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unable to pay the price, the right of redemption was with the nearest of kin. Thus Boaz was redeemer for Ruth, Ruth iv. 4. So Jeremiah was redeemer for Hanameel, Jer. xxxii. 8. Jesus was redeemer for us, Heb. ix 12. Our inheritance was lost, Gen. iii. 23, 24. Our persons were sold into bondage, Rom. vii. 14. It was impossible for any man to redeem the one or the other for himself, Ps. xlix. 7, 8. But Christ has become our nearest of kin, Heb. ii. 14, 17. He has paid the price of redemption for ourselves, 1 Pet. i. 18, 19; Eph. i. 7; and for our inheritance, 1 Pet. i. 3, 4; Eph. i. 14. He is the Redeemer by purchase, Gal. iii. 13.

II. The redemption by power. We cannot fail to notice this second work of redemption, by which those who were kept prisoners by the enemy were brought out of bondage without any ransom, but with a strong hand, Isa. 1. 2; Jer. xv. 21. Thus God promised to redeem Ísrael from Egypt, Exod. vi. 6; Deut. vii. 8.

Thus also He promised to redeem Judah from Babylon, Micah iv. 10; and so Jesus promises, as by purchase He has redeemed us from the demands of the law, by power to redeem us from the bondage of sin and Satan, Titus ii. 11-14. See the glorious assurance given to Israel, Isa. xlix. 24-26; cf. 1 Cor. xv. 54-57; Rom. vi. 11-14. It is for this we wait, Rom. viii. 23; Eph. iv. 30. He is to be the Redeemer by power.

Is it not blessed thus to be able to look to God

through Jesus Christ? Through weakness we can do nothing without Him, 2 Chron. xx. 12; but, thank God, He is our kinsman, Heb. ii. 11. He is able—He is worthy to be our Redeemer, 1 Pet. i. 18. The help of His grace is thus pledged to us, 1 Cor. i. 30, 31. Oh, what a song should ours be in time, Ps. xl. 3; and through eternity, Rev. v. 9, 10.

Second Sunday after Trinity.

"THE APOSTLE."

Learn, Heb. iii. 1-4. Passages to be referred to,Isa. xl. 1-11; Luke iv. 14-24; John v. 24-47; Heb. i., ii. 1-4.

AN apostle signifies, literally, one sent; and we find it, in the Bible, peculiarly connected with the Gospel and the Church. In the Old Testament angels were sent, 1 Chron, xxi. 15; prophets were sent, 2 Chron. xxiv. 19, &c.; but these were not apostles. Jesus chose "twelve whom He named Apostles," Luke vi. 13. Thus, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, where the Christian dispensation is brought out in contrast to what had gone before, we are told to consider Christ as the Apostle, in contrast to angels and others sent before, Heb. iii. 1.

But that you may be able to consider our Lord as the Apostle of our profession, I shall ask you to notice three of the distinguishing marks of His apostleship.

I. He was sent direct from God. This was the first great mark of an apostle, Gal. i. 1, 15, 16; and this our Lord constantly urged concerning Him

self, John v. 23, vi. 44, x. 36, xii. 49, xiv. 24, &c. It does not contradict the fact of His coming of His own will, Ps. xl. 7, 8, but shows the mission which He undertook from the Father, John iv. 34, xvii. 3, 18, 21, 23, 25, xx. 21. God hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Heb. i. 1; see Matt. xxi. 37. How sure, then, is the message, Mark xiii. 31. What a privilege for us to hear Jesus! Luke x. 24; 1 Pet. i. 12. But what a responsibility! Heb. ii. 3, xii. 25.

II. He was anointed with the Holy Ghost. This was another mark of an apostle, Acts ix. 17; see xiii. 2, 4. And this the prophet of old had pointed out concerning Jesus, Isa. lxi. 1. Directly He enters upon His ministry He shows the fulfilment of this concerning Himself, Luke iv. 1621; see John i. 32, iii. 34. He declares that it is by the Holy Spirit He works, Matt. xii. 28. Through the same Spirit He offered Himself to God, Heb. ix. 14; see Acts x. 38. This anointing is of God, 2 Cor. i. 21.

III. He gave miraculous proof of His mission. This was yet a further mark of an apostle, 2 Cor. xii. 12; and to this our blessed Lord appeals concerning Himself, John v. 36; see Matt. xi. 4, 5. To this, also, His followers appeal, Acts ii. 22. Where prejudice was laid aside, this proof was convincing to the people, John vii. 31. It was intended of God to be so, John x. 38. Το reject it is awful, John xv. 24.

Let us now put these points together, and con

sider the Apostle of our profession, Christ Jesus. His word is that of God himself speaking to your heart and mine, John xii. 48-50. His word is brought by the Holy Ghost for our reception, John xiv. 26, xvi. 14. His word comes with a miraculous power to the

what way

soul, Heb. iv. 12. In should you and I receive Him?

"Advise and see what answer I shall return to Him that sent me,” Ps. lxxxv. 8.

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