In the exercise of his matchless love in Christ, he was absolutely free and independent, for the world to him is &S the small dust of the balance, and its inhabitants a.s mer« grasshoppers. He would be eternally glorious and happy if tho guilty world wore lefl to it-s horrible fate. Consequently, his love is as pure and unselfish as it is glorious and infinite; for whnt. but the most unselfish and intense love could prompt him to hold this guilty world in his arms, and preveut it from falling over the awful precipice? 2. To bring within the 'l'"Mch of nll the greatest good. "But have eternal life." (1) That man may enjoy the greate..st good. "Lifo." Every life is good in itself and very precious; but this life is the highest and best of all; ii is spiritual life-the life of God in the soul, Rnd represents all good and happiness which the soul nrcds and is capable of enjoying. (2) That man may enjoy the greatest good /01· ever, "Eternal life "-endless good nnd happiness. To save the guilty world from perdition manifests great love; but Divine lo1·e shines more brilliantly still, when, at the greatest possible sacrifice, not merely saves the world from the greatest calamity, but brings within its reach the greatest good, "eternal life." IV. 'l'HE CO~DITION ON WRICH THE BLESSINGS OF BIS LOVE MAY BE OBTAINED, There are many good human measures, offering great advantages, but containing disadvantageous cfauses, which debar most from the benefit. But throughout the great scheme of redemption, God's love shines with steady and ever-increasing urillia.ncy. Even in the condition on which its blessings are offered, simple faith in Christ-" whosoever believeth in him." 1. This condition is essential. 'l'he blessings offered could not be received, appropriated effectively, without faith, which means trustful and hearty reception. "Without faith it is impossible to please God;" and it is quite as impossible without it to save and bless man. 2. This condition is reasonable. ls it not reasonable that those who stand in need of salvation should believe and trust their Sa,iour? Aie not the faith and trust demanded by Divine love continually exercised in the affairs of our daily life, as conditions of temporal well-being? Reason is on the side of faith and against unbelief. 3. The condition is easy. Divine love could not fix upon an easier condition. A higher condition doubtless could be demanded; but such is the greatness of Divine love, and the intensity of the Divine will that all should avoid perdition and obtain eternal life, that they are offered on the easiest condition possible-simple faith, simple trust, and a grateful acceptance of the benefit. 'l'his condition is in the power of all; and in view of what God has done through Christ, one 1rnuld think that it is easier far to believe than not. 4. The same condition is for aU, and all partake of the benefit on the same condition. " Whosoever believeth," etc. There is no distinction of any kind, no partiality, no limit. He migbt make a distinction-he had perfect right ; but such is the infinitude of his love that he makes none, no distinction, no limit; he leaves this to man himself, but not without ove1y effort of Divine love to direct his conduct and guide his choice. LEssoKB. 1. The tale of God's love is 'TIU)St doquently told by its own deeds. If it be asked how much God loved the world, the simple answer is, " God so loved the world that he gave," etc. 'fhe gift and sacrifice of love answer with Divine and ever- iucreasing eloquence. 2. Man's ruin is entirel,y of Mmself; his s~lvation is entir~ly oj God. 'l'he simple progeny of bis grace, the pure offsprmg of his love. 3. It is far easier = for man to enter life than fall into perdition. For between him and perdition there are Divine _barriers-God's _love, _in the agonies ?f suffer~~ and. t~e eloquence of sacrifice, warnIDg and beseechmg him. Between him and 1110 there 1s nothing but his own unbelief. 4. If anything can bring man to repentance and /aithl it is the love of God in the sacrifice of his Son. If this cannot, nothing can. 5. Nothing can show the moral resisting power and perversity of man as much as his going to perditu:m in spite of God's love in Ohrist. What power of madness I What 11, terrible fall-to fall to perdition over the in.finite love of God 1-B. T.
Ver. 17.-The great purpose of God in the mission of his Son. Consider it- I. IN ITS Js'EGATIVE ABPEar. "For God sent not his Son," etc. This implies: 1. That God might have 6mt him/or purpms of judgment. (1) The world amply deserv«I, tMs. The Jewish world had abused its great and special privileges, and the heathen world had not lived up to the light it possessed, and had become guilty rind abominably wicked. Hypocrisy, infidelity, and vice were rampant. (2) This would be strictly just, ou. m. 1-36.J 'rHE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 151