4.--As Mediator--he ever did, now does, and ever will, live for his people; and in his glorious title as the son of God, as God-man, he has received all blessings for his church; and these are comprehended under the term LIFE. The Lord hath commanded his blessing, even life for evermore; and as the Father hath life in himself, even so hath he given to the son to have life in himself. Christ, as God-man lived in the purpose of God from eternity; and though he is compared to many things which have not life--to water, to bread, to a stone, a way, a tree--yet they have these additions, _living_ water, _living_ bread, _living_ stone, _living_ way, _tree_ of life. In this most blessed character the ancient saints saw him by faith, received him, and lived and died upon him. Job's faith was fixed here, and rose to sweet confidence, to full assurance--"I know that my redeemer liveth"--yes, now--in this character before God for me, and I see my interest in him. Every believer is now more or less thus favoured. God gives, 1st. Faith to believe in him as such--2ndly. To rely upon him--and, 3rdly. To enjoy interest in him. He lives, the ever-living Mediator; considered as God-man, he is the Mediator of union between God and his creatures--_as elect_--both angels and men; and he is the Mediator of reconciliation for his church, as fallen; as the Head of the Church, and the Son of God, he was called to act for her as fallen; and when declared Son of God by the Father, he was sworn into his office as High Priest; to which, in the boundless love of his heart, he gave his consent to make reconciliation for the sins of his people, to give perfect satisfaction, and to harmonize all the sacred perfections of Jehovah. In this most sacred character he appeared in heaven as the Lamb slain, from the foundation of the world; to him the old testament church looked, and in the fullness of time, he came and began his work in the wonderful and mysterious act of his incarnation:--made of a woman--made under the law, he was circumcised, and became a debtor to fulfil the whole law for his people. The nature that he assumed, although it was perfectly flesh and blood, yet it was perfectly holy. Hence his appeal to God the Judge of all: "Search me, O, God, and try me, and see if there be any wicked way in me." His human nature was a holy thing; and possessed in it more holiness than all the angels of light; and in it, he did all the churches' duty in obedience to the law; he obeyed the ceremonial law as the seed of Abraham, and kept the law of God in thought, mind, will, and deed perfectly. He worshipped one God, never bowed to creatures, or profaned the holy name: honored the sabbath and his parents; nor felt a base desire; nor tinged with sinful anger, much less murder; nor with heart or hand did he ever rob God or man; nor ever bore false witness against any; nor could a covetous thought enter his sacred breast; but with his whole nature loved God and his neighbour, and did unto all men what men in their doings ought to do to each other. This he performed for us; and, in consequence of the essential dignity of his person, as God as well as man, He is styled Jehovah, our righteousness. This is imputed and placed to the account of his people by the Father. God the Holy Spirit opens the grand subject to us, we receive it in the mind and affections. Conscience testifying this, we have peace with God. In this righteousness the church is perfected; in it they stand justified before God, and shall never come in to condemnation. But in his glorious character as Mediator, his having become surety for his people, he had to pay the dreadful debt of suffering the awful penalty. As the consequence of the sins of his church, he engaged to endure the hell we had merited. The curse of a broken law, and all which that awful idea contains. He took the bitter draught, the dreadful cup, and drank eternal health to his dear people.