7.]
quarter of the globe, from the most blinded votaries of Satan amongst the Heathen, as well as from his more specious ser- vants amongst ourselves ! See the weakest of the children of men enabled to triumph over him, and, though persecuted like their divine Master, "made more than conquerors through him that loved them I" This is going forward amongst ourselves : so that you see the most devoted vassals of Satan casting off his yoke, and " brought into the liberty of the sons of God :" and soon shall you behold those whom once he held in the most miserable bondage, seated upon thrones of glory, and actually sitting in judgment upon the angels, as assessors with their divine Master d. Yes : it is but a little time, and the seed of Christ, as well as Christ himself, will be seated upon thrones of glory ; whilst Satan, and his seed, shall be cast into the lake of lire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Such is the prophecy before us : and in this way is it ac- complishing yet daily ; and shall be accomplished, till the final destinies of each shall terminate the contest for evermore.]
Behold then, brethren,
1 . How marvellous is the grace of God !
[Think under what circumstances he made this promise to man. He had placed our first parents in Paradise, where there was every thing that could conduce to their happiness ; and he himself visited and communed with them, as a friend. Y"et did they, on the very first temptation, violate his express command: and then, instead of humbling themselves before him, they fled from him ; and, when summoned into his pre- sence, excused themselves, and even cast the blame of their iniquity on him: — " The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat : The woman, whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat." What might we expect now that he should do unto them ? surely, that he should consign them over to the misery they deserved. But no: unsought and unsolicited, he promised them a Saviour, even his only dear Son, who should rescue both them and all their believing posterity out of the hands of their great adversary. Now then, I ask. If God, unsolicited, bestowed the Saviour him- self on these impenitent offenders, will he refuse salvation
to any penitent who calls upon him? — Let no sinner
in the universe despond : but let every one see in this prophecy how abundant and inconceivable is the grace of God ]
2. How complete shall be the victory of all who believe in Christ !
11 1 Cor. vi. 2, 3.