it teaches that he has power to effect this "to whom the Father has given it;" that is to say, the beloved Son of God, in whom he has himself testified that he is well pleased.

That Christ therefore, since his assumption of human flesh, remains one Christ, is a matter of faith; whether he retains his two-fold will and understanding, is a point respecting which, as Scripture is silent, we are not concerned to inquire. For after having emptied himself," he might "increase in wisdom," Luke ii. 52. by means of the understanding which he previously possessed, and might "know all things," John xxi. 17. namely, through the teaching of the Father, as he himself acknowledged. Nor is this twofold will implied in the single passage Matt. xxvi. 39. "not as I will, but as thou wilt," unless he be the same with the Father, which, as has been already shown, cannot be admitted.

66

That Christ was very man, is evident from his having a body, Luke xxiv. 39. "a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have;" a soul, Mark x. 45. "that he might give his life (animam, his soul) a ransom for many;" xiv. 34. my soul is exceedingly sorrowful unto death;" and a spirit, Luke xxiii. 46. "into thy hands I commend my spirit." It is true that God attributes to himself also a soul and spirit; but there are reasons most distinctly assigned in Scripture, why Christ should be very man. 1 Cor. xv. 21. "for since by

.he that dwelt above

High thron'd in secret bliss, for us frail dust

Emptied his glory, ev'n to nakedness.

Ode on the Circumcision, 18. Newton remarks that the expression is taken from Philipp. ii. 7. though not as in our translation, he made himself of no reputation, but as it is in the original, ἑαυτόν ἐκένωσε.

3

.now by some strong motion I am led
Into the wilderness, to what intent.

I know not yet, perhaps I need not know;
For what concerns my knowledge God reveals.

Paradise Regained, I. 290. Several of the expressions in the soliloquy from which these lines are extracted are founded on the supposition, that Christ was not possessed of all the knowledge which his human nature was capable of receiving by virtue of the union of the two natures, and from the first moment of that union. See the authorities by which this opinion is supported, in the note on the above passage in Dr. Hawkins's edition of Milton's poetical works.

we

man came death, by man came also the ressurection of the dead." Heb. ii. 14. "forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." v. 17. "wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest." v. 18. "for in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." iv. 15. “ have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." v. 2. "who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity." Finally, God would not accept any other sacrifice, inasmuch as any other would have been less worthy. Heb. x. 5. "sacrifice thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou prepared me." viii. 3. "it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer." ix. 22. "without shedding of blood is no remission."

This

Inasmuch, however, as the two natures constitute one Christ, certain particulars appear to be predicated of him absolutely, which properly apply to one of his natures. is what is called communicatio idiomatum or proprietatum,* where by the customary forms of language what is peculiar to one of two natures is attributed to both jointly. John iii. 13. "he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man, which is in heaven." viii. 58. "before Abraham was, I am." Accordingly, these and similar passages, wherever they occur, are to be understood κατ' ἄλλο καὶ ἄλλο, as theologians express it; (for in speaking of Christ the proper expression is not ἄλλος καὶ ἄλλος, but ἄλλο καὶ ἄλλο, inasmuch as it refers, not to himself, but to his person, or in other words, his office of mediator for as to the subject of his two natures, it is too profound a mystery, in my judgment at least, to warrant any positive assertion respecting it).

It sometimes happens, on the other hand, that what properly belongs to the compound nature of Christ, is attributed to one of his natures only, 1 Tim. ii. 5. "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Now he is not mediator inasmuch as he is man, but inasmuch as he is Θεάνθρωπος.

avridonic idiwμarwy, the communication of the properties.

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 ;5 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, undefiled, separate from sinners.'

66

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,

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."

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,7

• 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.

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.

AT THE SPECIAL APPOINTMENT OF GOD THE FATHER. Isaj, lii. 1. "behold my servant.... mine elect in whom my soul delighteth." lxi. 1. "Jehovah hath anointed me." Hence he derived the name of Messias, of Christ, Psal. ii. of "the mnessenger of the covenant," Mal. iii. 1. and of "the advocate,' 1 John ii. 1. "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ." Psal. cx. 4. "Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent." Rom. iii. 25. "whom God hath set forth." Heb. v. 4-6. "so also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest." x. 9, 10. "I come to do thy will, O God.... by the which will we are sanctified." John iii. 16, 17. "God gave his only begotten Son.... God sent not his Son into the world to condemn-." v. 34. "God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him." vi. 27. "him hath God the Father sealed." x. 36. "him whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world." Gal. i. 4. "who gave himself.... according to the will of God and our Father."

VOLUNTARILY. John xv. 9. 66 as the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you." Rom. viii. 35. "who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, &c. .. .. or sword?" Eph. iii. 19. "the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge."

WHATEVER IS REQUISITE FOR OBTAINING RECONCILIATION WITH GOD. Rom. v. 10. "we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son." 2 Cor. v. 18, 19. "all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ: God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself." 1 John ii. 2. "he is the propitiation for our sins.”

ETERNAL SALVATION. Matt. i. 21. "thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins." 1 Tim. i. 15. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' John i. 17. 66 grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." 1 John iv. 9. "God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live by him.' 1 Thess. v. 9. 10. "God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord."

The name and office of mediator is in a certain sense ascribed to Moses, as a type of Christ.8 Gal. iii. 19. "the law

8

To God is no access

Without mediator, whose high office now

Moses in figure bears, to introduce

Que greater

Paradise Lost, XII. 239.