mony amongst you on this subject were more fully credited, and more deeply felt ! We do declare it : we declare it with joy : for " it is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, even the chiefp." None are excluded from an interest in him, but through their own fault. God has no pleasure in the death of any sinner*1. He even condescends to confirm this truth with an oathr. St. Paul bears witness to it in the verse before our text. St. Peter also confirms it, and assures us, that " God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and lives." And, to add no more, St. John says, " If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous ; and he is the propitiation for our sins ; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world*" Away with the systems that discard these blessed truths, and wrest from their obvious meaning these reviving declarations. Believe it, brethren, that Jesus " gave himself a ransom for all" and know, that at this moment he addresses you by my mouth, saying, " Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else u."]
O brethren,
1. Stand amazed at this mystery —
[" Great indeed is this mystery of godliness, God mani- fest in the flesh," and dying under the load of his creatures' sins. Whence is it that this mystery is so little contemplated amongst us, and so little felt ? Is it that there is any other subject which deserves our attention in comparison of it? No : there is nothing worth a thought in comparison of it. " For the excellency of the knowledge of it, all that the world holds dear is but dung and dross." Let it then occupy your minds day and night, and fill your souls with transport, as it does the souls of the glorified before the throne of God.]
2. Improve it for the salvation of your own souls —
[On your acceptance of this testimony your everlasting salvation depends. " If you believe in Christ, your salvation is sure ; if not, you are condemned already, and the wrath of God abideth on youx." Believe then, every one of you, that Christ died for you; and pray to God, that you may be able to see your interest in him, and with joyful confidence to exclaim, " He hath loved me, and given himself for MEy." Thus shall you be feasted with the foretastes of heaven, and grow up into an increasing meetness for the glory prepared for you.]
P 1 Tim. i. 15. i Ezek. xviii. 23, 32. r Ezek. xxxiii. 11.
b 2 Pet. iii. 9. ' 1 John ii. 1,2. u Isai. xlv. 22.
x John iii. 18, 36. v Gal. ii. 20.