and the offering which he presemed WETLI grateful and well-pleasing to him. Bt tmself tells us that he was sanctified and se

to the world by his Father, and St. Patl 5275 that, he took not his office unto himself, but was ordained of God, as was Aaron. Jesus was the true Nazarene, who was consecrated unto God from the womb, who, being early brought into the temple by the pious care of his mother, was again dedicated according to the forms of the law; whose whole life was devoted not to his own glory, but to the glory of him who sent him. In short, he gave himself for us, a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour unto God, a sacrifice wherewith he was well pleased, a sacrifice dearer and more acceptable to him than thousands of lambs, and ten thousands of rivers of oil. But we cannot enlarge on these points which are only incidentally connected with the general subject.

II. We proceed now to inquire in what sense, and by what means, the Lamb of God taketh away the sin of the world.

1. He taketh away the guilt, and consequently, the punishment of sin. This he did, by bearing the guilt and enduring the punishWhen Jesus undertook the of

ment of sin.

VOL. I.

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fice of mediator, the guilt of men was imputed to him. Though he did no sin himself, yet was he numbered among the transgressors, because he bore the sins of others. Being thus considered as guilty, he was also found liable to punishment; and this punishment he bore in his own body upon the tree, "for he was wounded for our transgressions, "he was bruised for our iniquities." Jesus Christ, by thus taking unto himself our guilt and punishment, has removed them both from That heavy load which would have sunk us down to the pit of destruction was transferred to our Substitute who was mighty to save. In virtue of that atonement which he made by the sacrifice of himself, we are deemed innocent and righteous, and are delivered from all the penal consequences of sin. There is, now, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. The hand writing, which was against them, was nailed to the cross, and there obliterated. Their robes, formerly polluted with guilt, are washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. God looks upon them with a reconciled countenance. The sons of men are, no longer, considered as strangers and outcasts, as children of wrath and disobe

dience. A general act of oblivion and restoration has been passed. That vast cloud of guilt, which intercepted the rays of the divine benevolence, has been dispersed by the Sun of righteousness. The obstacles which prevented the intercourse between heaven and earth are removed; and Jesus hath consecrated a new and living way into the holiest courts of God by pouring out his blood in obedience to the will of the Father. The ransom demanded by the Divine Justice has been paid, and the lawful captive has been delivered. But

2. The Lamb of God not only taketh away the guilt of Sin, but also the filth of it. He not only justifies, but he also sanctifies. Thus we are said to be redeemed from our vain conversation by the precious blood of Christ. While he delivers the world from the punishment due to sin, by abolishing their guilt and demerit, he, also, makes them capable of happiness, by overturning the dominion of sin in their hearts, by sanctifying their nature, and, gradually, bringing them to that state of perfection in virtue when they shall be free from every vice and impurity, when no evil passion or desire shall have strength to divert

them from their duty, when the image of God shall be formed anew within them, and they shall be perfect as their heavenly Father is perfect.

This destruction of the works of the devil, he accomplishes in various ways. First of all, he taketh away the sin of the world by the influence of his Holy Spirit. Such was the infinite value of the sacrifice which he offered, that it availed, not only, to produce an act of pardon, and a blotting out of transgression, and an exemption from punishment, but, also, various gifts and graces necessary to the regeneration, sanctification and comfort of his people. These seeds of holiness are implanted in the sinner, at the moment of conversion, through the operation of the blessed Spirit.— These, daily watered with the dew of heaven, spring up and flourish, bringing forth the fair fruits of faith and love, and every christian virtue. The weeds of sin are thereby rooted out. The old man with his deeds is put off. Their polluted natures are gradually washed, sanctified, and purified by the in-dwelling of the Holy Ghost, and the communication of those gifts and graces which Jesus purchased. Sin is taken away, and they who are followers of

the Lamb, and partake of the benefits derived from his sacrifice, walk in newness of life.

The Lamb of God also taketh away the sin of the world by that perfect example of every virtue which he exhibited. He presented a pattern worthy of all imitation; he allured his disciples to virtue by the amiable excellence of his own character. He showed, by his life and conduct, how we may live in the world, unpolluted by it's vices, unseduced by it's pleasures, undismayed by it's dangers, and victorious over it's temptations.

The Lamb of God taketh away the sin of the world by the precepts which he delivered. These were so plain, that the most ignorant could understand them; they were so pure, that they led forward their observers to perfection. No sin, not even the appearance of evil was tolerated by his perfect law. We are required to be perfect, as God is perfect, and holy, as he is holy. And what is more, this law is enforced by the most awful sanctions; nothing less than glory, honour, and immortality to those who continue patient in welldoing, and tribulation and anguish to every son of man that doth evil. Could any thing be devised more effectual to discourage wicked