ungodly, and especially to those to whom the Gospel of salva- tion had been sent, " I tvould, but ye would ?iot."
Here again then we see the propriety of interesting our- selves with God in behalf of all, since for all without exception did Jesus die.]
It will be proper to consider the mediation of Christ yet farther,
III. As attested by the Holy Spirit —
This mediation was " to be testified of in due time" —
1. It has been abundantly attested by the Holy
Spirit in times past —
[In the writings of the Old Testament it is fully declared. "' He was cut off, but not for himself f:" " he was wounded for our transgressions: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: the Lord laid on him the iniquities of us alls." Of the New Testament this truth forms the sum and substance. When Jesus was just beginning his ministry, he was pointed out by his forerunner as " the Lamb of God that should take away the sin of the world V Our Lord spake of himself as " giving his life a ransom for many1." St. Paul tells us, that " we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sinsk," and " reconciliation through the blood of his cross1." St. Peter assures us, that " He bore our sins in his own body on the tree, and suffered, the just for the unjust™." But it would be endless to accumulate passages ; since the whole Scriptures testify of this blessed truth in every part. Suffice it to say, that it forms the one theme of all the glorified saints in heaven, who sing praises day and night " to Him who loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood;" saying, " Thou art worthy, for thou wast slain, and hast re- deemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation"."]
2. We also are called to testify of it at this time —
[To preach Christ crucified is the one employment of ministers : and our ministry is called " the ministry of recon- ciliation " on this very account, because we proclaim to sinners, " that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them0." O that our testi-
f Dan. ix. 26. s Isai. liii. 4 — 6. h John i. 29.
1 Matt. xx. 28. k Eph. i. 7. > Col. i. 20—22.
m 1 Pet. ii. 24. and iii. 18. n Rev. i. 5. and v. 9. ° 2 Cor. v. 18—21.