one suppose that he understands the Gospel well enough : this it is that leads men to deride all idea of mystery, and to reduce the Gospel to a system of heathen ethics. This view of our state by nature super- sedes all occasion for the Gospel; every part of which supposes man to be a guilty, polluted, helpless crea- ture ; so guilty, that he deserves the everlasting wrath of God ; so polluted, that he must be made an entire new creature before he can have any enjoyment of God, either now or in the eternal world15 ; and so weak, that he cannot of himself either do a good act, or think a good thought0: and I do not hesitate to affirm, that the very first step towards true wisdom and knowledge is, to renounce all idea of our being " rich and increased in goods, and in need of no- thing ;" and to confess, from our inmost souls, that we are " wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked."
Next, let us contemplate the counsels of the Most High respecting man. From all eternity, God foresaw the state to which the human race would be reduced, and concerted with his only dear Son how to effect their recovery. The Father proposed to his Son to become our Surety and Substitute ; to assume our nature ; to bear our sins ; to expiate our guilt ; to fulfil the law which we had broken, and to satisfy the justice which we had offended; and thus to restore us to happiness, without dishonouring God as the Moral Governor of the universe. The Son accepts the proposal, and undertakes to accomplish the re- demption of a ruined world d : and the Holy Spirit also undertakes to impart to the souls of the redeemed all that the Lord Jesus should purchase for them6. To these counsels the Apostle also constantly refers,
b John iii. 3. c John xv. 5. 2 Cor. iii. 5. Phil. ii. 13.
d Isai. xlix. 6. and liii. 4, 5, 10, 11.
e See the account given us of this in Ps. xl. 6 — 8. " Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire ; mine ears hast thou opened : burnt- offering and sin-offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come : in the volume of the book it is written of me ; I delight to do thy will, O my God ; yea, thy law is within my heart."