disobedience of their first progenitor, lost the divine image, and became exposed to the wrath of God. In these circumstances what did the mighty Creator do? Did he cut them off at one blow? Did he consign them to everlasting punishment? This he might have done, and none would have had a right to impugn his justice, or say, "What doest thou?" But he acted not thus. He prepared a method of recovery, a remedy for the unhappy case, a ransom for a captured world. After a due course of preparation he sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved by him. Jesus, the Saviour, came to seek and to save that which was lost. purpose he took a human nature. endured the vengeance of heaven, and bore the punishment of man's sin. By unparalleled sufferings and also by unremitted and perfect obedience he procured the pardon of sin, and brought in an everlasting righteousHe effected our peace and acceptance. See here then the love of God. God so loved us, that he gave his Son, and freely delivered

ness.

For this

In it he

him up to death for us. that he willingly suffered death of the cross for us.

Christ so loved us,

death, even the Now what says

the Apostle on this? He says, "The love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge that if one died for all then were all dead, and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again." He says again, “Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your bodies and in the spirits which are God's." This is the very thing required in the text, and I say again, that redemption has in it a more powerful motive to make us give ourselves wholly to God, and to be his without reserve, to love him and to serve him, than the act of creation, or the care of providence. It increases the claim of God upon us in an immense ratio. I take in the whole plan and work of redemption. The incarnation of the Son of God, his fulfilment of the whole law, his sacrifice upon the cross, the gift of the Holy Spirit, his enlightening, sanctifying,

and renewing influences. All these form the stupendous work, the amazing grace of man's redemption. What a right has God to the utmost of the heart, mind, soul, and body of the creature, which he has thus redeemed. Take the two together, Creation with all its concomitant blessings of preservation and providence, Redemption with all its glorious effects and consequences, its deliverance from wretchedness, sin, and hell, its restoration to the image and favour of God, its completion in the infinite and eternal glory and happiness of heaven. I ask thee, O man, whether the Lord thy God has not a right to require of thee to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord and his statutes which he has commanded thee."

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II. I proceed to the second head of this sermon, and to shew you that the rendering unto God of that which he requires will be "for your good." It is impossible that any one should love and serve God without being

benefited by it. The whole scheme of the national prosperity of the Jews went upon this principle, and every nation and kingdom will find that in proportion as it makes a public recognition of the Lord and his service, as it honours his sabbaths, enforces his commandments, and promotes his glory, it will be protected, prosperous, and happy. "Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." I shall speak however more particularly of the good which will flow to individuals when they really give themselves to God, as children to love him and servants to obey him. How will this be "for their good?" What is the nature of this good? wherein does it consist? It is spiritual good, and arises out of spiritual blessings. It consists in the presence of the Spirit of God with the soul, and in the gracious operations which he carries on within it. His divine influence subdues man's rebellious will, and makes him patient and contented in suffering. It controls his passions, moderates his desires, softens all his asperities, and sweetens his temper. It thus

torment.

cuts off the main sources of irritation and It leaves little to agitate or disturb his peace. Moreover, he who loves God and serves him with all his heart and all his soul, has the testimony of a good conscience within him; he has satisfactory evidence of a gracious change. Hence he has the spirit of adoption in his heart. He walks in the light of God's countenance. He has peace and joy in believing. He joys in God, and rejoices in hope of his glory. Oh! brethren these are happy experiences, the sweetest emotions which the heart of man can feel. I add, that the favour of God, his love, his protection, his mercy, grace, and salvation, are all promised and all given to those who love him and walk in his ways. They have the pardon of all their sins; they are justified freely; they are made children of God by adoption into his family, and "if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." Oh! what abundance and variety of good in spiritual blessings and privileges do they enjoy who fulfil the requirements which God makes of them as his formed and