depend on the skill of the captain ; or that the management of the vessel had not been committed to ourselves ; or that God, when he formed the world, placed a rock in that particular situation, notwithstanding he foresaw, from all eternity, that our ship would be wrecked upon it : all such thoughts at that time would be vain : our only consideration under such cir- cumstances should be, how shall I be saved from perishing? And if we saw a ship hastening towards us for our preserva- tion, we should be wholly occupied in contriving how we might secure the proffered aid. This, I say, is precisely our case : we are lost in Adam : but that God, who foresaw that we should be wrecked in him, provided his only dear Son to be a Saviour to us ; and has sent him to save all who feel their need of mercy, and are willing to enter into this ark of God. Behold then, brethren, what your duty is : it is to " flee for refuge to the hope that is set before you." If you feel a rebellious thought arise, why did God make me thus ? let it be answered in the way prescribed by the Apostle, " Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against Godh?" If you were not consulted about your dependence on Adam, were you consulted about the appointment of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the way of recovery by him? No: this was the unsolicited gift of God, who determined thus to glorify himself in blessing and exalting you. Embrace then, with all thankfulness, the salvation offered you in the Gospel. Lay hold on Christ : rely upon him : place all your hope in his obedience unto death ; seek for justification solely through his blood and righteous- ness : and expect to receive from him all, yea " exceeding abundantly above all that ye can either ask or think."1]
h Rom. ix. 20.
1 The corruption that we derive from Adam, is a totally distinct subject from that treated of in the text ; and on that account is left unnoticed here.