give, that notwithstanding all opposing and intervening obstacles, he shall certainly in the end attain to that "Salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

"For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." In these words the Apostle assumes it as a position already proved and granted, that true Christians have experienced in God's past dealings with them, a most wonderful instance of his loving-kindness and mercy: "when they were enemies, they were reconciled to God by the death of His Son;" and from this position he strongly infers their future preservation and final victory. "Much more being reconciled, they shall be saved by his life." In discoursing then further on this passage, I shall use this division of it, and shall proceed to consider and illustrate,

I. The Position here assumed.

II. The Inference drawn from it.

I. The Position we have seen is this, That true Christians, in God's past dealings with them, have experienced a most wonderful exercise of His loving-kindness and mercy. And in what has this exercise consisted? In the great and glorious Change which they have undergone as to their state and condition, and in the astonishing Way in which

this change has been effected. Let us separately advert to these two particulars.

The Change alluded to is thus described: "They were enemies," but they are "now reconciled to God." There was a time, when they were enemies to God; in a state of variance with Him, and of rebellion against Him: when there was no peace, no agreement between them and God. This, indeed, is naturally the state of all men. Whether

rents.

Jews or Gentiles, whether the professed worshippers of God, or Heathens and Idolaters, they are by nature enemies to God; for by nature they are sinners. They are descended from a stock originally tainted, and share in the transgression and guilt of their first pa"Being by nature born in sin, they are children of wrath." It is not, however, thus, by imputation only, by descent alone, that they are sinners. They are personally and practically sinners. They are "enemies to God by wicked works." All men "have gone astray, every one to his own way." In their hearts they have no love of God: no desire after Him: no wish to please and serve Him. On the contrary, whatever they do know rightly of God, they dislike. They dislike His holiness. They dislike His law. They dislike His service. And the neces sary consequence of such a state of heart, is opposition and enmity to Him in the life.

They live after the flesh. They fulfil the desires of the flesh and of the mind. Numbers run into open and gross violations of the divine law. They sin with greediness, and cast off every restraint. But all in some way betray their natural enmity to God and his holy will. In some way they serve sin, and obey it in the lusts thereof. They walk after the course of this world. They place their happiness in the creature and not in the Creator. They lay up treasures on earth. They seek to have their portion, their good things here. In short, they live habitually under the influence of that "carnal mind," of which it is expressly said, that it is "enmity against God."- But of such a state, a state of so much sin and guilt, how great must be the misery and the danger! To dislike God, who is goodness; to hate His service, which is happiness; to have lost His favour, which is better than life; to be exposed to His wrath, which is a consuming fire; who can conceive the real wretchedness of such a state! Such however is the state of all men naturally. Such was once the state of those, who are now real Christians. But it is their state no longer. They were once enemies to God, but they are enemies no longer. They are now ciled to God." His wrath is turned away from them. Their guilt is blotted out. Their

"recon

sins are so put away, as never more to be mentioned, or even remembered against them. They are brought into a most blessed state of peace and friendship with God. He is become their God, and they are become His people. They are privileged to approach Him. They are imboldened to call Him, Father.

Nor is this all the Change which has taken place. They have been renewed in the spirit of their minds. Their nature has undergone a most wonderful alteration. They are become new creatures, in principle and practice, in dispositions and affections, in desires and pursuits, in heart and life. They now love God; they delight in his ordinances; they find pleasure in His ways; and count it their joy to walk in His statutes, to keep His judgements and do them. They now esteem His service to be perfect freedom. They look back with shame and sorrow on their former alienation of heart and life from His holy will and ways: and it is their earnest desire, and prevailing resolution, henceforth to" yield themselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and their members as Instruments of righteousness unto God."-Such is the great and glorious Change which has taken place in their state and condition. From enemies they have been made friends; from rebels, children;

from vessels of wrath, monuments of grace

and mercy.

Let us next advert to the astonishing Way in which this Change has been effected. True Christians have been reconciled to God. But by what means?" By the death of His Son."Under what circumstances?" When

they were enemies." If the representation given above has in some degree shown the nature and importance of the Change which has taken place, the statement to be now made, will no less clearly show the surprising loving-kindness and mercy by which it has been accomplished.

It is plain that the whole Benefit of this Reconciliation rests with man. God cannot be profited by it.. Perfectly blessed and glorious in Himself, He would still have ever continued so, though men had ever continued enemies to Him. They are the persons who gain by this reconciliation: but let us observe that it was God who brought it about. In His infinite mercy He projected so great a blessing to mankind. In His infinite wisdom He devised a plan for effecting it. And when, according to this plan, it was expedient, that His only-begotten Son should be made man, should suffer for sinners, and become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, He "spared Him not, but delivered Him up for us all."