cannot see evil without punishing it: His wisdom, His holiness, His love of order, His justice, all concur to convince us that "He will render to every one ac

cording to his works:" this He had, expressly, declared unto men; but because He is "merciful, full "of compassion, abundant in goodness," He has also declared, that He would not withhold His mercy from those who returned to Him." With these paternal intentions," He sent his only-begotten Son into the

world, that whosoever believeth in Him should not "perish, but have everlasting life;" and in consideration of the merit arising from the death, the suffering, the intercession of his Son, He is disposed to pardon the repenting sinner.

Christ Jesus then procures us this deliverance as a Mediator and Intercessor: thus it is that "He who "knew no sin was made sin for us, and that He is set "down at the right hand of God, where he maketh in "tercession for us."

This deliverance comprizes the pardon of the sins of which we repent, restoration to the favor of God, and the hope of eternal life.

Far from us be the daring objections, the idle enquiries, the frivolous questions, the scandalous disputes, which have been agitated on this great mystery of the Christian Religion: we derive, from the contemplation of it, motives to holiness, perpetually suggesting to us, that, so limited is our understanding, we cannot explain, nor even comprehend, the designs of a Being, whose perfections are infinite, "who doeth "great things and unsearchable; marvellous things "without number."

Such

Such is the Salvation purchased by the Son of God: but who are they to whom it shall be imparted? He, says the Angel, "shall save His people."

III. The people of the Messiah were, in a restrained sense, the Hebrews, the posterity of Abraham, from whom He descended; the nation to whom He was first sent. "I am not sent," said He, "but "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." These were the Jews converted to the Lord, who were to carry the light of the Gospel to all nations, and to be the preachers and ministers of it. "It was necessary,' said Paul and Barnabas to the Jews at Antioch, "that "the word of God should first be spoken unto you: "but secing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves "unworthy of everlasting life-lo, we turn to the "Gentiles."

More generally then, the people whom the Redeemer came to save, are those who shall believe in Him, however dispersed, or wherever assembled. Thus the Lord said unto Paul in a vision-" I have "much people in this city." And St. John declares that Christ Jesus is "the propitiation for our sins "and not for ours, only, but also for the sins of the

whole world: for in every nation, he that feareth "God, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with "Him."

This heavenly Teacher is, by consequence, come upon earth to form "a new, a peculiar people, zealous "of good works."

This happy people may, therefore, 'be distinguished from mankind by their observance of the duties of Religion, and works of integrity. For these, and these only, will be acknowleged by the Saviour of sinners.

When faith is mentioned, in the Scriptures, as the essential condition of Salvation, we must not, for a moment, forget, that they who are possessed of it, who declare their belief in the truth of the Gospel-covenant, are exhorted by the Apostle, to be "zealous to "maintain good works."

We have, hitherto, considered the name of Jesus as it is profitable for instruction in doctrine-let us, in conclusion, consider it as profitable for instruction in righteousness and true holiness.

There is no man who, if he enters into himself, and reflects upon his condition, but must acknowlege that, whatever may have been the tenor of his life, he is in need of a Saviour, and a Mediator with God, Miserable are those mortals who reject His proffered Salvation! It is of them that St. John speaks, when he represents sinners as saying, "I am rich, and encreased in

goods, and have need of nothing; whilst they know "not that they are poor, and miserable, and blind, and "naked." Grant, Blessed Lord, that we may have a lively sense of our misery and unworthiness, that we may flee unto Thee as the only hope of Salvation!

Christ Jesus is the only Saviour: there is no one but Himself who can deliver us from our sins. "He

is the way, the truth, and the life; no man can go "unto the Father, but by Him:" He hath "made a "full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and "satisfaction for the sins of the whole world" in like manner, as there is only one God, so there is only one Mediator "between God and men." Let us beware then, lest we seek for other means of Salvation; and let us impress this interesting truth upon our hearts, that "there is no other name by which we

❝ can

❝can be saved:" let us, lastly, beware of presuming upon Salvation without His support and assistance.

How much have those, who know not this Saviour, to lament! but how much more have those to lament, who, having the means of knowing, renounce Him! Of what consolations do they deprive themselves! Enviable is that refuge, when at the point of death, I comfort myself with saying, I perceive that my life has been often wavering between vice and virtue; but too often, alas! I have transgressed the laws of my God! What have I to hope from the mercy of my Saviour; I, who have too often, alas! contemned His justice, and insulted His majesty! "Wretch that I am, "who shall deliver me from the wrath to come," except my Redeemer? Who shall make my peace with God, but the Saviour of men? Without this warranted confidence, we must either be led away by delusion, or fall into despair; for to quiet the stings of conscience, and expel the terrors of guilt: to give comfort on the bed of sickness, and support to the departing spirit, we must have an unshaken confidence in the propitiatory merits of our Biessed Redeemer. For there is no condemnation to them that are in "Christ Jesus. The blood of Christ cleanseth "from all sin."

To be entitled to the Atonement made by Christ, we must have the evidence within ourselves, that we have lived in obedience to God's commandments. Universal, uniform, and perfect obedience is not required of us from our Almighty Judge; but there must be, in our general conduct, a true intention, and vigorous efforts proceeding from a sincere heart, to conform

F 4

conform to the Divine Law: for "Christ is the au"thor of Salvation to them only that obey Him."

You then, have no part in these consolatory hopes, you who, living habitually in sin, seem to have forgotten your God! you who, attached to the world, on which your affections are fixed, scarce seem to think that you have an immortal soul! you who acknowlege no other laws than your disorderly passions! you who, far from fulfilling the precepts, and imitating the example, which your Saviour has prescribed, act in wilful defiance of the one, and open contempt of the other. He was all gentleness, and you are all austerity: He was humble, and you are haughty: He was patient, and you are enflamed with vengeance for the slightest offence: He was diligent in fulfilling the work of his Father who had sent Him, and you live without considering your duty to God, and your obligations to society; as though the Almighty had sent you upon earth, not to glorify Him by your filial love and amiable demeanor, but to gratify yourself by spurning His authority, and resisting His will.

All that this Blessed Saviour has done and suffered for us to deliver us from our sins, demands and claims from us the just tribute of the most lively thanksgiv ing, and of the most fervent love. If we contemplate the dignity of the Redeemer, who was God as well as man; the value of the Salvation which He has purchased for us, and our own unworthiness-every thing enhances the value of that Salvation, and ought, for the same reason, to animate our gratitude, and support our devotion. Christ hath loved us, and

hath given Himself for us." What does such love,

such