great day." The difference between them and us is this : they are actually suffering the punishment of their sins ; we are respited for a season : they are irremediably doomed to per- dition ; for us a remedy is provided, so that we may yet have redemption and forgiveness, if we seek it in God's appointed way.
Labour, I pray you, to realize this idea in your minds : for it is only by apprehending justly your condition without the Gospel, that you can be prepared for a participation of its blessings.]
2. What is expressed —
[" Redemption " is provided for us, and " forgiveness " is offered to us, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and " through the blood" of his cross. The Lord Jesus Christ has, by his own obedience unto death, "obtained eternal redemp- tion for us," having suffered in his own person all that was due to our sins, and having so fulfilled the law in our stead, as to bring in an everlasting righteousness, whereby we may be justified. In Him are these blessings treasured up for us, and " out of his fulness may be received by us." By believing in him, we become interested in all that he has done and suffered for us, and attain the actual possession of the
blessings he has purchased for us
This is, in few words, the sum and substance of the Gospel ; as St. John has plainly told us ; " This is the record, (the Gospel record,) that God hath given to us eternal life ; and this life is in his Son : he that hath the Son, hath life ; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not lifea."]
The point to which we would more particularly turn your attention, is,
II. The character of the Gospel —
It is a dispensation,
1. "Rich in grace" —
[All " the glorious riches of God's grace " are here dis- played. Consider the means by which this redemption is procured ; even by the incarnation and death of God's only- begotten Son Consider the persons for whom it is
provided : not for angels, (they are left to reap for ever the bitter consequences of their sin ;) but for men, who wei*e an
order of beings far inferior to them Consider how it
is that any become interested in this redemption : it is in con- sequence of their having been from all eternity elected and
a 1 John v. 11, 12.