lieve it, or not, so it is : nor are light and darkness, Christ and Behal, heaven and hell, further asunder, tlian are the children of God, and the children of the wicked one ^]
3. The use and excellency of the Gospel —
[It is the Gospel alone that can bi'ing a man into this happy state. Nothing else can shew him how to draw nigh to God with acceptance, or to obtain reconciliation with him. This exhibits to us a Saviour ; a Saviour, who bought us with his blood. This brings us into union with that Saviour, so that we are made " one spirit with him%" and are entitled to a participation of all that he himself possesses ; " of the love wherewith the Father loveth him '' ;" of " the joy with v.hich his soul is filled "^ ;" and " of the glory which the Father hath given to him ''." Here is the true secret of the difference of which we have before spoken. The Believer is viewed as in Christ ; as washed in his blood ; as clothed in his righteous- ness ; as altogether " one with him, even as the Father and Christ are one *." This accounts for all which we have be- fore mentioned of the Believer's peculiar and exalted privi- leges. liCt me then intreat you, Beloved, to embrace the Gospel without delay ; seeing that through that alone you can have access to God, and obtain that fellowship with him which it is your privilege to enjoy.]
To COXCLUDE —
[Bear in mind to whom these privileges belong : they be- long exclusively to " the righteous man." The ungodly and the hypocrite have no part hi them. Seek then to attain the character of the righteous : seek it by faith in tlie Lord Jesus; " by whose obedience you shall be made righteous V and by whose all-powerful grace you shall " be renewed after the Divine image in I'ighteousness and true holiness "." Then shall all these blessings be yours. You shall be *"' a people near unto God**:" yea, you shall " have power with God, and shall prevail','' in all your supplications, even for others you shall prevail to a great extent : but for yourselves you shall obtain all the blessings both of grace and glory.]
*2Cor. vi. 14 — 16. »lCor. vi. 17. '' John xvii. 23.
'Johnxvii. 13. "^ ib. ver. 22. *ib. ver. 21.
^ Rev. v. 19. « Eph. iv. 24. '' P=. cxlviii. 14. ' Hos. xii, 4.