and provoked justice in his death and vicarious sacrifice on the cross, when he bowed his head and cried, It is finished: these form the strength of his arm, mighty to redeem. Thus he judicially delivered us from wrath to come, being made a curse for us. Let it be remembered, that by virtue of this satisfactory offering of Christ to God, he possesses a right to deliver from sin and misery, all the individuals for whom he paid the ransom.

The application of the power of Christ in delivering an individual sinner, is strongly expressed in the text, by the act of plucking from the fire. While the word plucked describes the eminent danger of the brand consuming in the fiery flame, it is equally expressive of the instantaneous exertion of the Lord for its deliverance. While the Redeemer was personally on earth, he manifested his mercy and his power in the recovery of Zaccheus, Mary Magdalene, the malefactor on the cross, and many others who were consuming in their transgressions. And, no sooner was he exalted to the throne of his glory in the highest heavens, than, by the influence of his sovereign grace, Saul of Tarsus, the Jailor at Philippi, the three thousand who had been accessary to his death, with others recorded in the New Testament history, were plucked as brands from the fire. Nor was this abundant mercy confined to the first periods of Christianity; for in every age, and in almost every place where the Gospel has been preached, multitudes of sinners of every possible description have experienced the power of Christ in delivering them from their sins, and their expectation of everlasting burning. The SPIRIT OF CHRIST, by the truths of the GOSPEL, enlightens the 'mind of a sinner, arrests the conscience, discovers its danger; and notwithstanding the flames of his iniquities, he is separated from his state of misery and impending ruin; or, as St. Paul expresses the same act of grace, he hath delivered us from the wrath to come.

4. In the paragraph connected with the text, you will perceive, that no sooner was Joshua, in his filthy garments, ar

raigned before the Lord, than Satan stood at his right hand to resist him, as having no right, in such a defiled state, to find acceptance and favour. This is precisely the case with every sinner whose conscience is convinced of its guilt and defilement. Satan, who had long led him captive at his will in the paths of disobedience, darkness, and iniquity, now accuses him of his crimes, aggravates his guilt, and fills his breast with the most painful apprehensions of his final destruction. A case this not dissimilar to that of the young man who was brought to Christ, and who, while he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down and tare him. The wicked-one knows his prey; and when the hand of the Lord is extended to deliver, every hellish effort is made to distract the sensible sinner. Should any of you experience such conflicts in your breasts, while seeking the mercy of your offended God, they are designed to convince you more deeply of the misery of sin, your inability to escape from the dominion of Satan, and the absolute neces, sity of the Lord Christ to produce your deliverance. But this will further appear by taking another view of our subject.

5. When a brand is snatched from the fire, it is yet flaming and smoking. This is perfectly descriptive of that sinner whom the Lord is in the act of delivering from the danger of destruction. He feels the guilt of his sins flaming and scorching his conscience. His mind is enveloped in darkness, and he is compelled to confess his ignorance of his God, and the way in which it is possible for him to be saved. This state of mind is exemplified in the conversion of Saul the persecutor. No sooner was he plucked out of the fire of his iniquities, than he cried, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? All his previously acquired knowledge at the feet of Gamaliel, and all his boasted merit as a Pharisee, could not afford a single ray of light to guide him in the way of salvation. This indeed is the case, in a less or greater degree, with all those whom the Lord rescues from a course of sin, in order to bring them into present and future happiness. And although some are in the habit of applying the figurative language of a brand

plucked from the fire, to the more open and profligate sinners; it is also true of every self-righteous person, like Saul, who is plucked from the flame of his criminal deception.

From the case of the awakened sinner, thus far described, TWO QUESTIONS arise of the most important interest. How shall a sensible sinner, like a burning, smoking brand, be so quenched as to enjoy pardon and peace with his God? And, how is it possible, that such a coal-burnt brand should ever bear the fruits of righteousness to eternal life? Indulging a hope that some such inquirers may be found among you, with the Gospel in my hand, I shall attempt to give you the necessary answers.

