And there is another figure-that of" casting our sins into the depths of the sea." Take a jewel, and when upon mid-ocean, drop it over the ship's side into the waters. It is gone. None can descend into thoHe depths and bring it back again. So God, as it were, binds up the book, the" handwriting of ordinances that was against us." He drops it in mid-ocean. And as we see it go, our hearts should be filled with thankful, trustful Jove to the great Forgiver. To a full return to him who has so dealt with our sins the text invites. This is God's way of pleading. I. OUR REDEMPTION IS AN ACCOMPLISHED FACT, The terms of the text are very explicit: "I have blotted out.. , . I have redeemed." Redemption is not a matter which has to be settled; it is settled. We too often speak of needing to be redeemed; we should speak much more of realizing our redemption-entering into the life and privilege bought for us, and offered to us in the sovereign mercy of our God. That redemption should be regarded as an accomplished fact is taught by our Lord. 1. See the parable of the prodigal son. 'l'he charm of the parable is the look it gives us into the lather's heart. He harl furgiven the son in bis heart long before the forgiving word could be spoken. 2. The parable of the feast. The message sent forth is, "Come, for all things are now ready." 3. Notice how Christ directed the thoughts of men lo himself. If our redemption were not an accnmplished fact, of which our Lord was the Divine expression and persuasion, how could he say," I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life"? 4. This is, indeed, invoked in the doctrine of the cross of Christ. Go<l provided that cross as the higb,·st expression of his love to us; it is the persuasion that he has for- given. It is not in order that he may love us, it is because he did Jove us, that he gave his only begotten Son. 5. Observe the new terms of condemnation set forth in the gospel: "He that bath the 800 bath life, and he that bath not the Son bath not life;" "He that believeth not is condemned already." God looks on men as forgiven, but tested by their thoughts of Christ, by their acceptance of his offered Jove and friendship in the person of Jesus Christ. God says," I have redeemed you." If you will turn to God, return to God, you shall realize that you are redeemed. If you will not return, then that very redemption will gather into a burden, weightier far than all others that can come upon you. II. Oua REDEMPTION, AS AN ACCOMPLISilED FAOT, IS Goo's GREAT POWER ON HUMAN BOULB. 'l'his is the very essence of the gospel-the "good news" of God. God is a forgiving God. He bas forgiven in his heart; he speaks his forgiveness in Christ. He can pass by iniquity, transgression, and sin. He can keep his righteousness before all his creatures, and yet reach down a hand of acceptance to us. 1. The cry of God, in olden days, WIUI the cry of this forgiving love, "Ho, every one that thirsteth," etc. 172 TIIE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. [cH. :l'.Liv. 1-28.
(eh. IT. 1). The wine and milk ll.re bnught; they are set ready; take, and eat. 2, Apostles preached a perfect salvation. They told men it was wrouc,ht-it was done. They preached remission of sins in the Name of Jesus. Our faith is not asked for & scheme partially realized, a salvation partially accomplished, that needs the addition of our delayings, our tears, our prayers, our goodnesses. It was perfect before we he.d one thought about it It sprang out of God's own love; it was manifested in God's own perfect ,vay. He has redeemed us, and wants the fa.et of his redemption to be a gracious persuasion of us to come to him. ,ve have seen the little bird taken from its nest in the woods, and put into the cage, and it seemed to be happy even with the bars all round it. Not always happy. Sometimes it would flap Its wings against the bars, and try to get free, when a glint of warmer sunshine broke in upon it. And when the door was opened, wide opened, the bird scarcely knew what to do; it seemed bewildered, as if it could not believe such good news. Rut at last it seemed to flash upon it, "I am free-free t.o the wil,l woods, and the open sky, and the glad sunshine." And at once it spread its wings and fled away. We a.ro like that bird, caged in with sin : the bars a.re all round us. Some of us a.re willing to be caged, some of us fret to be caged. And the fact is that God has ~et before us an open door. Yet we stand irresolute. What! is the cage really open? May we come forth into the sky of God's free favour and accept- ance? Has God kept his holiness and his truth, and yet can he open the door? 'l'hat is the truth, that is the assurance of the text. That is God's way of pleading," Return unto me; for I have redeemed thee."-R. T.