II. The importance of his conclusion —
If God has constituted Jesus both Lord and Christ, then we may know assuredly,
1. That Christ is our only Lord and Saviour —
[The force of this was felt by Peter's audience, insomuch that three thousand of them instantly obeyed the heavenly mandate, and surrendered up themselves to be saved and governed by him alone. Precisely in this manner must we devote ourselves to him : we must not be contented with " calling him Lord, Lord," but must feel the same need of him as they did, and cast ourselves upon him for mercy, and consecrate ourselves entirely to his service g. We must admit no other
ground of hope but his obedience unto death we must
suffer no " other Lord to have dominion over us :" but,
having been bought by him with his most precious blood, we must " glorify him with our bodies and our spirits, which are his."]
2. That he is an all-sufficient Saviour — [Whatever we can want, he is exalted to bestow. Do
we need forgiveness of sins? He is empowered to grant it. Do we need repentance ? He can impart that also. This we are assured of, on the testimony of Peter and all the other Apostles. What joyful tidings are these ! Hear them, all ye who are labouring under a sense of guilt; and know, that " the blood of Jesus Christ is able to cleanse you from all sin :"
and ye, who mourn on account of the hardness of
your hearts., know that he can " take away the heart of stone,
and give you an heart of flesh " —If God the Father
has constituted him " Head over all things to the Church," you need not fear, but that there shall be found in his fulness an ample supply for all your necessities'1 ]
3. That none shall ever look to him in vain —
[" Him that cometh unto me," says Christ, " I will in no wise cast out " What then have we to do with desponding thoughts? Has God thus exalted his Son, and will he dis- appoint those who trust in him ? No : it cannot be : " he never did," nor ever will, " say to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye my face in vain." Did the vilest person in the universe only desire mercy as much as God delights to exercise it, he would
in one instant be purged from all his sin We need
only look to the effect of Peter's sermon on the murderous
g ver. 37, 38.
h St. Paul pursues the same line of argument as St. Peter, and founds upon it this consolatory truth. Acts xiii. 35 — 39. See also Ileb. vii. 25.