From these counsels results all the work of Christ. He in due time left the bosom of his Father, took our nature, was born of a pure virgin, fulfilled the law, offered himself a sacrifice for sin, rose from the dead, and ascended up to heaven to carry on and perfect the work which he began on earth. Think of all this as necessary for our salvation : think of it as concerted from eternity, and executed in time, and at this very moment accomplishing by means of his continual inter- cession at the right hand of God : Is there nothing wonderful in all this ?
From these counsels also results the salvation of man. Not a human being to wrhom the Gospel comes is ever saved, but by virtue of this work which Christ wrought out for him : and by means of this the vilest of the human race are saved. Those who seek an interest in this Saviour are accepted of him, even though they may have committed sins of a scarlet or crimson die : but they " who, going about to establish their own righteousness, will not submit to the righteousness of God," are rejected ; and the very Saviour who would have been a sanctuary to them, becomes a rock of offence, over which they fall to their eternal ruin. Here is a plain way of salvation for all. In vain do men dispute about the efficacy of their own good works to save them : here is a door ; and they who will enter in by it are saved; and those who obstinately stand without, perish. The very builders of the ark themselves perished, because they did not enter into it : and so will all who do not flee for refuge to this hope that is set before them. Is this wisdom, or this knowledge of small value ?
Further, from these counsels results the glory of God himself. It is in this way alone that God is, or can be glorified, by any child of man. If man were saved in any other way, every one of the Divine per- fections would be dishonoured. What evidence would there be that God is holy, if he suffered his laws to be violated with impunity ? What would become of all the rights of justice, if no sacrifice were offered for