ungodly sinners and devils should tremble at his presence. His holy nature, like Joseph’s coat of distinguished favour, was sweetly and richly diversified with the various graces of the Holy Spirit. Commissioned by his Father, agreeable to ancient stipulation, and covenant agreement, he came to seek the eternal felicity of his brethren. But Oh! the dreadful blindness and enmity of the human heart, even many of those who were dear to him, became his betrayers and murderers: a Judah sold his brother for twenty pieces of silver, and a Judas sold his master for ten more. He was tempted by the world, but he resisted it: falsely accused—he was imprisoned under the sentence of death, in all its horrid forms; and when on the Cross his divine compassion, and his awful sovereignty, was displayed in saving a fellow sufferer, and hearing the other in his awful state of rebellion. The appointed hour of his exaltation was come, and he was taken from prison and from death; raised, spiritualized, and conquering, he again revealed what merciful and awful events would take place in the land of Judea: he was received up into glory, the human nature was exalted into high and glorious union with the Deity, and as God-Man, to him every knee shall bow, and own him Lord of all. The treasures of grace are in his hands, for the benefit of his people, and to him all must come for the supply of their wants; while his adorable hand of awful, but gracious providence, executes the purposes of his grace, and brings the objects of his love, and the purchase of his blood, to his feet. Convinced of their enmity, envy and cruelty, ignorance and contempt, they, by the power of all-conquering grace, are brought to seek his favour, confess their sins, supplicate his throne, and obtain the pardon of their transgressions. To these he makes himself known, and treats them as brethren and friends, without upbraiding them. This is compassion, like a God: they are invited to dwell near him, and the spiritual good of all the land is before them, as the earnest of that glory which he has in reversion for them. Fresh scenes in providence are opened to them; trouble, age, or sickness comes on, death and eternity is in view, doubts and fears may again invade the mind, in the bitter reflection of past sins. The soul once more drops at the feet of Jesus, and once more petitions him to forgive and forget his folly—the bowels of mercy yearn in the loving heart of our elder Brother, over us, and he again renews the promise of pardon, with power to the soul, that we may go down to the grave in peace. And as it respects their conduct to him, he calls up their attention to the design of God, in all his dispensations; that God meant to glorify the riches of his grace, and in their salvation to make himself a glorious name. _Now_, _therefore_, _be ye not grieved nor angry with yourselves_; _ye thought evil against me_, _but God meant it unto good_.