as a roaring lion, follows Death at the heels; and when at the same time hell opens its infernal jaws to swallow us up. But those who have placed their faith and hope in the death and passion of the Saviour of the world, and who embrace his cross, are exempted from all its fears, and out of the reach of all its poisonous darts. 20. My beloved souls, be not therefore frighted to see the face of the great Judge of the world, 1 Tim. ii. because we have such an excellent Mediator between God and man, namely, the man Christ Jesus, who hath given himself a ransom for all, Rom. iii. He hath disarmed God's eternal justice, and stopped the proceedings of his vengeance. For God hath appointed him from all eternity to be a propitiation, by faith in his blood. The Father judgeth no man, but hath given all judgment to the Son, as he is Son of man, John v. There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Whosoever believes in him, shall never come into condemnation, but is passed from death to life, Rom. viii. 21. Fear no more the thunderbolts and the flashes of fire of Mount Sinai; neither tremble when you hear its terrible thunder, "Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them," Deut. xxviii. For though Christ's hands were nailed and fastened to the wood, they plucked out of the hands of God's justice his terrible thunderbolts, and the sword of his vengeance. The precious blood that runs down from the wounds of this divine Redeemer, quenches the scorching heat of his consuming fire and flames. As at the time of our Saviour's passion he had a care of his disciples, and therefore he desired those that came to take him, "If you seek me, let these go," John xviii. likewise he hath now a care of all such as believe in his name, to secure them under the shadow of his cross. He takes their place, and for them he stands before God's justice, saying, Since you have taken me to be their pledge, and have pursued me without mercy; and since I have sufficiently satisfied for their crimes, and tasted for them the most bitter and cruel death; suffer them to enjoy the freedom that hath been purchased at such a dear rate. Suffer them to pass through death into the enjoyment of a blessed life, which is the price of my blood, and the fruit of my victories. This merciful Redeemer hath put himself, of his own accord, in our stead; and hath endured in his own person all the pains which were due to our sins. He hath been struck with Moses's rod, and pierced through with the darts of the law; he hath been made a curse for us; for it is written, " Cursed is every one that hangeth upon a tree," Gal. v. But we are not only by this means redeemed from the curse of the law, but we are also blessed in him with all manner of heavenly blessings. When we were without Christ, we were aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, having no hope, and without God in the world. But we who were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ, we have access with confidence by faith in his precious blood; so that we may go with boldness to the throne of grace, to find mercy and help in time of need, Heb. ix. Rejoice, therefore, christian souls, for you are not come to the mount that might not be touched with hands, nor to a burning fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more; but ye are come unto Mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels; to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven; and to God the Judge of all; and to the spirits of just men made perfect; and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant; and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel: for Abel's blood called for vengeance against his brother, Heb. xii. Col. i. but the blood of as a roaring lion, follows Death at the heels; and when at the same time hell opens its infernal jaws to swallow us up. But those who have placed their faith and hope in the death and passion of the Saviour of the world, and who embrace his cross, are exempted from all its fears, and out of the reach of all its poisonous darts. 20. My beloved souls, be not therefore frighted to see the face of the great Judge of the world, 1 Tim. ii. because we have such an excellent Mediator between God and man, namely, the man Christ Jesus, who hath given himself a ransom for all, Rom. iii. He hath disarmed God's eternal justice, and stopped the proceedings of his vengeance. For God hath appointed him from all eternity to be a propitiation, by faith in his blood. The Father judgeth no man, but hath given all judgment to the Son, as he is Son of man, John v. There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Whosoever believes in him, shall never come into condemnation, but is passed from death to life, Rom. viii. 21. Fear no more the thunderbolts and the flashes of fire of Mount Sinai; neither tremble when you hear its terrible thunder, "Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them," Deut. xxviii. For though Christ's hands were nailed and fastened to the wood, they plucked out of the hands of God's justice his terrible thunderbolts, and the sword of his vengeance. The precious blood that runs down from the wounds of this divine Redeemer, quenches the scorching heat of his consuming fire and flames. As at the time of our Saviour's passion he had a care of his disciples, and therefore he desired those that came to take him, "If you seek me, let these go,". John xviii. likewise he hath now a care of all such as believe in his name, to secure them under the shadow of his cross. He takes their place, and for them he stands before God's justice, saying, who accuseth them day and night before God; but they have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, 1 Pet. i. Jas. iv. Christian souls, resist the devil, and he will fly from you. If he goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, be not troubled at his fury, nor at his infernal power; for he is tied to a chain that he cannot stretch nor break; he hath been overcome by the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Take therefore the shield of faith, that you may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the devil, Rev. vi. and to speak to him with an undaunted spirit, Get thee behind me, Satan, for thou hast no part in me; I belong to the Lord Jesus, who hath paid my ransom, who hath redeemed me with his blood, and sealed me with his Spirit. The gates of hell have no power upon those who are built upon the Rock of Eternity, Matt. xvi. 23. Let not your sins cast you into the abyss of despair, and drive you from the anchor of your hope. For God hath so loved the world, that he hath given his only Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. They that are whole have no need of a physi cian, but they that are sick, John iii. Our Saviour is not come to call the just to repentance, (such as are puffed up with a vain conceit of their own righteousness,) but sinners, who acknowledge their faults, and are sorry for them. The sacred arms of our Redeemer, that were stretched wide open upon the cross, are yet stretched wide open to receive us; and from the highest heavens, where he dwells, he causeth these comfortable words to be heard, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. xi. This merciful Lord is come to seek the lost sheep, to save such as were perished, and to redeem his people from their sins. As by one man sin came into the world, and by sin death; thus death is come upon all men, for they have all sinned: likewise by the obedience of one, we are become become conquerors over death, Rom. v. and we have obtained the gift of righteousness and immortality. It is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, who hath made an atonement for all our iniquities, John i. For as the ram that was caught by the horns in a thicket, was offered up to God as a burnt-offering instead of Isaac, Eph. v. thus the true Lamb of God hath been offered up unto God upon the cross for us, as a burnt-sacrifice well pleasing unto him. He hath borne our iniquities in his body upon the tree, and by his stripes we are healed, Isa. liii. He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; the chastisement of our peace was upon him. As Aaron put upon the live goat Hazael all the sins of the people, Lev. xvi. God hath made him who knew no sin, to be made sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him, 2 Cor. v. Acts x. Whosoever believes in him, shall receive remission of sins in his name. Therefore, rather than run into despair, as Cain, Ahithophel, and Judas, let us cry out with king David, "O blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, and whose sin is covered! O blessed is he unto whom the Lord imputeth no sin!" Ps. xxxi. Or let us burst out into St. Paul's language, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth: who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died," Rom. viii. Let us therefore embrace this crucified Jesus, and say with the blessed Virgin, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour;" or, with the glorified spirits in heaven, "To him that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood, be glory and strength for ever and ever." Amen. 24. Consider, souls, if the vast number of your sins come into your remembrance, consider that it is not said, that the blood of Christ cleanseth us only from a certain number of sins, but "that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just (that is, true and merciful) to forgive us our sins; and that |