God's grace is here reprefented as eminently glo. rious. Goodness is the glory of the divine character; grace is the glory of the divine goodness; the plan of falvation for finners by Jefus Chrift, is the glory of divine grace. Here grace is exercised toward the most unworthy creatures, in the beftowment of the greatest of all benefits, by a method the most wonderful and expenfive, even the death of a divine Savior. The falvation of the smallest finner is abundant grace: but where fin has abounded, grace much more abounds.

God has made this difplay of his grace, that unworthy creatures might apply to him for falvation. His calls, invitations and commands are to all, without diftinction of character. "The righteouf nefs of God, through the faith of Jefus Chrift, is unto all, and upon all them who believe, and there is no difference." And left finners, conscious of aggravated guilt, fhould fear an exclufion from falvation, particular affurance is given, that Chrift came to fave the chief of finners; and fuch are diftinctly invited to come and receive the benefit of God's abundant grace.

The heralds of the gospel were fent forth to proclaim among the Gentiles the unfearchable riches of Chrift, not only that men might know, what was the hope of their calling, and what the glory of the heavenly inheritance, but also that principalities and powers in hevenly places might learn more of the manifold wisdom of God.

We are to praise the glory of God's grace by a cheerful compliance with the precepts, and thankful acceptance of the bleffings of the gospel. If, when God offers us his falvation, we will not receive it-if, when he holds out his pardon, we will continue in our fins-if, when Jefus has once died to expiate our guilt, we will open his bleeding wounds by our impenitence and unbelief-if, when the Spirit of grace ftrives for our recovery,

we will refift it-and when patience waits, we will harden our hearts; we treat the God of heaven with fuch ingratitude-we trample on his grace with fuch contempt, that the heavens must be aftonished. If he who wilfully tranfgreffes God's law deferves death without mercy, of how much forer punishment will they be judged worthy, who thus defpife and abuse his grace!

We are to praife God's glorious grace by a holy life. We then honor it beft, when under the influence of it we have our converfation as becomes the gofpel." The love of Chrift constrains us, fays the Appoftle," because we thus judge-that if Chrift died for us, we who live fhould not henceforth live to ourselves, but to him who died for us and rofe again; therefore, if any man be in Chrift, he is a new creature." He rejects with abhorrence the i deathat we should continue in fin, when grace abounds; for, fays he, "How fhall we, who are dead to fin, live any longer therein ?"

Chriftians are "a chofen generation, a peculiar people, that they fhould fhew forth the praises of him, who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light." Since they have obtained fuch mercy, let them abftain from fleshly lufts, and have their converfation in all good works.

We are to glorify God's grace by encouraging others to accept it. "God hath quickened us in Chrift," fays the Apoftle, " that in the ages to come he might fhew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness to us by Jefus Chrift." Of himself he fays, "I obtained mercy, that in me Jefus Chrift might fhew forth all longfuffering for a pattern to them, who fhould afterward believe in him to life everlasting." St. Peter exhorts those who had been called into God's marvellous light, "Have your conversation honeft among the Gentiles, that by your good works, which they behold, they may glorify God in the day of vifitation." If while

we profefs to be partakers of God's grace, we by the impurity of our lives ftrengthen bold tranfgref. fors, and lay ftumbling blocks in the way of little ones, we dishonor and reproach that grace which we ought to exalt.

› Believers will in a more perfect manner fhew forth the praise of God's glorious grace in the future world. Grace will there be all the burthen of their fong; and this they will fing in the highest ftrains. They will tune their harps to found the wonders of Creation and Providence: But when the glory of divine grace in the falvation of finners, efpecially in their own falvation, becomes the theme, then they will touch the moft fonorous ftrings. When they ftrike on this new fong, "Thou art worthy, for thou haft redeemed us by thy blood, and made us kings and priests unto thee," not only faints, but angels all around will catch the found, and every creature in heaven, and those redeemed from the earth, will feel the theme, and join their voices, faying, "Worthy is the lamb, that was flain, to receive power, and riches, and glory, and bleffing; and be thefe afcribed to him who fitteth on the throne, and to the lamb for ever and ever."

What now remains, my brethren, but that we all joyfully accept the overtures of divine grace? Are you convinced of your guilty, helpless condition? Here in Chrift Jefus is grace to help, and mercy to pardon you. Say not in your hearts, "We are by the purpose of God excluded from falvation." God's purpofe is not contrary to his word; his election contradicts not his grace. You are already chosen to the enjoyment of the gospel : You have already been made partakers of fome awakening influences of the Spirit: You have been called by the invitations of God. His word excludes you not, and you have no right to exclude yourselves. Remember, that they who are chefen to falvation,

are chofen to be holy. In a way of faith and penitence falvation is offered; in this way make your election fure. Comply with God's calls-his word will never fail. Remember your dependence on his grace, feek it humbly, accept it thankfully, receive it not in vain, walk worthy of him who has called you to his kingdom and glory.

SERMON V.

EPHESIANS i. 7, 8.

In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of fins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wifdom and prudence.

THE Apoftle, in the third verse of the context, celebrates the grace of God in the spiritual bleffings beftowed on our fallen race; and then proceeds to enumerate these bleffings. "He hath chofen us to be holy-predeftinated us to the adoption of children-made us accepted in the beloved -granted us redemption through Chrift's bloodrevealed to us the mystery of his will-gathered both Jews and Gentiles together in one body-and fealed us with the holy fpirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance."

The blefling mentioned in the text, is our redemption.

For the illustration of this privilege we may confider-Who are the Subjects of it ?-What is the nature of it ?—The way in which it is procuredthe fountain from which it originates-And the wifdom difplayed in it.

I. We are to confider, Who are the subjects, of this redemption?