was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

All a sinner's hope, you perceive, centres in the Lord Jesus Christ; and all his expectation springs from him. If we have forgiveness, it is through his blood; if we are justified, it is by his righteousness. All is in virtue of the atonement, the obedience and sacrifice, of this Divine and all-sufficient Saviour. But we proceed to notice,

IV. The PERSONS by whom these blessings are enjoyed.

They are clearly described in the words, "all that believe."-Here is noted the way of pardon and acceptance; the character of those who are the subjects of them; they only-all they that believe. On the doctrine of forgiveness, this is the language of Scripture; "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his Name, whosoever believeth in him, shall receive remission of sins." On that of justification, it is equally clear and express; "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Again, the Apostle speaks of the righteousness of Christ, as "the righteousness of God; which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all that believe.” You see the essential importance of believing: by this we have forgiveness, and by this we are justified.

And what is believing? It is not an inward feeling which cannot be accounted for. It is not a presumptuous persuasion, which a man acquires he knows not how, that his state is certainly safe. It is giving

credit to the truth of God's word; a resting of the soul on that which he hath graciously revealed, so as to fall in heartily with the method of salvation made known in the Scriptures.

As to the influence of faith in the justification of a sinner, it is evident faith does not effect it-" It is God that justifieth." Faith does not procure it"It is Christ that died." But faith receives it. Faith, not as the efficient, but as the instrumental cause, lays hold of the righteousness of the Lord Jesus, brought near in the Gospel: and thus possessed, the transgressor is absolved from guilt, and accepted in the sight of God. The grant of this righteousness is an act of grace; we are "justified freely by his grace;" at the same time, we are "justified by faith." Grace provides and imputes the blessing, or reckons it to the sinner's account; faith receives it, and enjoys it. Justification, therefore, may be ascribed either to the grace of God, as its source; to the atonement of Christ, as its price; or to faith, as that which gives personal possession. As a person drowning may be said to be saved from death either by the man on the brink of a river who provides the means of safety; or by the rope which is cast out to him; or by the hand of the person himself which lays hold of the rope: each is proper, according to the different views in which we regard the subject.

But mark the expression-" By him all that believe are justified;" whether young or old, rich or poor, learned or illiterate; whether your sins have been few or many, whatever the degree of your guilt, or the magnitude of your offences,-" all that believe;" whether your faith be weak or strong, whether it be accompanied with clear and enlarged knowledge, or with much darkness and defect ;-every one that with

the heart receives the truth of God, and rests on Christ as its substance, its glory, and its end.

You perceive the vast importance, the indispensable necessity of faith: not of working ourselves up to a conclusion that we are interested in Christ, that we are pardoned and justified and saved; but of a rational and scriptural " belief of the truth;" giving credit with the heart to what the Lord hath spoken, and receiving the Saviour as "all in all;" remembering the solemn declaration-" He that believeth shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be lost,"

From this subject learn,

1. The encouragement which springs from the love of Christ!-His love hath height, and depth, and length, and breadth, which creatures cannot comprehend. It" passeth knowledge." Yet in some degree it may be known. May you and I be so acquainted with it, as to enjoy its reviving and constraining influence! The love of Christ flows, and flows freely. It descends in rich and copious streams. It spreads to the most unworthy, the most vile; or by it we should never have been refreshed. But does not this encourage your approach and application to him? "To you is the word of this salvation sent." Through this man," the incarnate Son of God, "is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all things." Are you not thankful for such a message? Do you not perceive its fitness to your case? And is it not the prayer of your heart, that you may believe! This cannot be urged with too much earnestness; for on your believing depends your personal interest in these inestimable blessings.

We state with confidence the liberality with which they are dispensed-" By grace are ye saved;" yet it is "through faith," not as a meritorious condition, but as an appointed means. Here is a criminal

under sentence of death; his sovereign grants him pardon, and orders his honourable release; but is it not supposed, is it not required, that the criminal believes the report of his pardon, and accepts the grant of his release? Doubtless: yet all is of free and undeserved favour. Beseech the Lord by his Spirit, to work in you the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power; that you may receive the Gospel and live; and thus be "of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

2. How just is the condemnation of impenitent transgressors!-There are, it is to be feared, many such; but what will they answer when God taketh away their souls? Will they pretend that no help was provided; that no remedy was proposed? Impossible! Will they urge, that the terms required were so hard, the conditions of salvation so severe, there was no acceding to them? This is equally impossible!" Men and brethren:" the words are addressed to you. Pleas of difficulty are of no avail against such language as this; "Be it known unto you, that through this man," Christ the Saviour, "is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all things." What can you answer in excuse for your sin? How can you attempt to vindicate your neglect of salvation? It is not to be vindicated by any effort what

ever.

If you persist in careless indifference, and obstinate unbelief, mark the words which immediately follow: "Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken of by the prophets; Behold, ye de

spisers, and wonder, and perish." Perish indeed you must, inevitably and eternally, if you go on to despise the Saviour, and to reject his Gospel.

3. How free is the salvation of the righteous!It is "not of works, lest any man should boast." It is entirely and exclusively of grace; altogether irrespective of moral worth, or human worthiness; "without money and without price." How anxious we are to discover something good in ourselves, as a plea for Divine acceptance and favour! We forget that all good is in God, treasured in Christ, and derived from him by a living faith. Let us come, therefore, to him just as we are, that we may receive from his inexhaustible fulness, 66 and grace for

grace."

Is there in the breast of any the dawn of desire after the grace of the Gospel? Cherish it, by all means; and remember that salvation is entirely of the Lord. Look, therefore, to him for the invaluable blessing. Wait on him that he may work in you "to will and to do of his own good pleasure." Do not defer this business. If it demand your attention at any time, it powerfully demands it now. "Behold! now is the day of salvation." Are you really desirous of the forgiveness of sins, and of justification from all your guilt? Come to Jesus Christ: come freely. Come and welcome. All is in him, and through him.

4. What a motive to gratitude and obedience! gratitude for such a Deliverer as the Lord Jesus; for such a deliverance as he has effected; and for such a way of salvation as by him is made known !---You that have some personal experience of this, can you love and praise the Saviour too much? It is the grief of your heart that you love and praise him no