look to that Great Sacrifice which Christ was in due time to offer for the sins of the whole world h.
Thus plainly did he direct them unto Christ, as their only, and all-sufficient Saviour.]
In pointing them thus to Christ, he did most effec- tually consult their everlasting welfare —
[The way of salvation by faith in Christ is -plain, suitable, safe, and glorious. Nothing can be more plain. Suppose a person about to be imprisoned for debt has that debt dis- charged by a surety ; he will see as clear as the light what is the true ground of his deliverance. Such then is the deli- verance which we have by Christ And this way of
salvation is suitable. If you were to propose auy other method whatever, it would be altogether unsuitable for fallen
man but this is suited to the greatest of sinners ; and
that too even in their dying hour How safe it is,
must appear to all who consider that Christ is God equal with the Father ; that he assumed our nature, and died upon the cross, on purpose to make atonement for us ; and that the promise and oath of Jehovah are pledged for the acceptance
of all who truly believe in Christ And glorious will it
be found to all eternity, inasmuch as all the perfections of the Deity are honoured by it, and the happiness of all that shall be saved is enhanced by it beyond all calculation or conception ]
Address —
1. Those who are careless about their souls —
[We are bound to desire and pray for your salvation : and we hope that in some small measure we can adopt respecting you the language of the text. But you must desire salvation, and pray to God for it yourselves ; or else it will be in vain ever to expect it. We appeal to you, Whether God will or can bestow it upon those who are too proud to ask for it, and too thoughtless to desire it?]
2. Those who are seeking salvation, but in a mis- taken way —
[Do not think it sufficient that you desire to be saved; or that you are zealous in seeking after salvation. The Jews were not only zealous in their way, but confident that they were right ; and yet never attained the object of their pursuit. Remember, you must be humbled; you must be contrite; you must rely on Christ alone ]
3. Those who have obtained mercy of the Lord —
h ver. 2 — 4.