precious bloodWe know disand how it was

pared with them, we see "face to face." We know far more of that shedding than they knew. tinctly whose blood it was, shed. But then, let us remember, my Brethren, that to whom God has given much, of them he will require the more. If He have favoured us with clearer light, He expects from us a suitable improvement. Less excuse can be made for us, if we neglect the Salvation of the Gospel. Nay, what excuse can be made for us? "If he that despised Moses's law died without mercy, of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God ?"

2. Let us direct our attention to the great truth which we have been considering: "Without shedding of blood there is no remission." We have all a great work upon our hands, the Salvation of our immortal souls. We have to make our peace with God, to procure the forgiveness of our numerous sins. But there is no forgiveness of sins, except through the sacrifice of Christ. It is the blood of Jesus only which cleanseth from sin, and which alone can purify our guilty souls. Let us beware then how we presume to seek forgiveness in any other way. Men make to themselves many Saviours,

which they put in the place of Christ. Ask them on what grounds they hope to be forgiven. They will tell you, because they repent of their sins; because they are sorry for them; because they have left off some bad habits; because they have done some good actions; because their conduct is in general decent and moral; because they are regular in discharging religious duties. But these

things are not Saviours. They indeed accompany salvation, but they cannot take away sin. They cannot reconcile us to God. It is only by the blood of Jesus, that we are brought nigh. Without an interest in his blood there is no remission. Here then let our peace be sought, where only it can be found. Let us seek it in the blood of Jesus. Let us have our hearts and consciences sprinkled with this blood. So shall we be safe from the destroying Angel.. For let us remember,

3. That as "without shedding of blood there is no remission;" so through the precious blood-shedding of Jesus there is full remission for every sin. Perhaps we tremble at the thought of our sins. The sight of them fills us with alarm. We are ready to conclude that they can never be blotted out. But let us not despair. There is power in the blood of Jesus to cleanse from all sin.

Let us wash in this fountain, and though our "sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." This is the Gospel, which is to be preached to every creature. It is preached this day to us. May we embrace it and be saved!

Lastly, let us also remember, that while through the precious blood-shedding of Christ, there is full forgiveness provided for all sin; yet it is sin confessed, lamented, and forsaken, to which alone this forgiveness will really be granted. Christ has not died to save us in our sins, but from them. None but the truly penitent will have an interest in his atoning sacrifice; for none but the truly penitent will, in fact, apply to him for pardon. Sinners, who continue impenitent, do not believe in Jesus. Consequently there is no remission for them. Let us then take heed, lest we deceive ourselves. Let us not suppose, while we wilfully retain the practice of sin in our lives, or the love of it in our hearts, that we can have any scriptural hope in Christ. Let us shew that we indeed belong to Him, and have washed our garments in the blood of the Lamb, by "cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

SERMON III.

ON RECEIVING THE GRACE OF GOD IN

VAIN.

2 CORINTHIANS, vi. I.

We then as Workers together with him, beseech you also, that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain.

WE are here reminded of the office and employment of the Ministers of the Gospel. They are "Workers together with God:" they are his instruments for bringing sinners to salvation. They are commissioned to publish the glad tidings of the Gospel, and to "beseech men not to receive this grace in vain:" while the Lord accompanies their preaching with his Spirit, and so blesses his word for "converting the soul, and making wise the simple." Thus he works by his Ministers, and with them. The power, grace, and glory are his. All their sufficiency is of Him. Of themselves they can neither think nor do any thing that is good. But still, without them he seldom

carries on the work of grace in the soul; and thus puts honour on the Office, which He has himself appointed. "We then, as Workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain." In discoursing on these words, I shall endeavour,

I. To shew what is meant by receiving God's Grace in vain.

II. To dissuade you from receiving it

thus.

I. Grace, in its strict and proper sense, means undeserved favour: a Gift freely bestowed, without any respect to merit in the person to whom it is given (for, as the Apostle argues, "otherwise grace is no more grace"*), and springing solely from the compassion and kindness of the Giver. By the Grace of God" in the text, we are to understand the Gospel, or that rich provision of unmerited mercy, which God has made known to us through his Son Jesus Christ. Now this Gospel is altogether of grace. It was wholly unmerited by Man. It was freely bestowed on him. God, "who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us," sent his Son to be our Saviour. Hence the Gospel is called "the Gospel of the Grace of God:" and we are Romans, xi. 6.