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can be more evident, than that the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. The debt therefore being paid, the debtor must be free. The Surety, having answered all demands, the Principal, is in consequence released. Both, cannot be responsible, for this would be demanding a double recompence, which is inconsistent with the rule of equity. And hence it follows, by the plainest, and most undeniable evidence, that every truly awakened Sinner, in whose heart, the sense of sin, and the dependance on Christ, for salvation, is wrought, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, is taught not to look forward, to the day of judgment, for the hour of redemption as a matter then only to be obtained; but to depend upon it as being already accomplished, and to expect the Lord Jesus in that day, in his coming, as his Saviour.

But though this consideration of the subject, be very sweet and precious, yet blessed be God, this is not all. It might still be made, and it hath indeed been made, the question of great earnestness in many a heart; how am I to know, that redemption work, as wrought by the Lord Jesus, is accepted by God the Father for me? The solemn language of scripture, on this momentous point, declareth, without reserve, or qualification, the soul that sinneth it shall die. What authority therefore can I have, who am a

poor,

poor, self condemned sinner, to believe, that my sins can be transferred; or that the Lord Jesus acted as my Sponsor, in all his doings, and sufferings upon earth, for the iniquities of his people.

In answer to this most interesting question, our second point of discourse, concerning it, happily comes in to our aid, and proves to us, by an authority not to be controverted, that in all the Lord Jesus did, and suffered, upon earth, when accomplishing redemption, it was by the express appointment, approbation, and pleasure, of Almighty God.

This view of our subject, is also most highly important, and therefore, let me again request, a proportioned degree of closeness of application to it, for its clear apprehension.

I will be very free to confess, that strictly, and properly speaking, according to the nature of things in the common concerns of life, as they relate to the offences, which arise among men, it is totally impossible, for one man's sins, to be transferred to another; or that by the sufferings of one, the guilt of another, can be taken away,

or

or the merited punishment remitted. But I hope, that this kind of reasoning, as it relates to transactions among men, will never be brought forward, as suitable to form a standard, for judging, what may, or may not, be proper, in relation to our offences, towards God. Every thing surely puts on a very different aspect here. And if it can be at all supposed, that God himself, the injured party, graciously condescends to point out a way, and such a way, let me observe, as if he had not pointed out, no human, or even angelic being, ever could have thought of; (and which by the bye, is among the strongest convictions of its truth) then it will of course follow, that what comes from God himself, on this point, can never be liable to error, and must come recommended to our warmest approbation.

In the instance now under consideration, wherein God not only admits a substitute for sin, but commends his love to our particular notice, by the gracious act in giving his only Son, for the express purpose, we see, that every thing in it, corresponds to the highest notions we can form, of the greatness, and holiness, of his nature; and at the same time, to our noblest conceptions of his mercy and grace. For the infinite dignity of Him, who becomes the ransom, and the authority of Him, by whom

that

that ransom is appointed, gives at once, the most decided sanction, to the whole; and proves, that in all the Lord Jesus did, and suffered for his people, he acted as much by his Father's appointment, as by his own voluntary will, and pleasure. It was God the Father, who gave his only Son, as a Covenant, for his people. It was God the Father, which anointed him, with the Holy Ghost, to the office of Redeemer. It was God the Father, which assisted him, and sustained him, in every part of the accomplishment of it. And it was God the Father, which promised him, that when he had made his soul an offering for sin he should see his seed, he should prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hands. He should see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied.

Hence therefore, nothing can be more evident, than that God the Father, hath afforded, as strong an evidence, as the case can admit of, in the present life, that in the salvation, the Lord Jesus hath wrought out, for his people, it was as much the result of his appointment, as it originated in the Redeemer's love; and consequently, in the expectation of all true believers in Christ, they are authorized, on both considerations, to look for him, at his second coming, to judge the world, as their Saviour.

Still,

Still, however gratifying these united testmonies are, and conclusive as they ought to be considered by the faithful, to satisfy the most scrupulous mind, on the grand article of justification before God; there is one point more necessary to finish the evidence, and that is, the blessed Spirit's witnessing to our spirits, concerning these great truths of God.

Though fully convinced, by the former testimonies of the doctrine itself, as a doctrine full of comfort to the faithful; yet the believer may truly say, I want to know, and feel my own personal interest, in these glorious truths. A conscious sense, of the faith itself, unless followed by a conscious assurance of a real participation in its blessings, will leave me still in doubt, whether in the expectation of the great day of God, I am to look for the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour. And the concurrence of this testimony, was what I proposed to consider, under the third particular.

It is the peculiar office of God the Holy Ghost, to accomplish in the hearts of the faithful, this grand assurance of divine truths; and all indeed is confirmed by the strongest of evidences, when he taketh of the things of Jesus, and sheweth unto the soul.

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