(3.) ' For us all ' — the persons for whom ; for the cursed race of fallen Adam, who had no strength to do anything for themselves; who had cast away the mercies of our creation, and were senseless of our misery and careless of our remedy ; had abused the goodness of his bounty and patience, and were utterly lost to God and themselves. The whole time that we lived in the world showed God's sparing us, but yet he spared not Christ. Every moment we lived after the committing of sin was the fruit of God's indulgence ; the arrow is upon the string, only God respiteth execution, and took this way of redemption by Christ that we might be discharged, not only from the hurt, but the fear of his wrath and curse due to us.
Secondly, God having laid this foundation, let us see what a super- structure of grace is built thereon. He doth freely give us all things ; all good things are the gift of God, James i. 17. And whatever God giveth, he giveth freely, for there can be no pre-obligation upon him : Kom. xi. 35, ' Who hath given him first ? ' But here the chief thing considerable is the largeness of the gift, he will give all things. This comprehensive and capacious expression includeth much comfort ia its bosom. Let us explain it a little ; both the creature and the creator, from God to the poorest thing in the world, through Jesus Christ all is ours : Eev. xxi. 7, ' He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.' God himself maketli over himself to his children, who is all in all ; he doth enjoy God, and all things besides which may be a blessing to him. He is ours that hath all things and can do all things ; and what can the soul desire more ?
2. This ' all things' reacheth to the two worlds ; heaven and earth are laid at the foot of a believer: 1 Tim. iv. 8, 'But godliness is profitable to all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.' Here God is not wanting to his people, but the gift and grace promised is eternal life.
3. This ' all things ' concerneth the whole man — the body and the soul. The body is in covenant with God as well as the soul, and therefore it is provided for by the covenant. We feel not only the comfort of it at the last day, when it is raised up as a part of Christ's mystical body, but for the present ; the bodily life exposeth us to manifold necessities ; but Mat. vi. 33, ' First seek the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.'
VeR. 32.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VHI, 341
He that hath any place or office hath the perquisites of the place or office. Now for the soul : 2 Peter i. 2, ' The divine power hath given us all things necessary to life and godliness ; ' meaning by life internal grace, and by godliness the fruit of it, a holy conversation. There is not only tlie remote inclination, but the actual readiness, yea the final accomplishment, will, and deed, Phil. ii. 13.
4. All things that are for our real advantage, of what nature soever they be : 1 Cor. iii. 21, ' All things are yours ; ' ordinances, providences, death, the connection between both the worlds, whatever belongeth to our happiness, and will further us to the kingdom of glory, for God is engaged — ' No good thing will he withhold,' Ps. Ixxxiv. 11. Well then, is not a christian, completely provided for that hath God and the creature, heaven and earth, pardon and life, grace and glory — that is, reconciled to God by the death of Christ, and saved by his life — pro- tection and maintenance, and a sanctified portion in this world, and the happiness of the life to come? A christian, that is safe among friends and enemies, that liveth in communion with God here, and shall dwell for ever with him hereafter, is he not well provided for?
Thirdly, The strength and the force of the inference. Certainly this broad and ample foundation will support the building, though the top of it mount above the clouds, and be carried so high as the glory to come.
1 . Because the giving of Christ is a sign and pledge of his great love to us. And what will not love, and great love, do for those whom it loveth ? John iii. 16, ' God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son.' He doth not tell you how, but leaveth you to admire and rejoice at so unspeakable and unconceivable love ; and 1 John iv. 10, ' Herein is love, not that we loved God, but God loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins.' The apostle awakeneth our drowsy thoughts — ' Herein is love,' here is a full, manifest, real proof of his love ; it is commended to us, set before our thoughts, Kom. v. 8. Christ's love resteth not in good wishes, or the kind affection of his heart, but breaketh foi'th into action and evidence, and real performance. Nay, it is not only real, but glorious ; things may be demonstrated as real which }'et are not commended or set forth as great. Sometimes God professeth liis love to a people — ' I have loved you ; ' but because they were afflicted and miserable, they expostulate with this bold reply, Mai. i. 2, ' Wherein hast thou loved us ? ' Now here is a full and clear demonstration of it — ' He spared not his own Son.' Now what may not we promise ourselves from this great love? Hereby we see how much his heart is set upon our salvation ; therefore no fear but he will carry it through. God is in good earnest with you, or he would never have made such provision ; in short, he would never have given up Christ to be betrayed and sentenced ■ and crucified, and to die for a sinful world, if he had not been in good earnest in his love.