the scope of our ministry is to "declare glad tidings," even to proclaim a crucified, and an exalted Saviour. Let any one contemplate the foregoing subject, and see whether it do not afford matter for rejoicing Let men only forsake their sins, and we have not a word to utter which will not administer to them an occasion of joy. In this light the resurrection of our Lord was viewed by the first Disciples. And are not they our fathers, and we their children?" Yes; we are all of one family, all united to one Head, and all heirs of the same glory: and, if we only cleave to the Saviour as they did, we may confidently expect the blessings which they enjoyed, and may look forward with joy to that time, when we shall sit down with all the patriarchs and prophets in the kingdom of our God for every.] 66 x Eph. i. 10. Heb. xii. 23. y Matt. viii. 11. Luke xiii. 28 MDCCLXXVIII. THE SURE MERCIES OF DAVID. Acts xiii. 34. As concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. IT is of the nature of prophecy to be dark. It was doubtless given in order to raise in men an expectation of future events; but it was not designed to declare them so fully, as to induce men to exert themselves either for the effectuating or counteracting of the things foretold. Its true use was, to shew, that God had both foreseen and fore-ordained all that should come to pass; and to convince us, that nothing can occur, but according to his determinate counsel and will. The passage cited in my text is strongly illustrative of this truth. One would not readily have imagined that so sublime a mystery as that of our Saviour's resurrection had been contained in these words: but, now that we see them accomplished, we can have no doubt but that they were intended to predict that great event; since an inspired Apostle so explains them, and builds upon his explanation the most important of all truths, the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus. To place the text in its true light, I will consider, I. The fact asserted [This was, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; the most important of all events; since, without it, neither the incarnation nor death of Christ would have been of any avail. To this our blessed Lord continually referred, as the most convincing proof of his Messiahship For the more full discovery of this, he abode on earth forty days after his resurrection; "shewing, by many infallible proofs," that he was indeed" risen, according to the Scriptures"." And to this event all his Apostles bare witness, as establishing, beyond all doubt or question, his divine mission. This was the point to be settled for the conviction of all, whether Jews or Gentiles: and this once clearly established, all the rest followed as a matter of course, that could not be questioned by any child of man d.] But let me direct your attention to, II. The prophecy appealed to in confirmation of itThis, we have said, was dark: but, when duly explained, it carries full conviction along with it. To this event, beyond all doubt, the prophecy referred [With his people God entered into covenant, to " give them the sure mercies of David." What these were, the Psalmist fully informs us. They were, in the first place, to establish on his throne his Promised Seed, the Messiah; and then to give to all the subjects of the Messiah's kingdom the full blessings of salvatione But Messiah was to suffer How, then, could this prophecy be fulfilled? By this event, the prophecy was fulfilled [Christ, being raised from the dead, was empowered to carry on his work; as the high-priest did, when, after offering his sacrifice, he entered into the holy of holies. Now, too, he was seated on his thrones; and all which had been engaged in covenant both to him and to his people, was put into a train of progressive and ultimate accomplishment. Thus were the mercies, which David had long since contemplated as "sure"," rendered "sure" to Christ and to all his believing people Not only was God's word verified by this; but a pledge was given, that it should be fulfilled in every the minutest particular, to all who should rely upon it in deed and in truth.] And now let me call your attention to, III. The conclusion drawn The same train of argument had been followed both by St. Peter and St. Paul. And from it their inferences were, 1. That Christ was indeed the true Messiah [See the argument as stated by St. Peter on the day of Pentecosti- -Then mark his conclusion drawn: "THEREFORE, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Know ye then this, my beloved brethren: there is a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; and there is no other than He. He has died for you; and his sacrifice has been accepted of the Father in your behalf. And of this you have a certain pledge, in his resurrection from the dead. I call upon you, then, to renounce every other hope; and to look unto Him, as "all your salvation and all your desire" — -] 2. That all who believe in him shall most assuredly be saved [This is the conclusion, as drawn by the