This was a discovery of grace that infinitely transcends the comprehension of men or angels.]
3. In the peculiar advantage with which it was attained —
[If Adam had retained his innocence, we also should have stood in him as our representative. "We should however have possessed only a creature's righteousness; but in Christ we possess the righteousness of God himself"1. Our reward therefore may well be augmented in proportion to the excel- lence of that, for which we are accepted : besides, the glory of God is infinitely more displayed in Christ, than ever it would have been if Adam had not fallen. Our happiness therefore, in beholding it, must be greatly increased. Thus our restora- tion through Christ will bring us to the enjoyment of far greater happiness than ever we lost in Adam". What can more fully manifest the superabounding grace of God ?]
Improvement —
1. For caution —
[This doctrine seems liable to the imputation of licen- tiousness. St. Paul foresaw the objection, and answered it0: his answer should satisfy every objector : but the reign of grace consists in destroying every effect of sin ; therefore to indulge sin would be to counteract, and not to promote, the grace of God. Let the professors of religion however be careful to give no room for this objection : let them " put to silence the ignorance of foolish men by well-doing."]
2. For encouragement —
[How strange is it that any should despair of mercy! The infinite grace of God has been exhibited in many striking instances1*. Let us seek to become monuments of this mercy : let us not indeed " sin, that grace may abound ;" but let us freely acknowledge how much sin has abounded in us, and yet expect through Christ " abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness."]
m 2 Cor. v. 21.
n Rom. v. 15. This point is insisted on from ver. 15 to 19.
0 Rom. vi. 1, 2. p Luke vii. 47. 1 Tim. i. 14, 16.