possible means, the destined period. Even supposing that their national conversion were not near at hand, I should say, it is nearer than it was in the Apostle's days ; and that if he, at that distant period, laboured to the utmost to turn to the faith of Christ the remnant of God's hidden ones among them, much more should we do it now : and therefore I commend to you this part of my subject, as deserving at all times the deepest attention1 ]
But that we may bring home the promise to our- selves, let us consider,
III. The effect which the contemplation of it should produce on us —
Have we any hope that we are of the number of God's elect ? Let the thought of his promised mercy fill us with,
1. Humiliation —
[Can we reflect a moment on the thought that our sins are thus blotted out, and not stand amazed at the riches of God's sovereign grace ? Truly, we should be altogether lost in wonder, love, and praise : and the more assured our hope is, that God has forgiven us, the more determined we should be never to forgive ourselves. We should go softly all our days, in the remembrance of our sins ; and should " lothe our- selves for our abominations," in proportion as we hope that " God is pacified towards usk."]
2. Gratitude —
[What bounds should there be to our thankfulness before God ? Methinks our language day and night should be, " What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me ?" This, at all events, we should do : we should shew our indig- nation against sin, which is so hateful in his eyes ; and take occasion from his mercies to devote ourselves to him in a way of holy and unreserved obedience1.]
3. Affiance —
[St. Paul well says, " If God spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things ?" The same conclusion would I draw from that perfect forgiveness which God vouchsafes to his believing people : Has he so blotted out our iniquities, and
* If this be a Sermon for the Jews, it should here he shewn that the time then present was peculiarly proper for a fuller consideration of the suhject.
k Ezek. xvi. 63. l Rom. xii. 1.
1088.] god's mercy, and our sinfulness. ;J11
will he refuse us strength to resist and mortify sin in future? Has he rescued us thus from all the powers of darkness, and will he again suffer them to pluck us out of his hands ? No : we may ask with confidence, " Who shall lay any thing to the charge of (rod's elect," or condemn so much as one of his be- lieving people ? In all that he has done, in redeeming us from death, he has given us a pledge of what he will hereafter do ; and never will he suffer any one to " separate us from his love in Christ Jesus our Lord"1."]
m Rom. viii. 32 — 39.