we are found, when he sends his Holy Spirit to apply that re- demption to us : we were fallen after the example of the apostate angels; yet God passed by them, and delivered up his own Son for us : we are still " enemies to God in our minds by wicked works," and are actually fighting against God with all our might ; and yet does he subdue us by " the rod of his strength," and make " his Gospel to be the power of God to the salvation of our souls." And must we not stand amazed at this difference which is put between us and the fallen angels ? must we not adore that sovereignty which " chose us in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world q," and in due season exalts us to thrones of glory; yea, which in many instances favours the vilest of publicans and harlots in preference to learned Scribes and self-applauding Phariseesr: We are told indeed, that God designed by his Gospel to display " the ex- ceeding riches of his grace s : " and this end is thoroughly accom- plished : for wherever the Gospel is received, it invariably magnifies his grace in the eyes of men : ' Why didst thou choose me, Lord ? Why was I made to comply with thine invitations, while so many were suffered to decline them, and to perish in their sins?' Scarcely the gift of Christ himself will furnish matter for more admiration and gratitude in heaven than this : or rather, I should say, the greatness of the gift, and the sove- reignty with which it is bestowed, will be interwoven with each other in everlasting hallelujahs.]
2. His truth and faithfulness —
[The redemption given us in Christ was a subject of pro- phecy, as well as that which was vouchsafed to the Jews through the instrumentality of Cyrus. And when Christ was sent into the world, the truth and faithfulness of God were most conspi- cuously displayed. Of these, the aged and inspired priest more particularly expressed his admiration ; repeatedly blessing and praising God for " performing the promises made by the mouth of his holy Prophets, and remembering the oath which he had sworn to our father Abraham1." Nor is the truth of God to be noticed only in sending us a Redeemer : it is equally visible in applying redemption to our souls. There is not one that ever partakes of this redemption, but in consequence of his having been "given to Christ" before the foundation of the world11: nor is one brought finally to the complete enjoyment of it in heaven, but his continued preservation through all his perils and conflicts is an accomplishment of that promise, " I will never leave thee nor forsake theex." Surely at the end of
i Eph. i. 4. r Matt. xxi. 31.
s Eph. i. G, 7. and ii. 7. ' Luke i. 68, 70, 72, 73.
u John xvh. 6. 2 Tim. i. 9. x Heb. xiii. 5.