rience I have in view. To attempt an illustration of this experience, I am authorised by the words of the text:-"Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.' To the truth of this declaration, it is hoped, a considerable number in this assembly are able to set their seal. Christ is to such the Alpha and Omega-the first and the lastthe object of supreme regard. All things in comparison of him are counted as dross; and the most lively emotions of their souls centre in his adorable person.

The method I design to adopt in the present discourse is to point out the reasons. for which Christ becomes precious to the soul through believing on him. With these reasons we are supplied in the context. And to these, our observations shall be exclusively directed. The word therefore in the text, evidently refers us to what the Apostle had remarked in some of the preceding verses.

The Saviour's character both in its exalted and abased state-what he is to his peopleand what he is to their services, are the particulars referred to as constituting these reasons. These particulars therefore shall be distinctly noticed.

I. The reason which is founded on Christ's exalted character is assigned in the 4th verse, and is contained in those expressions,

"chosen of God and precious." Such is the exalted character of our Redeemer, that although he is disregarded by natural men, and is in their view but as a root out of a dry ground; yet to the eternal God, who alone knows how to appreciate real excellence, he is" chosen and precious." His Almighty Father placed such an infinitely high value upon him, that he chose him as the only person capable of undertaking and accomplishing the redemption of lost sinners. In him also his soul delighted. He was the brightness of his own glory, and the express image of his person. Angels, authorities, and powers, were in subjection to him, in consequence of his near and exalted alliance with the eternal Jehovah. Nay, such was the esteem with which he was regarded by adoring thrones, and all the celestial hosts, that they joyfully united, according to the divine injunction, in worshipping and honouring him, even as they honoured the Father.

Now, when, by the influence of faith, the Saviour is contemplated as so exalted a character, grateful and adoring thoughts of him possess the soul. He becomes exceedingly precious to the believer; and thus he is led to argue-" And was my Redeemer the only one amidst the myriads of celestial beings, who was properly qualified for the accomplishment of our salvation? When the

The

Almighty looked' all around, could he find none but Jesus to uphold this ruined world from sinking into irretrievable ruin? Was he the only one, that could be chosen' for this infinitely important work?-And was he moreover precious in the esteem of the eternal God, as being the express image of his person, and his only Son-the Son of his love from eternity?What an exalted character, therefore, must the Saviour be! Excellence itself is evidently his characteristic. highest perfection is his prerogative. The warmest emotions, therefore, of gratitude toward him, were the soul even unremittingly to overflow with them, would fall infinitely short of what he deserves." Thus the believer reasons; and thus his heart grows warm. His affections ascend towards heaven, and are placed on Jesus as his beloved and his friend, Silent adorations possess his soul. The Saviour is esteemed altogether lovely; and he knows by blessed experience, that "Unto them that believe he is precious."

The Redeemer's character, with reference to his state of abasement, furnishes another reason for the believer feeling him precious. The 4th verse not only speaks of him as "chosen of God and precious;" but also as "disallowed indeed of men." The verse also from which the text is taken, represents him as "a stone which the builders disallowed." But. can the believer feel him precious, in conse

quence of having been in such humiliating circumstances? Will a knowledge of the Redeemer as having been disallowed by some men, be instrumental in rendering him precious in the esteem of others? Tell me, ye people of God, if this is not the case. Let the language of your hearts declare, whether a contemplation of Jesus, under the humiliating character which he sustained, when he was despised and rejected of men, does not exceedingly exalt him in your estimation? You eagerly reply-" On account of that debased state, to which he voluntarily submitted, we cannot but feel him precious.”

Contemplating him with reference to that mean condition, you view him, by the eye of faith, veiling his majesty and greatness; and resigning all the exalted glories of heaven, to become a man of sorrows. You behold him exchanging the profound adorations of angels, for the reproaches and derisions of the creatures of his hands; and forsaking the unutterable delights of his Father's immediate presence to be assailed by all the powers of darkness. Faith also realizes to your mind the various scenes of his humiliation. It represents him to your view, as voluntarily taking upon himself the human form; as being born in a stable; becoming poor for your sakes; as disallowed of men, and obedient unto death. Amazing transition!-Astonishing humiliation! By faith,

you see his tears-hear his agonies-behold his limbs mangled-and his body bathed in blood. The cruelties of his enemies are present to your mind; and you picture to yourselves his wounded, deathly, and distorted frame, extended on the cross, and yielding up the ghost.

Believing that Jesus did all this for you; having an assurance, that he thus submitted to be dispised and rejected of men, from pure love to your immortal souls; what sort of feelings do you experience towards him? Does he not become inestimably precious to you? Does not such a view of his love and condescension, constrain you to admire him, and to embrace him as your all in all? And are you not ready to exclaim, "Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth I desire in comparison of thee?” Such, I am persuaded, is your experience. You are therefore living demonstrations of the truth of the text-" Unto them that believe he is precious." The next reason for which Christ becomes precious to the believer, is founded on,

II. What he is to his people.

We learn from the 6th verse, that he is "a chief corner stone" unto them. A chief corner stone, it is well known, is for the purpose of supporting, uniting, and adorn.