewish commentators, Onkelos, Jonathan, and Hierosolymitanus, understood the Messiah." Dan. ii. 44. "in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom." Lastly, because the Gentiles have long since put away the worship of other gods and embraced the faith of Christ, which event, according to the prophecies, was not to take place till after his coming. Gen. xlix. 10. unto him shall the gathering of the people be." Isai. ii. 2. "it shall come to pass in the last days.... that all nations shall flow unto it." See also Mic. iv. 1. Hag. ii. 6. "yet once, it is a little while.... and I will shake all nations." Mal. iii. 1. “the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple."

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CHAP. XV.-OF THE OFFICE OF THE MEDIATOR AND of HIS THREEFOLD FUNCTIONS.

THE nature of Christ the Mediator, human as well as divine, has been already defined.

THE MEDIATORIAL OFFICE of Christ is that whereby, AT THE SPECIAL APPOINTMENT OF GOD THE FATHER, HE VOLUNTARILY PERFORMED, AND CONTINUES TO PERFORM, ON BEHALF OF MAN, WHATEVER IS REQUISITE FOR OBTAINING RECONCILIATION WITH GOD, AND ETERNAL SALVATION."

• See Poole's Synopsis in loc. where, besides the authorities mentioned by Milton, other Jewish commentators are cited as admitting the same interpretation of the passage.

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Men hereafter may discern

From what consummate virtue I have chose

This perfect man, by merit call'd my Son,

To earn salvation for the sons of men.

Paradise Regained, II. 164.

standing, that they might understand the Scriptures." Acts xvi. 14. "the Lord opened the heart of Lydia, that she attended unto the things that were spoken of Paul." John viii. 12. "I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Christ's prophetical functions began with the creation of the world, and will continue till the end of all things. 1 Pet. i. 10, 11. "the spirit of Christ which was in them.... when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ," &c. iii. 19. "by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.' John i. 10. "he was in the world.... and the world knew him not." Matt. xxviii. 19, 20. " go ye therefore and teach all nations.... and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Acts i. 3. "to whom also he showed himself alive after his passion. speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." 2 Cor. xiii. 3. "since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me."

CHRIST'S SACERDOTAL FUNCTION is that whereby HE ONCE OFFERED HIMSELF TO GOD THE FATHER AS A SACRIFICE FOR SINNERS, AND HAS ALWAYS MADE, AND STILL CONTINUES TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR US.

CHRIST'S SACERDOTAL FUNCTION. Psal. cx. 4. "thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." Zech. vi. 13. "he shall be a priest upon his throne." Heb. v. 10. "called of God an high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” See also vii. 17, 20, 21.

ONCE OFFERED; virtually, and as regarded the efficacy of his sacrifice, from the foundation of the world, as above stated; Rev. xiii. 8. actually, in the fulness of time, and that once for all, Heb. vii. 27. ix. 25, 26, 28. "Christ was once offered." x. 10, 12, 14. "by one offering." 1 Pet. iii. 18. "Christ hath once suffered for sins."

HIMSELF AS A SACRIFICE. Isai. liii. 10. "when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin." Psal. xl. 6, 7. "burntoffering and sin-offering hast thou not required: then said I, Lo, I come." Eph. v. 2. "Christ hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God." Heb. ix. 14. " who through the eternal Spirit offered himself." Being God-man he offered himself in that capacity; "he who thought it not robbery to be equal with God, made himself of no reputation, &c. Philipp. ii. 6, 7. He offered himself, however, more particularly in his human nature, as many passages of Scrip

ture expressly indicate.

came....

Matt. xx. 28. "the Son of man

to give his life a ransom for many." Acts xx. 28. "the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Col. i. 20. " through the blood of his cross." v. 22. "in the body of his flesh through death." Heb. ix. 12. "by his own blood he entered in." x. 10. "through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ." 1 Pet. ii. 24. "who his own `self bare our sins in his own body on the tree." iv. 1. "forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh." 1 John iv. 10. "he sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Rom. iii. 25. "whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness."

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FOR SINNERS. Isai. liii. 12. "he bare the sin of many." 2 Cor. v. 21. "he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin." Gal. iii. 13. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Heb. ix. 28. "Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many." 1 Pet. ii. 24. "who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree." iii. 18. "he hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust." 1 John ii. 2.." he is the propitiation for our sins." HAS ALWAYS MADE INTERCESSION. Isai. liii. 12. "he made intercession for the transgressors." Jer. xxx. 21. “I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me; for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me?" John xiv. 6, 13. "no man cometh unto the Father but by me. xvii. 9. "I pray for them." Rom. viii. 24. "who maketh intercession for us.' Heb. vii. 25. "he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” viii. 1, 2. “who is set on the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary." He makes intercession, first, by appearing in the presence of God for us.' 1 John ii. 1. “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Secondly, by rendering our prayers agreeable to God. John xiv. 13. "whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do." As to the expressions, Rom. viii. 26. 27. "the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us,” and, “he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God," the preceding words of the same verse show in what sense they are to be understood; "the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities ;" and Gal. iv. 6. "God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father;" that

ન તો કરો જ ગામમાં ન કર

Heb. ix. 24.

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is, encouraging and persuading us to address God as Father through faith. This is easily distinguished from the intercession which Christ makes for us in his sacerdotal capacity.

THE KINGLY FUNCTION of Christ is that whereby BEING MADE KING BY GOD THE FATHER, HE GOVERNS AND PRESERVES, CHIEFLY BY AN INWARD LAW AND SPIRITUAL POWER, THE CHURCH WHICH HE HAS PURCHASED FOR HIMSELF, and CONQUERS AND SUBDUES ITS ENEMIES.

MADE KING BY GOD THE FATHER. Psal. ii. 6. "I have set my King upon my holy hill." cx. 1. compared with Matt. xxii. 44. "the Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand." Ezek. xxxvii. 25. “ my servant David shall be their prince for ever." Dan. ii. 44. "the God of heaven shall set up a kingdom." vii. 14. "there was given him dominion.” Matt. xi. 27. "all things are delivered unto me of xxviii. 18. "all power is given unto me." Father." my Luke i. 32. "the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end." Eph. i. 20-22. “when he set him at his own right hand.. far above all principality-" Rev. i. 5. "prince of the kings of the earth.” xix. 16. "King of kings.'

HIS CHURCH. Psal. ii. 6. " yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion." Matt. ii. 5, 6. " thus it is written by the prophet.... out of thee shall come a governor, that shall rule my people Israel." Luke i. 33. "he shall reign over the house of Jacob." Eph. i.22. "who gave him to be the head over all things, to the church." Col. i. 18. "he is the head of the body, the church."

CHIEFLY BY AN INWARD LAW. Jer. xxxi. 31, 32. compared with Heb. viii. 8. and x. 16. "this is the covenant that I will make with them.... I will put my laws into their hearts." Luke xvii. 21. "behold the kingdom of God is within you." John iv. 23, 24. "in spirit and in truth.” xviii. 36. "my kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight.' Hence the law of the kingdom, the gift of the Spirit, was given at Jerusalem on the fiftieth day from the crucifixion, as the Mosaic law was given on the fiftieth day from the passover in Mount Sinai, Acts ii. 1. in sign that the old law was superseded by the new, the law of bondage and of the flesh by the law of the Spirit and of freedom. Rom. xiv. 17. "the king