1 John iii. 16. Hereby perceive toe the love of God, because he laid down his life for us : and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
IN contemplating Christianity as a system, we scarcely know whether to admire more, the depth of its mysteries, or the height of its requirements. Of all mysteries, that specified in our text, the death of our incarnate God for the sins of men, is beyond all comparison the greatest : and, of all requirements, there is not one so arduous as that, which also is here inculcated, of laying down our lives for the bre- thren. The two taken together present Christianity in a most endearing view ; and exhibit it as alike conducive to the perfection of our nature and the completion of our bliss. Let us notice,
I. The extent in which God has manifested his love to us —
If we survey the works of creation, we shall see love inscribed upon them all. There was not one which the Creator himself did not pronounce to be " very good :" and, if there be any thing within the whole compass of it that is noxious to man, it was not so according to its original constitution, but has been rendered so by sin. If we mark also the dis- pensations of providence, we shall find in all of them too the same blessed character of love : for the very anger of God, is only an exercise of paternal love ; and his judgments, an effort to bring his offending creatures into a state of reconciliation and accept- ance with him. But it is in redemption that his love is chiefly displayed : for, in order to effect it, Jesus Christ assumed our nature, and actually " laid down his life for us."
In order that we may behold somewhat of the love displayed in this stupendous act, let us consider,