with humility and earnestness, beg of God that "Christ may be made unto me wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption?" These questions are easy enough to be resolved ; and by the answer which conscience gives to them, we may know assuredly whether we be in the way to heaven or to hell. And who does not see how great an excellency this is in the Gospel-salvation ? Who does not see how strongly this circumstance recommends the doctrine in our text ?
Another excellency in the Gospel is, that it is equally suited to all persons in all conditions. Had any self-righteous methods of acceptance been pro- posed to the dying thief, what consolation could he have found ? How little could he do in his few remaining hours ! However he might have admired the goodness of God to others, he must have utterly despaired of mercy himself. But through faith in Christ he was enabled to depart in peace and joy. As to the murderers of our Lord, how long must it have been before they could have entertained any comfortable hope of acceptance ! But the Gospel affords a prospect of salvation to the very chief of sinners, and that, even at the eleventh hour. Nor is there any situation whatever, in which the Gospel is not calculated to comfort and support the soul. Under first convictions of sin, what so delightful as to hear of a Saviour ? Under subsequent trials and temptations, how would our difficulties be increased, if we did not know that " God had laid help upon One that was mighty!" The people of God, not- withstanding the hope which they have in Christ, feel great and heavy discouragements on account of the power of indwelling corruption : they seem often- times to be rolling a stone up the hill, which rushes impetuously down again, and necessitates them to repeat their ineffectual labours. And what would they do if their dependence were not placed on the obedience and sufferings of the Son of God ? Surely they would lie down in despair, and say like those of old, " There is no hope ; I have loved strangers, and