my demand must be, that they who plead the obe- dience of the Lord Jesus Christ for them, may stand accepted through his righteousness ; and may be rewarded with eternal life, precisely as they would have been, if they had themselves fulfilled all that I required of them. Nay, I would even go further, and ask, that they may be recompensed with a higher degree of glory than they ever could have attained by their own obedience ; because the obedience and sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ their Saviour have done infinitely greater honour to me than ever could have been done either by the obedience or sufferings of the whole world.'
Listen, then, I entreat you, to the counsels of this instructor. They are safe : nor can they be resisted, but at the peril of your souls. Only get a clear understanding of that question, " Wherefore, then, serveth the law?" and then you will be prepared for all the blessings of the Gospel, and find in Christ all that your necessities require.
An illustration of my whole subject shall now place it in a point of view in which it cannot possibly be misapprehended. O that God may be graciously pleased to open all our hearts, to discern, to embrace, to realize the truth as it shall now be exhibited be- fore you ! We have supposed you all to be condemned by the law ; and to be precisely in the condition of the Israelites when bitten by the fiery serpents ; inca- pable of restoring yourselves to health, or of finding any healing balm in the whole universe. What now shall be done ? Death is sweeping you off in quick succession ; and, ah ! whither is it bearing you ? But for you, who are yet alive, can no remedy be found ? Yes: Moses shall point out a remedy; — that very Moses, who gave the law, and denounced the curse against all who should transgress it; — that very Moses, I say, shall be your instructor and counsellor : and " if you believe Moses, you shall believe in Christ." By God's command he erected a brazen serpent ; and proclaimed the joyful tidings, that all who should look