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his grace. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. God is now righteous and just to forgive us our sins. [Rom. v. 1. Eph. i. 7. Rom. iii. 26.] He hath exacted the penalty from our surety: the debt is paid the bond is cancelled. Jesus "hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. Who

is he that condemneth, "since Christ hath died?" [Rom. viii. 34.] This is our prevailing plea. This is a sufficient answer to all the accusations of the law, and the fears of a guilty conscience. The more we consider the fulness of the surety, the more shall we be confirmed in the safety of those who trust in him: He cannot fail us. "In him there is plenteous redemption." [Psal. cxxx.7.] All fulness; yea, "all and more than all that we can ask or think." [Coloss. i. 19. Eph. iii. 20.] The chief of sinners need not fear. "He can save to the uttermost:" He came into the world for this very purpose. "Where sin abounded, there shall pardoning grace abound." [Rom. v. 20.] God hath no quarrel with the greatest sinner returning through Christ. "He will be merciful to his unrighteousness; his sins and iniquities will he remember no more." (Heb. viii. 12.) His justice and truth are now as much engaged to receive us graciously, as before they were engaged to punish us rigorously. He cannot but abundantly pardon. His glory now is this; "Peace proclaimed on earth, good-will towards men. (Luke ii. 14.) The wall of separation is broken down." The veil of sin is taken away. God stretches out the sceptre of his grace; commands us to touch it and live. "Let him take hold on my strength, and make peace with me, and he shall make peace with me." (Isa. xxvii. 5.) See it fully demonstrated in this blessed scripture. "God was in Christ recon

ciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. Now then we are ambas-sadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you. by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." (2 Cor. v. 20.)

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2. By Christ's redemption of us from the curse, we obtain all the promises of the Spirit. Until this was removed there could be no intercourse between the holy God and sinful man; and if this intercourse were not restored on earth, man must be for ever excluded from the presence of God: "Without holiness no man can see the Lord." (Heb. xii. 14.) But no such could be found, unless the Spirit of holiness "created us anew.' Our corruption and weakness qualified. us for any work of goodness. Vile we were, and vile we must for ever have remained, if not renewed in the spirit of our minds." Christ therefore in delivering us from the curse hath obtained the Spirit also to deliver us from the power of our sins. "He hath led captivity captive, and received gifts for men, (Psal. Ixviii. 18.) even for the rebellious; and he is now exalted at the right hand of God," in virtue of his obedience unto death, "to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to his people." (Acts: v.. 31.) From him all power is derived: "Without him we can do nothing: (John xv. 9.) but all things through him strengthening us." (Phil.. iv. 13.) All the graces of God's Spirit to enlighten, enliven,, comfort and sanctify our souls, he hath the dispensation of; and sheds them abroad: in the hearts of those whom by his preventing: grace he stirreth up to seek him. Helping their infirmities in prayer, and. blessing them with an answer of peace, and "an abundant supply of the Spirit," according to their necessities, We

have now a throne of grace open, and are bid "to come boldly to it, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in every time of need." (Heb. iv. 16.) And whilst his blood is sprinkled on our consciences, we may "draw near in full assurance of faith," and the most confident persuasion, that "whatsoever we shall ask in his name, God will it give us. And that thus growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, he will, having conducted us by his counsel here, at last bring us to his glory." (Psal. lxxiii. 24.) For this also,

3. He hath by his blood-shedding obtained for us not only present but eternal redemption. (Heb. ix. 12.) He hath removed the flaming sword that guarded the tree of life. He hath

opened the everlasting doors. "He, as our forerunner, is for us entered; we are already set down with him in heavenly places." (Eph. ii. 6.) As members of his body, we must follow our head. "Where he is, there must we be also." The promise is sure to all the seed. Though we have a "meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light" wrought in us, our title to it stands on the everlasting righteousness finished upon the cross. That Jesus was obedient unto death, is all our plea: and at the last day we shall see our obligations above all to the Redeemer, when we shall receive "eternal life as the gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. vi, 23.) He that endured the cross must have the glory of his purchase. No desert of ours "lifts us from the dunghill to set us among the princes.' We shall then see it wholly obtained for us by his merits, when "with his ransomed people we shall come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon our heads." (Isa. xxxv. 10.) They that surround his throne, all cast their crowns at

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his feet they ascribe to him alone their mighty bliss: "For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and hast made us unto our God kings and priests." (Rev. v. 10.) Who wishes not to join their praises? And do we wish it indeed? Let us then learn them here below. If now we find in him redemption; if now we believe in him as our deliverer from the curse of the law; if now we trust in him alone for grace in time, and glory in eternity; then will he finish his new creation in us; perfect what he hath begun, and bring us where neither sin nor death are known, but He, the once suffering, now exalted Redeemer reigns, and all his saints adore him, yea shall reign with him in glory everlasting. Amen.

SERMON IX.

SALVATION BY GRACE.

EPHESIANS II. 8.

FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED, THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD.

No mistakes are so dangerous as those which

relate to our eternal salvation: yet through the blindness of our own hearts, and wickedness of others, who would "pervert the right ways. of the Lord," we had need take great heed to our feet, that they turn not out of the way, Our only sure direction is the word of God. This is appointed to be "a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our paths" (Psalm cxix, 105.) He that walketh after this rule, peace will be unto him. As it is the universal guide, it is. open for every man's perusal, and plain to every man's understanding. Many things in it indeed, through a variety of circumstances, are dark and hard to be understood, but they are not points essential to our salvation. These will afford matter to the end of the world for such as prefer knowledge to practice, and choose to dispute rather than obey. The things of most importance and necessary to be known are easy. to be understood: "He that runs may read them." No comment is wanting, but a desire to know the truth, with a disposition to follow it. Thus "the Bareans sought and found." (Acts xvii. 11.),

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