[It calls on no man to purchase salvation by any merits of his own ; but offers it " freely to all, without money and without price a." The light of the sun is not more freely given than this, provided we be willing to accept it. We may see how free it was in its first offer to man in Paradise. Our first parents even fled from their Maker, instead of imploring mercy at his hands ; and God followed them, and, without any solici- tation on their part, promised them that " the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's headb." Thus it is in every instance that occurs ; " He is found of them who sought him not, and made known to them who inquired not after hime."]
3. It actually confers salvation on all who will receive the inspired declarations —
[The instant the word is received in faith, it becomes " effectual to turn you from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God." The sins of him who receives it are " blotted out as a morning cloud," and his soul is " made a partaker of a divine nature :" he is also admitted into the number of God's children d, and " his name is written in heaven." Say, brethren, whether this be not true ? Say whether some of you, at least, cannot attest it by your own blessed expe- rience? Then you see how justly that Gospel which we preach unto you is called " The word of salvation." There is no other word whereby any man can be saved : nor does any man truly receive this, without being saved by it. Hence, then, if you would understand it aright, and appreciate it aright, you must view it in this light, and receive it for the end for which alone it is revealed.]
Having stated the true nature of the Gospel, I now proceed to,
II. Execute the commission which we bear in rela- tion to it —
St. Paul had a mixed audience of Jews and Gen- tiles. The former he addressed as " the stock of Abraham;" the latter he included under those who " fear Gode." Now, though we have not exactly the same description of persons here, we have others who very nearly correspond with them; whom, therefore, we will distinctly address.
1. Those who, on account of their attachment to the law, may be supposed not to need the Gospel salvation —
a Isai. lv. 1. b Gen. iii. 15. c Isai. lxv. 1. d John i. 12. e Compare the text with ver. 42. and with Acts x. 35.