Jesus declares himself to be the long promised Messiah--his claim rests on no slight or doubtful evidence--he came at the very precise time it was foretold the Messiah should appear to the people and the holy city. Christ's ministry was among the people of the Jews--Judea was the land of his nativity--the scene of his labours--the witness of his miracles--he was born at Bethlehem, near Jerusalem, and crucified just "without the gate" of the holy city. On Calvary "he finished the transgressions, and made an end of sin, and make reconciliation for iniquity." There the God-man, Christ Jesus, offered up his life a ransom for the guilty--there the surety of the Church paid the full price for her redemption, and made peace by the blood of his cross--there "he suffered the just for the unjust to bring sinners unto God." He took away "the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us, taking them out of the way by nailing them to the cross"--there he removed the iniquity of the land in one day, and so completely "finished the transgression," by suffering the punishment due for his people's sins, that when they are "sought for they shall not be found"--there he paid the full price of their redemption, he cancelled the bond, and made peace and reconciliation with offended justice. He "brought in an everlasting righteousness, and not only suffered the penalty due for their transgressions of God's law, 'which is holy, just, and good,' but, as the head of the Church, he obeyed all the precepts of the moral law; which he exalted and made honourable. Perfect was the obedience wrought out--complete was the righteousness brought in by the incarnate Deity, the Lord our righteousness, which is from everlasting to everlasting "unto all and upon all that believe, for there is no difference." Amidst the awful gloom on Calvary's mount, was heard the cry "it is finished!" It was the conqueror's shout--victory was achieved--Satan was vanquished--the sting of death was taken away--the power of the grave destroyed--the conflict was over--the ransom paid--the captives of the mighty delivered--the law was honoured--justice satisfied--God glorified--Heaven opened--man redeemed--and hell vanquished. That was the glorious event which types were intended to exhibit, and prophets were commissioned to proclaim. The appointed time of the vision was arrived--it had long tarried, but it was accomplished. The chain of prophecy was complete--the vision was sealed[126]--and the most holy anointed. The God-man, Christ Jesus, anointed by his Father king and priest of Zion, then exchanged his thorny crown for the royal diadem--then left the sorrows of earth for the glories of his mediatorial throne, which no enemy can touch--their opposition is vain--he that sitteth upon the circle of the heavens, will laugh them to scorn. Happy are they who have for their king and priest, _him_ whose kingdom is eternal, and priesthood unchangeable--who