stands to his people, as their Head and Representative, and their Second Adam. Ye say to Christ, "How beautiful thou art!" but Paul says, "How beautiful I am in thee!" Ye say, "Christ was obedient;" but Paul say, "I was obedient in Christ." Ye say, “Christ suffered, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven;" but Paul says, "I suffered in Gethsemane, I died on the cross; the Father beheld me justified on the third day, and transformed me through Christ into a heavenly being." In looking on Christ, ye merely feel your distance from that which is holy: Paul, on the contrary, rejoices at his union with it. Ye say, "Christ sits on high, triumphing;" but Paul says, "I sit on high, and triumph in the person of my Head." Ye look upon Jesus as on a third person; but Paul beholds himself as one with Christ. Ye make a distinction between him and yourselves; but Paul, on the sunny height of gospel illumination, drops all distinction, and believes that he praises himself in praising Jesus. Ye tremble in the presence of perfect holiness and righteousness; but Paul thinks, "Ought I to tremble when I behold my own holiness? for what Jesus is, that are we also!" Thus it is in an entirely new and blessed light that Paul views the great Mediator; and he no longer knows him according to the flesh. Neither does he know Christians so any more; for it is no longer the question, what they are as viewed in their own persons. He disregards both their natural advantages and failings, and does not even consider their virtues. We, however, are inclined to judge a Peter, a John, or a Luther, according to the flesh. The first pleases us on account of his amiable and frank, though rash disposition; we are drawn to the second by the depth and tenderness of His docile, yet ardent character; and the third ingratiates himself with us on account of his peculiar union of German boldness with christian piety, and his honourable, straight forward, and manly conduct. Thus the individual talents and virtues of those men seem to account for the pleasure we take in regarding them; and we behold in them what they were by birth and education. The apostle, on the contrary, although far from blind to the peculiar beauties of his subject, views the children of light in another and far higher aspect; and spiritually they appear to him illuminated by a glory, before which the most dazzling traits of their personal character fade away, like the stars of heaven in the splendour of the rising sun. He beholds the church as clad with Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, without spot or stain, holy and blameless, in the presence of God the Father; and thus it is easy for him to regard all the flock of Christ not only with equal love, but to find equal pleasure in contemplating them. In this point of view, he looks with indulgence on the errors and weaknesses of Christians; regarding their sinfulness as appertaining to them no longer, because it died in the person of Christ, and only seeing the new creatures which they have become in Christ Jesus. Yet who can wonder if he at times chastises the errors of believers with a power and energy, as though he had a rebellious and godless people before his eyes? He does it in the conviction, that he is not chastising them, but their old sinful nature, which still cleaves to them: for he considers the old Adam as something strange and unbearable, even to themselves; and therefore does not see on what grounds he should spare or deal gently with it. Nevertheless, he at times addresses the same people with a tenderness and mildness, as though he spoke to those who are holy and righteous; for he views them as members of the great Head which is in heaven, or as the bride who, dad in glorious apparel, stands at his right hand. Indeed the whole manner and conversation of the apostle towards the children of the kingdom would remain inexplicable, had we not been assured, that "henceforth know we no man after the flesh." When one comprehends this, all is explained, the apostle's love, and his chastisement; their nothingness, and yet their glory. The expression, no man,” in the words of our text, comprehends the apostle also: for Paul no longer knows himself after the flesh; and his object henceforward is not to find himself, or to be found, except in Christ. He does not wish to recognise himself, except in the righteousness of his great Representative; and he therefore knows no longer his natural man. Judge and accuse him as severely as you will, he gives him freely up to your judgment, and joins with you in condemning him. You may put his own virtues and good qualities to shame, yet he values it not; for he looks at the garb of righteousness with which Christ has arrayed him: he is a stranger to the self-righteousness of those who believe that they cannot carefully 66 enough add together the sum of their good works; for his trust rests upon something far higher. On eagles' wings he rises; and it costs him no struggle to despise and hold cheap all that he possesses of his own: for he rejoices in that glory which, independently of himself, he possesses in his pledge. Therefore he no longer lives to himself, like those who think that out of their alms and God-service, they can make a marriage garment, in which they may appear at the great day of the Lord; but he lives in Christ Jesus, in whom he knows himself perfected; and his glory is his great object and interest. O what a blessed thing it is, in this manner to know neither Christ, nor the brethren, nor even yourself, according to the flesh! How glorious and excellent to know one's self already dead in Christ-in Him risen from the dead, justified, and exalted into a hea venly being! In this condition we enjoy that peace which passeth all understanding; and in it arises the living spring of all true holiness and virtue. O that a breath of the Lord would waft us up also to the clear elevation whence the apostle had such a glorious prospect! This elevation rises above Golgotha, and the bloody cross forms its basis. What a view from its summit! and what a beautiful and enchanting glimpse of heaven! Standing upon it, my brethren, I may bless you with the blessing of the man whose eyes being opened, exclaimed, "He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them!" And though it were the frailest |