precision, that it should be impossible for any consi- derate mind not to see and understand the way of salvation ; if Prophets and Apostles, for such a series of ages, bare witness to him at the peril of their lives, in order that we might know him, and be partakers of his benefits ; does it become us to despise it all, as if it were no better than a cunningly-devised fable ? Surely, we must see that it is our bounden duty to flee for refuge to this hope that is set before us. We must remember what the very term " Salvation" im- plies : it implies, that we are lost : for if in ourselves we be not lost, we cannot need a Saviour. But we are lost, every one of us ; for We are sinners, con- demned by God's righteous law ; and " the wrath of God abideth on us." I fear it will appear harsh to say, that we are in this respect on a footing with the fallen angels, even with " the spirits that are already in the prison" of hell. But, if I say the truth before God, this is the only difference between them and us : they are lost beyond redemption ; whereas we, though lost, have salvation offered to us : but, if we neglect this salvation, we shall perish, under a load of guilt beyond all expression aggravated, and under a punishment beyond all conception terrible. What- ever may have been the guilt of the fallen angels, from this, at least, they are free; they have never poured contempt on a redeeming God, never rejected a proffered salvation : but these are the sins that will be charged on us, if we embrace not the salvation which is revealed to us in the Gospel.
I say, then, to every soul before me, seek this salvation which the Jews have brought unto you : seek it simply, mixing nothing with it, but relying altogether on the atoning blood of Christ, " who, though he knew no sin, was made sin for you, that you, who had no righteousness, might be made the righteousness of God in him." And seek it humbly, confessing over the Lord Jesus Christ your every sin, and transferring it by faith to his sacred head. In point of dependence, you must renounce your most righteous acts as much as your vilest sins ; and you