malignity, and with all their numberless aggravations. He feels that a sense of his disease is necessary to an enjoyment of the remedy : and the more he sees his own guilt and helplessness, the more he glories in Christ as a suitable and all-sufficient Saviour. The very impossibility of being saved in any other way than through the blood and righteousness of Christ, con- strains him to look altogether to Christ, as " the very chief of sinners," who shall to all eternity be held forth as a specimen of what the grace of God could effect". The thought that the extent and riches of redeeming love will be pre-eminently displayed in him, perfectly reconciles him to the idea of -having all his sins exposed before the assembled universe ; since the Saviour will be most glorified in those whom he has redeemed from the deepest death. Let me not however be mistaken. The believer is not indifferent to his past sins ; (for he mourns over them to his dying hour:) much less does he think it a desirable thing for a person to commit great sins in order that Christ may be magnified in the forgiveness of them ; (for that would be to make Christ himself " a minister of sin0:" but seeing that his sins have been great, he derives consolation from the thought, that " where sin has abounded, the grace of Christ shall much more abound ; and that, as sin has reigned unto death, even so shall grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lordp."]
2. In the view of all his present infirmities —
[These would quite overwhelm his spirits, if his eyes were not opened to see on what " a Mighty One help had been laid for him4." He could not hope to maintain his peace one hour, but that he knows he has an Advocate with the Father, ever ready to intercede for him ; and that that very " Advocate is also a propitiation for all his sins1." In Christ too he beholds a fulness of grace treasured up for him ; of grace ever ready, and all-sufficient for him, in his greatest necessities. Hence, so far from being discouraged by a sense of his weakness, he even derives consolation and encouragement from it ; just as St. Paul did, who says, " I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake : for when I am weak, then am I strong s." The thought that " the strength of Christ will be made perfect," and manifested to be perfect, " in his weakness," turns the sense which he has of his weakness into a ground of joy, and makes him even to " glory in his infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon him*."]
n 1 Tim. i. 16. ° Gal. ii. 17. P Rom. v. 20, 21.
Q Ps. lxxxix. 19. r 1 John ii. 2. s 2 Cor. xii. 10.
1 2 Cor. xii. 9.