History of Presbyfa‘iant'sm

of matter respecting him and his work. Among the varied statements and counsels of the epistle, the thought of the text occupies a distinct place.

The sentence, “Christ is all, and in all,” is obvi— ously a proverbial expression, signifying that Christ is everything in the salvation of the soul. He is the only and all—suflicient Saviour. In the salvation of the soul, his work and sacrifice alone avail. A similar proverbial expression is employed by Christ himself, as when he says in the Revelation: “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” In the illustra- tion of the passage before us, we may consider, first, Christ as appointed by the Father, all in all for man’s redemption; and secondly, especially, that he is all in all to man or his salvation.

First, Christ as appointed by the Father, all in all for man’s redemption. The name here applied to him is significant. It is Christ, the anointed of God. He was designated and consecrated to the office of mediator by the Lord and Judge of all. Having his commission from the highest, none could dispute his claims, none question his proceedings, none deny or dispute his authority. He was anointed with the Spirit without measure, and thus fully qualified for the discharge of the important du- ties devolving upon him, as the Redeemer and King of his people. The eternal Son of God, he pos- sessed the power and compassion of Divinity, and was pre—eminently fitted for executing the great work of effecting reconciliation between God and man. He was such an high priest as became man,

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