[The Scriptures had foretold the sufferings, and the eon- sequent glory, of the Messiah ; and therefore it ought not to have been a matter of surprise that the events had cor- responded with the predictions. Thus every thing relating to men's acceptance or rejection of the Messiah, is foretold; and, whatever they may think to the contrary, every jot and tittle of it shall be accomplished. The eternal sufferings of the im- penitent and unbelieving, may appear as improbable as the sufferings of the Messiah : and the eternal happiness of the contrite and believing, may seem as unlikely as the exaltation of Jesus, who was crucified. But, in matters that are revealed, we must not reckon upon probabilities or improbabilities : whatever is foretold, is as certain as the power and veracity of God can make it. They who look to our once crucified, but now exalted, Saviour, and make him the sole ground of their hope and confidence, are as sure of being in heaven as if they were already there, provided they continue to exercise faith on him, and shew forth their faith by their works. They, on the contrary, who neglect the Saviour, or make any thing of their own the ground of their confidence, are as sure of everlasting misery as if they were already enduring it in hell, unless they repent, and embrace the Saviour with their whole hearts. That which "ought" to be, according to the Scriptures, shall be: neither the fears of the timid, nor the presumption of the bold, shall at all change the decrees of heaven : yea rather, the agents, whether men or devils, who most labour to counteract the will of God, shall be taken in their own craftiness, and be the active, though unsuspecting, instruments of accomplishing his designs.]
Infer —
1. How awful must have been the state of man that such things should be necessary for his recovery !
[Inexpressibly dreadful must have been that guilt which required the sufferings of God's only dear Son to expiate it; and most deplorable that helplessness which could not be reme- died but by his consequent exaltation to glory. We may judge of the state of man by that to which the fallen angels are reduced. There would have been no difference between them and us to all eternity, if Jesus had not undertaken for us. And such indeed is the state of those who are not interested in the Saviour : for, as far as respects their happiness, it is the same thing not to have a Saviour, and not to be interested in the Saviour that there is ; only indeed their guilt is awfully increased by their contempt of him. Think then of this, ye who neglect the Saviour : as far as respects any hope of mercy, ve are in the condition of the fallen angels, while ye continue