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of the invisible God," which implies an original, whose nature the image derives; and still further by the phrase applied to the Son-" born before every creature," born in eternity, and of course, emanating from all eternity from the Father.

All these truths defy the comprehension of human reason; bafle and confound her keenest search. But so does the being of an infinite and eternal God-the existence of an uncaused cause of all things. Is it not apparent, that with respect to all doctrines concerning the Divine nature, the simple inquiry is-Are they revealed?

Brethren, we are not to sit in judgment on the human heart. We cannot penetrate the hidden sources of human opinions. Nor can we account for the fact, that individuals, whom charity delights to think are equally honest in their intentions, arrive at different results in their inquiries after truth. I trust you are satisfied

that the doctrines which have now been exhibited to you relative to the person of Jesus Christ, are fairly drawn from the passage of sacred writ which we have been considering. That they are supported by the uniform tenor of the Holy Scriptures, it would not be difficult to shew. That they are the doctrines of the universal Church, will not admit of a doubt'; since they are contained in creeds which that Church has universally received. Make not shipwreck of your

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faith, in doubting or renouncing them. They are "the power of God unto salvation."

Whenever you are tempted to deny the divinity of the Lord who bought you-fortify yourselves by the language of the sublime passage which has been set before you. Is it possible that he can be a creature, can be less than God, who is "the image of the invisible God-first born before every creature by whom all things were created in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers-by whom and for whom all things were created-who is before all things, and by whom all things consist!"

SERMON XVII.

CHRIST-THE MEDIATOR.

1 TIM. ii. 5.

One Mediator between God and man.

THE mediation of Christ is a fundamental doctrine of the Gospel. This divine system conveys no truth intelligibly, if it does not announce that contained in the text-there is "one Mediator between God and man." It is a truth which pervades the Bible from its beginning to its close; from that promise which proclaimed a Mediator between the Sovereign of the universe and his offending creatures in "the seed of the woman ";" to the exhibition of the everlasting chorus of praise, sent forth in the Church triumphant by the spirits that are redeemed, "to him who loved them, who washed them from their sins in his own blood, and made them kings and priests unto God"."

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We see this truth in the blood of the atoning victim under the Jewish law, in the sprinkling of this blood on the mercy-seat by the High Priest to make expiation. We see the Mediator, in him whom the Prophet represented as beholding that "there was no man, there was no man, and wondering that there was no intercessor," and then bringing salvation by his own arm °. We see this mediation set forth in the humiliation, the sufferings, the death of the only-begotten of the Father, in the blood which he shed upon the cross; and we hear it solemnly announced in the declaration that he ascended into heaven, and there "ever liveth to make intercession for us."

In calling your attention then to the mediation of Christ, I present to you a fundamental doctrine of the Gospel.-" There is one Mediator between God and man," and "no man cometh unto the Father but by him."

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I. The character of the Mediator.

My brethren-If you consult your own hearts, conscience will tell you that you "have done the things which you ought not to have done, and left undone the things which you ought to have done." Alas! innumerable infirmities and sorrows add their weight to the burden of our transgressions. In this state of guilt and of sin, it is impossible that we should enjoy the favour of that holy Being, who is " " of purer eyes than to behold iniquity," and "in whose sight the heavens are not clean ". We need, therefore, a Mediator, who in our own nature may interpose between us and the holiness of God, so that we may approach him and live; one, who suffering in the nature which had offended, may reconcile that nature unto God; and who, sustaining our infirmities and sorrows, will feel for us that sympathy which a common nature only can excite; and whose intercession for us will be animated by a feeling for our infirmities.

But when we look to the throne of God, and behold his indignation roused against our sins ; when even a distant view of the Divine Majesty and power confounds and overwhelms us-we eagerly inquire, What can appease that indig

f Hab. i. 13.

Job xv. 15.

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