Next, have you, too, seriously pondered for what exact object Jesus became the Woman’s Seed? — Our peace and happiness depend on the right knowledge of this. It was just for this purpose, that He might be qualified to stand in the poor sinner’s stead; and might be in a condition to represent him. You know, that the Word of God has passed, and cannot be called back: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die”. You know, too, that to die, in this sentence, means to suffer for ever the torments of the lost. Under this condemnation you and I are brought by sin. You and I, then, must thus endure, unless God be pleased to take the death of a sinless one in the place of our death. Jesus is willing to bear all for us: how could he do so, without being man? He could not. Therefore, He is made man. So when God’s Truth and Justice say — I must have that man’s life; Jesus is ready to reply — I am of his nature, here is my life for his. Mark, then, He is the Woman’s Seed, that He may have a life to lay down, and have blood to shed, for the ransom of such as we are. See clearly, that Jesus takes man’s flesh, that He may redeem from death all of man’s family who trust in Him.
Thus, also, in man’s nature, He obeys all the commandments of God. But the righteousness thus worked out is not for Himself. It is wrought, that He may make it over to all who come to Him. This He never fails to do. So when the poorest believer presents himself for admission into heaven, he can shew, for his passport, a perfect righteousness placed over him by Jesus. It is so all-sufficient, that, when weighed in the balances of God, it lacks nothing.
I repeat these truths, because they are the ground work of true faith. Jesus was the Woman’s Seed, that, being exactly as we are, yet without sin, His death might go for our death — His righteousness might stand for our righteousness.
Reader, are you a poor sinner, feeling your misery and dreading eternal wrath? Flee to the Woman’s Seed. There is pardon in Him to wash away all iniquities. The faithful of the old world knew Him by this name, and they believed God, that, in due time, He would come, and thus satisfy for them. They looked to Him who should be born. They looked, and none can look in vain.