P Col. ii. 14, 15. 12 Pet. iii. 12.
r 1 Cor. iii. 22. ^ 2 Tim. ii. 26.
2276.] THE ENDS OF CHRIST's INCARNATION. 175
the air, who worketh in all the children of disobedience ?" Do but reflect on the account which you must hereafter give, and on the self-condemnation which you will feel in the day of judgment, when the full effects of your present disobedience will come upon you. I cannot contemplate your condition now, or your feelings in that day, without saying with the prophet, " O ! that my head were waters, and mine eyes were a fountain of tears, that they might run down day and night in your behalf!" O let not all the wonders of redeeming love be in vain to you, yea, worse than in vain — a melancholy source of tenfold condemnation !]
2. The awakened penitent —
[Are you beginning to feel your sins a heavy burthen ? Bless and adore your God for the provision he has made for you in the Son of his love. Your guilt is expiated by your Saviour's blood : and Satan, who has kept you hitherto in such cruel bondage, is dethroned. Look unto this Saviour. Did he come down from heaven ? It was to seek and save the lost, yea, and the very chief of sinners. Lay hold on him ; plead with God the sacrifice which he has oifered ; and seek an interest in the victories he has gained. It is for that he has lived ; for you he has died ; for you he reigns : and never is he better satisfied with the travail of his soul, than when he sees such as you born to God through him* ]
3. The trembling believer —
[What would you that God should add to all that he has done for you ? What is there wanting to dispel your fears, and encourage your hearts ? Are you afraid of Satan ? He is a vanquished enemy. Are you afraid of death ? To you it is only as the gate of heaven. Be of good cheer. If you are weak, "your Redeemer is mighty;" and his "strength shall be perfected in your weakness." He, who for your sakes " partook of flesh and blood," with all the sinless infirmities of your nature, knows by experience all that you feel, and will aflford you all needful succour. Fear not ; " He will not break the bruised reed, or quench the smoking flax, but will bring forth judgment unto victory." Rejoice then in him ; rejoice evermore : and doubt not but that " he who has begun a good work in you, will for his own sake perfect it to the end."]
t Isai. hii. 1 1.