majesty of Christ. He speaks of Him as '* the bride- groom" of the Church, — as " him that cometh from above," — as " him whom God hath sent," — as "him to whom the Spirit is given without measure," — as Him " whom the Father loves," and into " whose hands all things are given," — ^to believe in whom is life everlasting, and to reject whom is eternal ruin. Each of these phrases is full of deep meaning, and would supply matter for a long ser- mon. All show the depth and height of John's spiritual attainments. More honourable things are nowhere written concerning Jesus, than these verses recorded as spoken by John the Baptist.
Let us endeavour in life and death, to hold the same views of the Lord Jesus, to which John here gives expres- sion. We can never make too much of Christ. Our thoughts about the Church, the ministry, and the sacra- ments, may easily become too high and extravagant. We can never have too high thoughts about Christ, can never love Him too much, trust Him too implicitly, lay too much weight upon Him, and speak too highly in His praise. He is worthy of all the honour that we can give Him. He will be all in heaven. Let us see to it, that He is all in our hearts on earth.
We have, lastly, in these verses, a broad assertion of the nearness and presentness of the salvation of true Chris- tians. John the Baptist declares, " He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." He is not intended to look forward with a sick heart to a far distant privilege. He " hath" everlasting life as soon as he believes. Pardon, peace, and a complete title to Heaven, are an immediate possession. They become a believer's own, from the very moment he puts faith in Christ. They will not be more completely his own, if he lives to the age of Methuselah.
The truth before us, is one of the most glorious privileges of the Gospel. There are no works to be done, no condi-