Let this be duly considered, and it will remove the greatest obstruction in our minds to the reception of these deep mys- terious truths. When once we see, that they secure infallibly the attainment of holiness in the way to glory, and that no man is entitled to think himself one of God's elect, any farther than the holiness of his life bears testimony to him, we shall soon renounce our prejudices, and willingly concede to sovereign grace the whole glory of our salvation.]
3. In a way of wisdom and prudence —
[Truly this great salvation is the most stupendous effort both of wisdom and prudence ; of wisdom, in its contrivance, and of prudence, in its administration. How wonderfully does it mark God's indignation against sin, even at the moment that it extends mercy to the sinner ; since it shews the sinner, and constrains him to acknowledge, that, if the wrath due to him had not been borne by his Surety, he never could have been saved at all. It shews him farther, that in this way of salva- tion through the sacrifice of the Son of God, all the Divine perfections are glorified ; insomuch that, whilst the claims of justice and mercy appear to oppose each other, they so har- monize together, that justice is exercised in a way of mercy, and mercy in a way of justice. Further, in this way of salva- tion the soul of the believer is so peneti'ated with wonder and with love, that he cannot but yield himself up unreservedly to God, and count a thousand lives too little to consecrate to his service, or to sacrifice for his glory. Nor is there less of pru- dence in the administration of it, than there is of wisdom in its contrivance : for, notwithstanding it is dispensed in a sovereign way altogether according to God's good pleasure, he never interferes with the liberty of the human will, nor ever draws any one but by " the cords of a man." It is by presenting truth to the mind, and motives to the heart, that he overcomes men, and " makes them willing in the day of his power." In- finitely various are the ways in which he dispenses his blessings : and even at this time his people are able to see most unsearch- able wisdom in the way in which he has dealt with them, so as to make them see in the clearest light the extent of their obligations to him, and to furnish them with songs of praise, which each is ready to think he shall sing the loudest of any in the kingdom of heaven. Moreover, so infallible are the means he uses, that he never failed in any one instance to accomplish in any soul the purposes of his grace, or to carry on and perfect the work he had begun. Well then may it be said, in reference to " the riches of his grace" which he has dis- pensed to us, that " he hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence."]