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subject. The impression to be left upon our understandings and affections from what has thus far been stated, refers chiefly to Christ, as glorified in the redemption, whether considered in its general or special character. And the fruit should be,-increase of admiration directed to Jehovah, the God of salvation,-love and zeal for the eternal Son, by whom such a salvation has been wrought,and preparation of mind to an enlarged sense of the glorious office of the Holy Ghost, by whom this revelation is given, and in whose omnipotent grace it is effectually applied to the redeemed. Our meditations, therefore, have food for their exercise and for their growth; and if such subjects be received in faith, we shall experimentally know that they are purifying and elevating in their tendency. They are calculated to bring us out from such a confined view of the benefits of redemption, as puts us into the danger of being, in measure at least, selfish even on Christian ground; and they provide matter whereon the affections may feed in a holy disinterestedness. that we can separate the glory of Christ from our glory, nor the excellence of the redemption from the blessedness of the redeemed; but we shall be disposed to turn our eyes in

Not

simplicity most upon Him, the object of faith, and thence to derive our individual enjoyments and hope. Be this our aim! let us read the Scriptures with diligent search after this precious revelation, and ask the operation of the Spirit for the power to say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand in the latter day upon the earth." Job xix. 25.

IV. THE ELECTION IN CHRIST
JESUS.

SUCH truths as we have already examined necessarily lead us onwards to further wonders of the everlasting salvation that is in Jesus Christ, and bring us to the conclusion, that the redemption established in the person and work of Christ involves the great question of an Election in Him. On this fact the book of inspiration speaks with undeviating simplicity. Here we learn, that since it hath pleased God to undertake the recovery of the sinner, so likewise hath it pleased him to determine who shall be so recovered; he will ensure the honor of his purpose-he will determine the glory of Christ-he will establish the expectations of his redeemed. In order to these great resolves, we shall perceive an election to be necessary, and a little inquiry and reflection will convince us that it is also

an expression and exhibition of matchless wis

dom and grace.

Accepting the doctrine of the fall of man, we necessarily admit that in order to his restoration, he must be lifted up. Believing that in the fall he lost every spiritual capability of action before God, we conclude that he is not able to raise up himself. Receiving the assertion of the Scriptures, that man is in determined enmity against his God, we acknowledge that it were unreasonable to imagine that he will voluntarily return to his Maker, or desire communion with the God whom he forsook. Reading the testimony, "Ye are dead in trespasses and sins," we dismiss from our expectation any idea of spiritual movement, to be evinced by a creature thus lifeless.

That these great articles of faith are exhibited in the Bible cannot be denied; for the Holy Ghost has in merciful faithfulness expounded to man the extent of his misery as a rebel and alien, and has concluded all under sin, under curse, and in hopeless ruin; shewing us that the whole earth is corrupt, and that there is none that doeth good, none that seeketh after God.

It were profitable to us to meditate in simplicity of mind upon such revelations, and

to bring ourselves to an understanding of the nature and extent of human corruption: were this awful truth well understood and humbly experienced, we should be possessed of clear and irresistible confirmation of the doctrine of election, as not only desirable, but necessary, in order to the salvation of any individual sinner. We are not to be surprised that the doctrine is generally denied, dreaded, and caluminated. It suits not the pride and independence of a haughty transgressor, thus utterly to deprive man of boasting, and thus wholly to give glory to God's sovereignty. And a blind sinner, to whom the things of God are foolishness, must be supposed ready with his sophistical arguments, or proud resentment, to stand out against the proclamation heard from heaven, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy." We are unwilling to believe that we are so entirely lost― we would fain hope that there remaineth some good thing within us-at least the ability to will what is good; and we labour, by subtle pretence of zeal for the honour of the divine name, and the establishment of divine justice, to throw down the doctrine of the election of God, and in its place to substitute the will of

man.

Sad exchange to such as have any

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