He delivered Him up as a sacrifice to His own immutable Justice and Holiness that hence it might most illustriously appear, how immense was the guilt of man's apostasy, which stood in need of such a satisfaction; and how unsearchable were the riches of divine pity and love, which withheld it not. And under what circumstances was this satisfaction offered; this provision made for reconciling sinners unto God?" When they were enemies to Him :" while they were still in that state of enmity and guilt. Previously to any disposition on their part to turn to God, and to seek reconciliation with Him; previously to any sorrow felt, any contrition expressed, any desire of forgiveness manifested, any petition for mercy offered, God had thoughts of mercy towards them; planned their return to Him; and provided the way. In fact a disposition to turn to Him, a desire for reconciliation, a godly sorrow for sin, an humble cry for mercy, are themselves a part of that very salvation, which He designed and prepared for men. The gift and communication of His Spirit to produce in them a change of heart, to subdue their natural enmity to Him, to work in them repentance and faith, to infuse into them holy affections and spiritual desires, was absolutely necessary for the completion of His gracious purpose; yea, so necessary,

that without this Gift His purpose of recon ciling them to Himself must have utterly failed. Here then we see the abounding love of God to His people. He pitied them, when enemies. He planned their reconcili ation to Himself, when they were yet rebels to His law and government. He gave His Son for them, while they were ungodly and without strength. "God (says the Apostle) commendeth His love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us."

These remarks may serve to illustrate the Position assumed by the Apostle in the text. I proceed to consider,

II. The Inference which he deduces from it. "Much more being reconciled, they shall be saved by his life." From God's previous dealings with His people; from the wonderful Loving-kindness and Mercy, which He has already shown to them, St. Paul strongly infers their future preservation and final victory. "Much more they shall be saved:" much more, they shall be kept unto Salvation; and being enabled to endure, shall assuredly in the end attain everlasting life. Their confidence in the Lord's power, faithfulness, and love, inspired by His previous mercies to them, shall not be disappointed.

With this view the whole scheme of Evan

gelical Doctrine agrees. True Christians in their reconciliation with God, have, indeed, undergone a great and a glorious Change. But the work is not yet complete. Much has been done, but something still remains, and so long as they are in the body, will still remain, to be done. The great obstacle to their everlasting happiness is removed. They are at peace with God. Their sins are pardoned, and their souls are renewed. But they are as yet renewed only in part. The carnal mind, that natural enemy to God and Holiness, though weakened, is not utterly subdued. It still lurks within, and struggles hard to recover its lost dominion in the soul. Their great adversary, the devil, also no less constantly assaults and harasses them; and strives by force and subtlety to regain his power over them; while the world assails them with all its formidable weapons; with its promises allures; with its threatenings terrifies; with its snares entangles them. Now the natural tendency of all these united obstacles is to oppose their progress; to stop their Christian career; nay, to drive them back; to undo what has been done; to reduce them to their former state of guilt and misery; and thus, if possible, to make their hope ashamed; and to leave them at last to perish in sin and wrath. But No, says the Scripture, this shall never be." They shall

be saved." They shall be kept by the power of God, through faith unto Salvation ;" and "none shall pluck them out of his hand." All their enemies, however formidable and numerous, shall not prevail against them. Effectual provision is made for their security. He who died to reconcile them by His blood, now liveth to preserve them by His power. He is able to preserve them, for He hath "all power in heaven and in earth." He is able to save them to the uttermost; for "He ever liveth to make intercession for them." He is able to maintain that life which he has given them; for in Him all fulness dwells.

Observe, then, the whole force of the Inference in the text. "Much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Hath God done so much for His people, and will He do no more? Having wrought out such a salvation for them, "well ordered in all things, and sure," having induced them to comply with and embrace it, will He leave them to fall short of the blessings proclaimed in it, and to perish at last? Certainly not. Far be such a supposition from us. On the contrary, if He has done the greater work for them, much more will He do the less. If he pitied them when enemies, much more will he love them when friends. If, when they were in rebellion

against Him, he would not destroy them, much more now that they are at peace with Him, will He preserve them from perishing. If when they were ungodly and impenitent, He gave His Son to die for their offences, much more now that they are penitent believers in that Son, will He save them for ever. If when they were alienated from Him in their hearts, He planned, though at such an infinite price, their deliverance from the power of sin, much more - having now accomplished their deliverance, having taught them sincerely, though still imperfectly, to fear and love Him, to value His favour, to delight in His service, to live to His glorymuch more will He now uphold them with His right hand, and will lead them in the way everlasting. Surely it is impossible not to feel the force of this conclusion. The Apostle's reasoning must carry conviction to every understanding and attentive mind. "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."

Then, my brethren, "lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet." "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, and obeyeth the voice of His servant: that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?" Who is there among you that hath fled for