with rage against the innocent disciples of the Lord Jesus. But mark the wondrous change wrought in him by the grace of God. He who had despised and persecuted Jesus, his people and his cause, was brought to glory in that cause; and he preached "the faith which once he destroyed."

The justice and mercy, the love and wisdom of God, as manifested in the redemption and salvation of lost and helpless man, the glory of the cross of Christ, had so powerfully drawn his attention, so closely occupied his meditation, and so exclusively engaged his affection, that he counted as loss, all his former attainments and boasted excellencies. "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ, and be found in him; not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." The amazing love of Christ in suffering for the guilty, rebellious sons of men, excited his wonder and his gratitude; and with a holy indignation he rejected the pretence of glorying in anything else. "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross ' Phil. iii. 7, 8, 9.

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of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.""

But why should this glorious subject, the most important to man, not have the same effect on men of this generation, on ourselves individually? We are as much in need of salvation by the free grace of God, as Saul of Tarsus was. If, like him, we are brought to the saving knowledge of the truth; we, like him, shall glory in nothing save in the cross of Christ; and shall on all occasions and at all hazards exhibit the doctrine of the cross as the only foundation of the sinner's hope, as the only way of salvation.

This great apostle, after his conversion, was so full of this glorious subject, salvation by and through Christ, that in saluting the "churches of Galatia,” having mentioned the Lord Jesus Christ, he could not proceed with his epistle, without observing what Christ had done: "Who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father." These words lead us to contem

plate,

I. CHRIST'S SACRIFICE FOR US:

66 HE GAVE HIM

SELF FOR OUR SINS."

II. THE GREAT END, AS STATED IN THE TEXT,

2 Gal. vi. 14.

FOR WHICH HE GAVE HIMSELF; "that he might deliver us from this present evil world."

I. We purpose, TO CONTEMPLATE CHRIST'S SA

CRIFICE FOR US.

Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was the spotless Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. The great and wondrous work of redeeming sinners, was planned from eternity; and in due time, the time predetermined, it was fully accomplished. It was accomplished when the Lord of life and glory bowed his head, and, expiring, exclaimed, "It is finished!" Such were the love and pity of the Son of God for wretched and guilty man, as to move him to lay aside his glory, to assume our nature, to suffer in that nature,—to die an ignominious, painful death,—the death of the cross. From the throne of his glory he descended into this rebellious and accursed world, and patiently endured the insults, sufferings, and cruel mockings of his creatures on earth, that he might become an acceptable sacrifice for transgressors; that he might open a way of reconciliation, and effectually reconcile God and man; that he might not only stop the torrents of divine wrath from falling on all the guilty race of Adam; but turn those torrents of wrath into streams of mercy and blessing

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for all who should believe on his name. berless transgressions were laid upon him. Hence Isaiah, in the spirit of prophecy, spake of Christ's sufferings: "He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed." He stood between the offended God and offending man. For, when divine justice demanded the punishment of guilty man, the Son of God, clothed in our nature, stood in the place of man, and answered the full demands of that justice, opened wide the door of the prison house, and sent forth and does send forth to the prisoners the proclamation of pardon and peace: he addresses that proclamation to all of you this day: "Turn ye to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope." His sufferings unto the death were voluntary. No one could take away his life against his own will. "I lay down my life for the sheep.” "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."5 But the love of Jesus appears the more astonishing if we just consider the characters for whom that love has been manifested.

It was not for friends but for enemies that he laid down his life. It was not for those who loved 3 Isa. liii. 5. 5 John xv. 13.

4 Zech. ix. 12.

him; but for those who hated him without a cause ; it was not for willing, obedient, lovely, and loving subjects; but for the disobedient, the rebellious, the hateful and the hating, that he freely poured forth his life's blood on the cross. He who was just, without guile, the spotless "Lamb of God," suffered for the unjust. Hence the apostle: "For when we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet, peradventure, for a good man, some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Herein was love, that he who is King of kings and Lord of lords, should offer himself a willing, self-devoted sacrifice for his own rebellious creatures. And what can make so strong a claim to the heart, the affections, the obedience, of a poor sinner, as this amazing love of Christ? What can break the stony heart, or melt it down and form it anew, if love so stupendous, and sufferings so unparalleled, cannot do so? And here let the question be put home to each heart, will you or will you not devote yourselves to the Lord Jesus? May we not reason with you in the language of St. Paul to the Corinthians?

"What, know ye not that

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own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore

6 John xv. 25.

ye are not your