Apostle Paul. Having further prosecuted the line of argument which we have already noticed', he adds, "Be it known unto you, THEREFORE, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses m." Yes; to every one of you do I this day preach the forgiveness of sins. Who amongst you does not need it? Who amongst you can obtain remission in any other way? Who amongst you would not account the pardon of all his sins as the richest blessing that could be conferred upon him? Behold, then, I this day offer it to every one amongst you: yea, I offer it simply by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Under the Mosaic law there were many sins for which no sacrifice was appointed. But not so under the Christian dispensation. There is no sin, whatever, nor any accumulation of sins, which may not be washed away by the Redeemer's blood: for "the blood of Jesus Christ," we are told, "cleanseth from all sin"." To every one of you, therefore, do I offer, in his name, a free and full remission, in perfect accordance with God's covenant, 1 ver. 35-37. i Acts ii. 22-35. m ver. 38, 39. k Acts ii. 36. n 1 John i. 7. ratified as it has been by the Redeemer's blood, and confirmed as it is by his predicted resurrection and his glorious ascension.] BEHOLD, then, how certain are God's promises to those who rely upon them! [If any promise could have failed, methinks it was that which related to the exaltation of the Messiah. See him dying on the cross, and sealed up in the grave: what is now become of all God's promised mercies ? Wait but a little, and they shall be acknowledged to be sure and certain. So your case, brethren, may appear as desperate as his: yet, in the appointed hour, shall you surmount your every difficulty, and be glorified with your Messiah at the right hand of God MDCCLXXIX. -] DANGER OF DESPISING THE GOSPEL SALVATION. Acts xiii. 38-41. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. NO one can read the New Testament with attention, without seeing that there is one point to which all the discourses of the Apostles tend, namely, the exhibition of Christ as the Saviour of the world. In Him all the lines meet, as in their common centre. The discourses of St. Paul embraced the whole circle of divine truth; yet he justly says, that "he determined to know nothing among his converts but Jesus Christ, and him crucified." In the chapter before us is contained his address to the Jews in a synagogue at Antioch. He begins with a subject ever gratifying to a Jewish ear, a rehearsal of the distinguished mercies vouchsafed to that nation from the time of their departure out of Egypt to the time of David, from whose seed they all acknowledged that their Messiah should spring. He then declares, that that Messiah was come, even Jesus, in whom the prophecies had been literally fulfilled, both in the peculiar manner of his death, and in his resurrection from the dead. He then comes to apply the subject to their hearts and consciences, combining all the tenderness of a brother with all the fidelity of an Apostle. In opening to you that part which we have just read, we shall notice, I. The declaration made It had been said by our Lord after his resurrection, that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations." And here St. Paul, executing his commission, declares that this way of salvation was, 1. Divinely appointed [There is no doubt or hesitation to be seen in his mode of expressing this truth: on the contrary, he speaks with most assured confidence; "Be it known to you, brethren, that through this man is the forgiveness of sins:" Be it known, that his death was a propitiation for sin,-that by that sacrifice, Divine justice has been satisfied,—that through it God is reconciled to a guilty world,—and that he has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation, and sent us on purpose to preach to you the forgiveness of your sins in his name. These are truths of infinite importance to every child of man: and we declare them without even a shadow of doubt upon our own minds; and desire that they may be embraced by you with the fullest assurance of your minds, and the liveliest gratitude of your souls. Beloved brethren, we announce the same glorious truths to you. Who amongst you is not a sinner before God? Who does not need such a Saviour? Who has not reason to leap for joy at having such a method of forgiveness proposed to him? Know ye then, that "to you is the word of this salvation sent";" and "we, as God's ambassadors, pray you in Christ's stead, Be ye reconciled to God."] 2. Universally effectual [There is no distinction now made between Jews and Gentiles: the word is no longer confined to one age or country; "it is gone forth unto the ends of the world." Nor is there now any distinction of sins, as far as relates to the forgiveness of them through the blood of Christ. Under the law, there were many sins for which no sacrifice whatever could be accepted. The adulterer and the murderer, for instance, were e 1 Tim. i. 15. a Luke xxiv. 47. ver. 26. d b 2 Cor. v. 18, 19. |