sorrow, the burden of guilt lies heavy upon you, and even the present brings you no comfort, for still you feel your own helplessness and sinfulness. You are ready to despond.

Do not despond. It was even while Joshua was clothed in "filthy garments," that the word went forth, "Take away the filthy garments from him." "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." You are in "filthy garments" too; you feel it, you grieve for it; seek the blood of Jesus even now, and believe that you too shall be made clean. Is it not just what you want, and what you most earnestly desire, that your iniquity may pass from you, that your sins may be blotted out? This is the very thing that this history encourages you to believe. God does forgive, fully and at once, all who come to Him by Christ Jesus. He takes away their iniquity, pardons their sins, and receives them into His favour. He will do so for you.

"A brand plucked out of the fire" seems to express a state of past misery and danger greater even than being clothed in "filthy garments." Your fears make you may make think that you are even

But

now in that danger. And indeed perhaps you are, for all are so who are without Christ. none are so who have sought and found Christ. Whatever their danger was before, they are now saved from it by Him, "plucked out of the fire." The very words, so strong and startling, seem to express the greatness of the deliverance. God offers it to you in Christ; to save you from all that your sins have deserved, to deliver you from an evil conscience, to set you free from your load of guilt, to pluck you as a brand out of the fire. Oh, believe this! Embrace the offer, so full and free. All sinful as you are, cast yourself upon the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. It is a matter of life and death; it is a thing that will admit of no delay. Happy will you be when God by His Spirit shall speak pardon and peace within your heart," Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee."

"Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" Lord, grant it for Christ's sake!

23

CHAPTER III.

AT PEACE WITH GOD.

ROMANS V. 1-11.

1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4. And patience, experience; and experience, hope :

5. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in

our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

6. For when we

were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

10. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

11. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

EVEN to lie on a sick-bed, at peace with God, is happy. For to be at peace with God must be

The Apostle

happy, under any circumstances. begins with the happiness, and then goes on to speak of the tribulations; as if he would have the afflicted Christian first be filled with thoughts of his happy state, as being justified by faith and at peace with God, and then look at his trials in the light of that happiness.

What comforting words!

Therefore, being

justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." The believer is justified from his sins, that is, he is reckoned innocent by God. This is by his faith, his faith in Christ. He is guilty, but for Christ's sake he is reckoned guiltless. For Christ has died for him, and he believes. When he is thus justified, he is at peace with God. It was sin that made him not at peace. Now that the sin is forgiven and taken away by the blood of Christ, he is at peace. But all through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is all of grace, through faith.

When we are thus at peace with God through Christ, then we can draw near to Him without fear. "We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand;" into this state of favour and acceptance to which God has brought us, and in

B