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DISCOURSE XIV.

HEBREWS xii. 2.

Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our

faith.

IN the chapter preceding that from which the words of the text are taken, the Apostle traces, in a brief outline, the history of the faithful. From Abel to the prophets, he describes the lineage of the children of God, and by a succession of illustrious examples, shews how the same spirit of faith confirmed and cheered the hopes of all the saints of old, under their severest trials and sufferings. God was the object of their firm and unshaken confidence. Leaning on the arm of Omnipotence, and looking for their final reward beyond all that lies on this side the grave, they trusted every promise and obeyed every call of Jehovah, through whatever path of difficulty and danger it might lead them. The proof of their faith, though severe, was short. The pilgrimage was

soon ended, and its wanderings, though often sad and weary, conducted them, one after the other, to the Canaan of eternal rest. "Wherefore," says the Apostle, animated by the bright vision of the long train of worthies which had just passed before his eye, and giving vent to all the fervour of his bold and ardent spirit-" Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us; looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." In this beautiful and cogent exhortation, the Apostle alludes to certain public games, which were common at that time in the pagan world. At these games were various exhibitions of strength and agility, among which not the least conspicuous was running on foot for some prize of victory. The competitors in such races were well prepared for the contest. They took care beforehand, by a proper regimen and discipline, to give their bodies all the strength and vigour of which they were susceptible; they divested themselves at the race of every useless incumbrance; they caught the spirit of emulation from the gaze of the surrounding

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spectators, among whom were many who had viously taken a part in the same games, and were wearing the laurels of their triumph; they fixed a steady eye on the goal which was before them, and, rushing impetuously forward, sought a fading crown of glory from the hand of the director and arbiter of the contest.

To such a scene did Paul allude, when he exhorted the Hebrew Christians to run with patience the race that was set before them. He urges them to be animated by the example of the many worthies of whom he had been speaking, and whom he describes, by a bold figure of rhetoric, as looking down from their seats of bliss on the theatre of this lower world, to witness the struggles which the followers of Christ were making to procure an incorruptible crown. He directs them to cast away every weight of sin which might impede their course, and, above all, he calls them to look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of his and their faith, the great Superintendant of the holy contest in which they were engaged, the final Arbiter of their destiny, and from whom they would receive the glorious reward of all their toils and sufferings.

My brethren, it is our duty to run the same race of Christian perseverance, and, if we are faithful unto the death, it will be our happiness also to

receive that crown of glory which fadeth not away. We, too, have all the motives of encouragement and consolation which Paul addressed to the Hebrew Christians; but waving all the rest, let us confine our attention to this single consideration, that Jesus is both the Author and Finisher of our faith. Let us endeavour to understand this truth in its proper extent and importance, and then make such a practical use of it as will tend, under the blessing of God, to confirm and advance us in our Christian course. For this purpose I propose to consider,—1st, In what respects Jesus is the Author of our faith,-2dly, In what respects he is the Finisher of it,-and 3dly, How we are to look unto Him in this interesting character,

I. Let us consider in what respects Jesus is the Author of our faith.

1. He is the Author of our faith, by accomplishing those events in the economy of God's of God's government, which were necessary to open the way for the promulgation of the doctrines of the Cross.These doctrines all harmonise and centre in one point, the reconciliation of sinful man to the offended Majesty of heaven, through Jesus Christ. But how was this proclamation of mercy to be made to a world of rebels, without infringing the authority of God's law; without sullying the

honour of his government; without shaking the stability of his throne? Infinite Wisdom solved these tremendous difficulties, and devised a scheme of redemption which should be as illustrious in displaying the justice as the mercy of God. The Son of God condescended to pour out his blood for the remission of sin, that God might be just, and yet the justifier of him who believes in Jesus. The cross was to sustain a Victim so pure, so immaculate, so holy-what do I say? it was to bear on its torturing arms the Son of God himselfone who declared himself equal to the Father-a dying spectacle to angels and to men, to prove that sin could be expiated by no sacrifice less costly. Now, my brethren, elevate your minds to the contemplation of this august and awful scene; the Son of God descending from heaven and dying on Calvary, to ransom our ruined race from the dreadful consequences of sin: think, too, how much was to be done to prepare the way for so astonishing an event. From the time that the consoling prophecy was given, that the seed of the woman should bruise the head of the serpent, to that awful moment of consummating the work of redemption, when Jesus exclaimed, "It is finished "in this long lapse of ages, how many grand events must transpire before the "fulness of time" could come! A deluge must sweep from the earth its