We are every One, as an unclean Thing *. Our very Nature is contaminated. Even Sanctification, though it deftroys the reigning, does not wholly fuperfede the polluting Power of Iniquity. So that whatever Graces We exercife, whatever Duties We perform, (like the Rays of Light tranfmitted through coloured Glafs, or like generous Wine streaming from a defiled Cafk) they receive fome improper Tinge, or contract fome debasing Taint. But CHRIST was intirely free from this innate Contagion. He had no erroneous Apprehenfions in his Mind, no corrupt Bias upon his Will, nor any irregular Concupifcence in his Affections.

Being thus perfectly undefiled, He did no Sin, neither was Guile found in his Mouth†. All his Thoughts were innocent, all his Words were irreproachable, and every Action blameless. The most accomplished among the Children of Men, when furprised in fome unguarded Moment, or affaulted on fome weak Side, have been betrayed into Error, or hurried into Sin. Even Mofes fpake unadvisedly with his Lips; and Aaron, the Saint of the LORD, warped to idolatrous Practices. They were like fome stagnating Lake; in which, the Dregs being fubfided, the Waters appear clean; but, when stirred by Temptation, or agitated

*Ifaiah Ixiv. 6.

† 1 Pet. ii, 22;

agitated by Affliction, the Sediment rises, and the Pool is difcoloured. Whereas, CHRIST may be compared to a Fountain, that is all Transparency, and pure to the very Bottom: which, however fhaken, however disturbed, is nothing but fluid Crystal; permanently and invariably clear.

It was a small Thing for the bleffed JESUS, to have no depraved Propensity; He was born in a State of confummate Rectitude, and adorned with all the Beauties of Holinefs. HOLINESS TO THE LORD was infcribed, not on the Mitre, but on the Heart of our great HIGH-PRIEST. Therefore He is ftyled by the Angelic Harbinger of his Birth, THAT HOLY THING*-In the Prophecy of Zechariah, the Dignity of our REDEEMER's Nature, and the Perfection of his Obedience, are difplayed by the Similitude of a Stone †, adorned with exquifite Engraving, Wrought,

not

*Luke i. 35.-Which is fpoken, in Contradiftinction to the State of all other Births; and implies the univerfal Prevalence of original Corruption, this one Inftance only excepted. For, if other Infants were holy at their firft Formation, and made after the Image of GOD, this Remark had been trivial and impertinent, if not droll and burlefque; like faying with great Solemnity, "The Child shall have a Mouth "and a Head; aye, and Eyes in the one, and Lips to the << other."

+ Zechar, iii. 9, 10. Behold the Stone that I have laid before Jofhua: upon one Stone fhall be feven Eyes; behold! I will engrave the Graving thereof, faith the LORD of Hofts, and I will remove the Iniquity of that Land in one Day.

not by Bezaleel or Aboliab, though divinely infpired Artists, but by the Finger of JEHOVAH Himfelf; and more highly finished, than it is poffible for human Skill to equal, or human Thought to conceive.

From

The whole Tenour of our LORD's Conduct, was a living Exemplification of Piety and Morality, in their most extensive Branches, and most amiable Forms. Saints of the highest Attainments, have fallen short of the Glory of GOD; have been far from reaching the exalted Standard of his Precepts. But CHRIST failed in no Point, came fhort in no Degree. -We formerly obferved the great Sublimity, and vaft Extent of the divine Law. whence appears the extreme Difficulty, nay the utter Impoffibility of our Juftification, on Account of any Duties performed by Ourfelves. How fhould We rejoice then to contemplate the vicarious Righteousness of our condefcending and adorable SURETY? As the Mercy-feat was exactly commensurate to the Dimensions of the Ark; fo did our LORD's Obedience moft fully quadrate with all and every Demand of the divine Law. It flowed from thofe noble Principles, fupreme Love to GOD, and unfeigned Affection to Mankind.

From those two capital Sources, let Us trace our LORD's Obedience, through fome little Part

Part of its illustrious Progress.—His Delight. in GOD was confpicuous, even from his early Years. The facred Solemnities of the Sanctuary, were more engaging to his youthful Mind, than all the Entertainments of a Festival.-When He entered upon his Ministry, whole Nights were not too long for his copious Devotions. The lonely Retirements of the Defart, as affording Opportunity for undifturbed Communion with GOD, were more defirable to CHRIST, than the Applaufes of an admiring World.

So ceafelefs and tranfcendent was his Love to GOD, that He never fought any feparate Pleasure of his own; but always did those Things, which were pleasing in his FATHER's Sight. His own Will was intirely absorpt in the Will of the MOST HIGH; and it was bis Meat and Drink, refreshing and delightful as the richest Food, or as royal Dainties, to finish the Work that was given Him to do*.

So intirely devoted to the Honour of GOD, that a Zeal for his House, and for the Purity of his Ordinances, is represented by the evangelical Historian, as eating Him up. Like a heavenly Flame, glowing in his Breaft, it fometimes fired Him with a graceful Indignation; fometimes melted Him into godly Sorrow; and, by exerting itself in a Variety

riety of vigorous Efforts, confumed his vital Spirits.

So active and unremitted was the Obedience of the bleffed JESUS, that the Sun did not enter upon his Race with a more constant Affiduity, nor dispatch his Business with greater Expedition and fure I am, that radiant Luminary never dispensed Beams, half so bright, or a thousandth Part fo beneficial.-Short was his Span, but how grand and extensive were his Services. So grand, that they bring more Glory to GOD, than all the Adminiftrations of Providence, and all the Phanomena of Nature. So extenfive, that they fpread, in their gracious Efficacy, to the Ends of the Earth, and to the clofing Period of Time. Nay, they will diffuse their blessed Influence even to the celeftial World, and have no other Limits of their Duration than the Ages of Eternity.

Most affectionately concerned for the Welfare of Mankind, He spent his Strength, not barely in relieving them, when his Aid was implored; but in feeking the Afflicted, and offering his Affistance. With great Fatigue *

He

* JESUS being weary with his Journey, exaDelo 7ws. John iv. 6.-ws is thus explained by a Greek Commentatoг, anλws, xaι ws ETUXE. Our LORD fat down, without Ceremony and without Complaint, even on the rough Place: contented to use it, juft as He found it; neither defiring a fofter Seat, nor wishing for any better Accommodation.—I

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