In answer to the FIRST QUESTION, I can assure you, that no sensible sinner, as a burning brand, was ever, or ever will be quenched, but in the precious blood of Christ, the LAMB OF GOD. For, without shedding of blood, there is no remission. It was this blood of atonement, which he shed upon the cross, that satisfied the imperious demands of Divine justice; and it is that which cleanseth from all sin. This is that fountain which was foretold should be opened for sin and for uncleanness, and in which alone a guilty sinner can be cleansed, and enjoy peace with God and in his own conscience. Therefore the united testimony of saved sinners upon earth is, we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. And the saints in glory triumphantly sing, Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever! You will observe in the connexion of the text, that, no sooner was Joshua pronounced a brand plucked out of the fire, and his filthy garments taken from him, than the Lord said unto him, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. Joshua could not have been persuaded of such forgiveness, had not the Lord thus spoken to his heart; and it is equally true, that the Lord, in all ages, speaketh peace to his people, that they turn not again

to folly. Therefore, let me assure every sensible sinner pre- sent, that, try whatever expedient you may, except the blood of Christ, you will utterly fail of pardon with your God, or of satisfactory relief to your guilty breasts. Be assured, that an application of Immanuel's blood will put out the fire of guilt in your hearts, and create the most charming satisfaction in the enjoyment of your God.To the SECOND QUESTION, on the possibility of a sinner, as a coal-burnt brand plucked from the fire, ever bearing the fruit of righteousness? I will reply. You know that the branch of a tree cut off from its stock, and then scorched and consuming by fire, can never again be engrafted; nor can it bud, blossom, or be covered with foliage and bear fruit. This is naturally impossible. It is equally, and morally impossible, for a sinful man, separated from communion with his God, ever, upon the principle of violated law, or what some call the principle of natural religion, to be restored. That this, however, upon other principles is possible, revelation, the GOSPEL, gives us a happy assurance. The answer to the question therefore is, The same Almighty arm that rescues the sinner as a burning brand, by his SPIRIT COMmunicates to it a principle of new and gracious life; and then, by the virtues of faith, sensibly unites it to Christ, the true and living Vine. Here, as the branch in the vine, so the soul of man, by virtue from Christ, progressively produces the buds of holy desires, expands the foliage of sacred knowledge, the flowers of affection, and the fruit of obedience, to the honour of God and the interest of mankind. So true is it, You hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins. The visibility of this new life, and the happy effects it produced, prompted Paul thus to congratulate the converts in his day: God be thanked, that though ye were the servants of sin, ye are now made the servants of God, have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Rom. vi. The same grace, you will perceive, was granted to Joshua, whom the text asserts was a brand plucked from the fire. He first received an as

surance that his iniquities were pardoned, and then immediately he entered upon the service of the Lord, to his personal honour and the benefit of Israel.

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From the answers I have now made to the two proposed questions, I presume you will be convinced, not only of the possibility, but of the certainty, that God can, by his Spirit and grace, so change and renew the soul of guilty man, as to enable him to produce the most happy fruit in this life, and thus habitually to prepare him for those joys which are at God's right hand for evermore. May this changing, glorious grace be conferred upon every unfortunate within these walls!

6. You will easily perceive that my text is in the form of a question-Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? It is, therefore, requisite for us to ascertain to whom it was addressed. I have no hesitation in saying, that it was first made to Satan, the adversary, who stood at the right hand of Joshua to resist him; and it is designed to show, how feeble was his infernal power to retain, or finally destroy, that brand which the Lord in his mercy is pleased to snatch from destruction.All Joshua's fellows, who are represented as standing before him, and as men wondered at: these certainly heard this triumphant question, as addressed to them; and who could not but have acknowledged the power of the Lord in rescuing the priesthood in the person of Joshua.-But, considering the question in application to any and every converted sinner, it will appear of still higher interest. With reverence 1 speak it, may not this question be proposed by Christ the Saviour, the Angel of the Divine Presence, to JEHOVAH HIS FATHER, when any sinner is plucked from the fire of indignation? For such an event is the fruit of the Father's love, as well as the sufferings and conquest of the Lord Jesus, and displays the glory of his grace.-As there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth, why not the question be proposed to them also, whenever a sinner is rescued from impending misery by the arm of the Saviour?-And, even on