[At the first appearance of the Lord Jesus, the scope and tendency of his doctrine were shadowed forth in miracles : the devils were cast out by him, and all manner of diseases were healed. But the full intent of his incarnation and death were not understood till after the day of Pentecost. Then the honour of his Gospel was completely vindicated. Then the most abandoned characters were changed : the lion became a lamb ; and those who had borne the very image of the devil, were changed into the image of their God. At his next appearing, this will be more fully manifest. Then the lives of all his people will bear testimony respecting the end of his voluntary sacrifice. It will then be seen, beyond controversy, that " he gave himself to redeem us," not merely from condem- nation, but from sin ; from the love and practice of all iniquity ; and to " purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Then " will he see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied :" then also will " the ignorance of foolish men be silenced :" and then will " Christ be glorified in his saints, and admired in all that believe'';" for every grace they have exercised will " tend to his praise and honour and glory " in that solemn day®.
And is not this also a strong motive to influence our minds ? Can we reflect on the honour which will accrue to him, when the purifying eflicacy of his Gospel shall be seen in all the myriads of his redeemed ; — can we reflect on this, I say, and not long to add a jewel to his crown ?]
Infer —
1. How little do they know of the Gospel who live in any kind of sin !
[It matters little whether men profess themselves fol- lowers of Christ, or not, if they indulge iniquity in their hearts. " Can one born of God habitually commit sin ?" No*^: "we have not so learned Christ, if so be we have heard him, and been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus^." The Gospel " teaches us to deny and renounce all sin " without exception. Whoever ye be, therefore, who live by any other rule than that which the Gospel proposes, know that ye will surely be confounded in the day of Christ's appearing. And the only difference between those who professed, and those who despised, the Gospel, will be, that " they who knew their Lord's will and did it not, will be beaten with the more and heavier stripes."]
2. How happy a world would this be, if all em- braced and obeyed the Gospel !
d 2 Thess, i, 10. e i Pgt. i. 7.
f 1 John iii. 9. s Eph. iv. 20, 21.