From this subject we may learn,
1. The antiquity of the Gospel —
[Whenever Salvation by the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus is insisted on, it is exclaimed against as a new doctrine: but it is none other than " the good old wayk," which has been pointed out by our Reformers, by the Apo- stles, by the Prophets, and by God himself from the beginning of the world. God shewed it to our first parents immediately after their fall : he shewed it them not only by a prophetical declaration, but also by an emblematical exhibition. And our very clothing in which we are so apt to pride ourselves, would, if we considered the origin and occasion of it, lead us to that way, even to Jesus, in whom alone we can find right- eousness and life. Let us then hold fast the Gospel, without regarding the senseless cavils of the world : and while " the proud make it only a stumbling-block, and the conceited reject it as foolishness," let us receive and glory in it as " the power of God and the wisdom of God."]
2. The necessity of embracing it —
[Like our first parents, we are ready to rest in the seals of the covenant (as baptism and the Lord's supper), instead of fleeing to the Saviour himself. But whatever devices we use for the reconciling of ourselves to God, they will all prove vain and useless : we shall find them " a bed too short to stretch ourselves upon, and a covering too narrow to wrap ourselves in1." There was one way appointed from the be- ginning : that way has been progressively displayed, and illus- trated in different ages ; but it has never been altered, no not in the slightest degree. " There never has been any other name whereby we could be saved, but that of Jesus Christ m ;" and the only difference between us and the Jews, or us and Adam, is, that we behold in meridian splendour the truths, of which they saw only the early dawn. Let us be persuaded then that all access to life by the first covenant is stopped ; and that all plans for covering our own shame will be in vain. We must all be accepted through one sacrifice, and all be clothed in one righteousness ; and all comply with that direc- tion of the prophet, " In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory."]
k Jer. vi. 10. ' Isai. xxviii. 20. m Acts iv. 12.