life:" and thus they receive "redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of all their sins."
We must not however imagine that God elects any in a way inconsistent with his own honour, lie does not by a mere absolute decree forgive them: he does not so overlook the honour of his own law, or disregard the demands of his own truth and justice. On the contrary, he provides for them a Saviour, through whose atoning blood they may be forgiven, and in whose obedience they may find a justifying righteous- ness. If he elected them simply to salvation without any re- gard to an atonement, he would exercise one attribute at the expense of all the rest: but in electing them to the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, he provides for the honour of his broken law, and maintains in united and harmonious exercise the glory of all his perfections: he provides, that "Mercy and truth should meet together, and righteousness and peace should kiss each other1"."]
As Christ redeems whom the Father has elected, so those, whom Christ has redeemed,
III. The Spirit sanctifies —
It is in reality through the influence of the Holy (Jhost that the souls of the elect are sprinkled with the blood of Christ : because it is He who reveals Christ unto them, and enables them to believe on him. But, besides this, " The Spirit sanctifies them to obedience" —
To this are the elect chosen, as to the means whereby their ultimate salvation shall be attained —
[It would be dishonourable to God if an unholy creature were admitted to a participation of his throne : nor, if we could suppose such a creature admitted into heaven, could he be happy there ; because he would want all the dispositions which were necessary to qualify him for the enjoyment of that holy place. On this account God has ordained to sanctify his elect in body, soul, and spirit, and to " transform them into his own image in righteousness and true holiness."]
And this work he has committed to the Holy Spirit —
[The Spirit originally breathed upon the face of the waters, and reduced the chaotic mass to order and beauty. So does he move upon the believer's soul. Whatever is corrupt, he mortifies; whatever is wanting, he supplies.
** Ps. lxxxv. 10.