Next follows his voluntary abasement of himself into the hands of _his_ enemies, with the firmness of his mind, and the constancy of his love to his church, as manifested in his unparalleled sorrows, his confidence in his being carried through the great and arduous work of the redemption of his church, and his full triumph over all his enemies; the help that was promised him by his Father, in the covenant, and the challenge that he would give to the enemies of his dear people, for whom he should work out a complete righteousness; read the 6, 7, 8, and 9th verses. Christ Jesus did in the love of his heart engage, agreeable to the call of the Father, to become the surety of his Church: all their sins being imputed to him, he stood guilty in the eye of the law, and justice of God; and having given ample satisfaction to justice, fulfilled the law, made reconciliation, glorified all the perfections of God, and put away sin: he was justified in the Spirit at his resurrection, having paid the debt, he received the receipt in full, and upon his triumphant entrance into glory, bearing the marks and scars in his sacred body, with the virtue of his work fresh in the mind of God, and sweetly accepted by him, he gives the challenge to law, to justice, to all. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect, unpardoned, unatoned for? Who will contend with me? let us stand together: Who is mine adversary? let him come near to me! This is Christ’s universal challenge to all accusers of his children: he has done the work, nothing can be added to it, or taken from it, and the adorable Father imputes this work to his Church; faith is given them to receive this atonement and righteousness, and power is given them to enjoy it as their own; and this believing and receiving the work the Lord Jesus has accomplished, is called, obeying Christ’s voice; while the work of God on the heart is stiled, fearing the Lord. This fear, and this obedience are evidences of interest in the great work of the Triumphant Conquerer of sin, death, and hell. And, whoever among the Lord’s called ones, are walking without a sense of God’s love, find a sense of interest in the Redeemer; without the light of comfort, the light of joy, and the light of love; though darkness is felt by them, and nothing but darkness without them, yet they are not totally in the dark, but they are the children of the light, and of the day. Let such trust in Jesus, and stay their minds upon the Spirit’s testimony of Christ; but this trusting and staying is the gift of God. The chapter then concludes with an address to all pharisees, who reject the perfect work of Christ, and who trust in a form of godliness, without the power. Such compass themselves about with their own sparks, walk in their own light, and die, at last, in sorrow. The parable of the foolish virgins will illustrate this last verse. Excuse the brevity of these remarks. Affectionate respects to your better half.