together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are in earth, even in Him.

It is clear, I think, then, that in every point of view the coming reign of the Messiah wears the aspect of triumph. It will be no progress of a monarch through dominions which have never known disturbance, but the establishment of the sway of peace and righteousness over a world of rebels and a universe of sin. Every circumstance in its condition has been a hindrance to the purpose determined on; every pulse that has beat throughout its millions of reasonable beings, has been opposed to the end in view. There were no favourable circumstances of tendency in a right direction, or disposition to co-operate with the effort for our own regeneration. When we were enemies, we were reconciled: when we were yet without strength, and sinners, Mercy's stupendous design was carried out. At every step there was a struggle; at every advance, a barrier to be broken down. In every heart the same omnipotence to be exerted; for the conversion of one soul makes that of another not a whit easier. One by one had all the elect to be gathered: step by step had the righteousness of God to be manifested, up to its final victory over sin and transgression: and even the material

world itself had to be replaced in a condition of reconciliation.

II. And how was all this to be accomplished? how so mighty a victory to be gained? This introduces us to the second leading division of our subject.

To Him that is almighty, what could prove impracticable or impossible? True: such a question is easily asked, and easily answered. But there is a mighty depth about its conditions, which, while it leaves the solution of it just the same, yields for the contemplation of the adoring creature an unsearchable fulness of the Divine character, and forms that detailed manifestation of Himself in which it is the purpose of Jehovah to be for ever glorified. Physical power might have been exerted in a moment to any extent: but physical power would not do here. That mighty power which formed the mind and intelligence of man, and gave him the wonderful and delicate play of the finest affections, might instantly have been brought to bear on his condition; but this again was not equal to the task of removing sin and purging away iniquity.

The highest wisdom, too, and the deepest skill were inadequate of themselves for the great emergency. All these were needed; and all these were exercised; but all these were not sufficient.

Moral principles were involved on both sides, on the side of the sinner and on the side of God; and neither the character of the one nor the confidence of the other could be secured, unless those principles were maintained without the shadow of a compromise or the taint of an aspersion.

This is easily seen. The state of the world was and is one of deep misery and suffering; and misrepresenting God in innumerable ways. All this is the natural and inevitable result of sin; its just retribution, its certain and eternal consequence. To cut this short is impossible; the measure of retribution is here the measure of glory; as transgression is relieved from its penalty, the law loses in its majesty. While, therefore, there is no moral power to remit the sin, no physical power can terminate the punishment. There was, however, one alternative, which the facts of the case teach us, or it had not entered into the heart of man to conceive it; can the suffering be transferred ?-can it be condensed into a limited time ?-can it then be endured? And what is the wondrous answer to all these questions? The reply is found not any longer in what is promised and purposed, but in what is done and finished.

God provided Himself a lamb for a burnt

offering; and the Lord laid upon Him the iniquity of us all;—and He bare our sins in His own body on the tree;-and He said, "It is finished; and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost." Here was substitution, in which eternal righteousness concurred at once; here was a propitiation of infinite dignity and infinite preciousness; here was suffering, though for a short season, gathering into itself the agonies of the creature's endless misery; here was the cross endured and the shame despised; here was sin put away and salvation effected. Yes, this was real suffering, this was travail of the soul: and while the agony and bloody sweat in the garden manifested outwardly by that expression of sympathy so rare in the human frame, the depth of His inward anguish, His doleful and bitter cry upon the cross told still more plainly the poignancy of His suffering, revealing, at the same time, its mysterious and astounding occasion in the destitution of His soul by the Father. And if we have evidence enough as to the reality of the suffering, we are left in no doubt as to its adequacy. This is a point with which we have nothing to do beyond ascertaining the judgment of God concerning it. We may reason in its favour by adducing the intensity of that which was endured, combined with the infinite glory of

Him who endured it; but while all this is undoubtedly true, it is in reality far beyond us to estimate it. One has estimated it, and declared it enough; and that suffices. Him has God raised from the dead and set at His own right hand in the heavenly places, witnessing to all the intelligent creation the boundless sufficiency of the propitiation effected.

But it is time that we trace His triumphant reign, as the fruit of his sufferings, a little more in detail.

1, 2. First, then, His manifestation of God in that day, in the perfection and harmony of His attributes, will be the especial fruit of that which He has suffered. Known for ever and exalted for ever as the Lamb that was slain, the mercy and truth, and righteousness and peace, which met and embraced each other on His cross, will from that cross draw for ever the glory of their lasting combination. The same sufferings which set free for our salvation the arms of the Divine love, invested with its girdle of majesty the Divine justice; and both the one and the other will be for ever glorified in the exaltation of Him whose sufferings sealed their reality and effected their fullest vindication. If in that coming world the righteousness of God is to be measured, how shall it be known more truly, or estimated more