render them a full atonement for the sins of the world. With his sufferings, therefore, the holy law was more fully satisfied than it could have been if the whole human race had been subjected to punishment, and banished for ever to hell,

Thus a way has been opened in which God can treat with rebel men; in which He can be just, and yet justify the ungodly. He can now, consistently with his honour, send his Gospel to proclaim mercy to lost mankind; to proclaim that "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." He now entreats men to be reconciled unto Him, and declares that whosoever throws down the weapons of rebellion, and accepts the offered grace, shall be restored to his favour, and be for ever blessed. Nor does it signify to what extent his rebellion has been carried: "Whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely."

Here then, reader, you see something of the boundless love of God to men. Ought it not to excite your admiration, to affect your heart, and to constrain you to love him " with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind?" If you have been taught by the Holy Spirit the truth as it is in Jesus, such is the effect which

the consideration of the rich and free love of God will have on you. You will meditate on it, admire it, and be influenced by it to a life of holy devotedness to Jesus. You will desire, pray, and strive that you, "being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

Perhaps you, reader, are an awakened sinner. You are sensible of the number and nature of your sins. They appear to you so numerous and aggravated, that you almost despair of mercy. Be it so; yet from the proper consideration of the love of God you may derive comfort and hope. Think, God loved the world so as freely to give his Son to suffer and die, "that the world through him might be saved." Will He not save you, "O ye of little faith?" whatever your past character may have been, whatever your present circumstances may be, if you submit to his mercy, and receive Jesus as your Saviour, his word says you shall never

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Yes;

perish, but have everlasting life." He who so loved you, as to give his Son for you, will freely save you through his Son. "Trust in the mighty Saviour's name, and you shall never die."

But perhaps my reader is a careless, thoughtless person, one who has never yet thought about the love of God; or, if he has bestowed a transient thought on the subject now and then, has only done it to encourage this conclusion, "God is too good to punish his creatures.” Art thou, reader, such a person? Oh, let me give you this caution! Beware how thou abuse the love of God. If thou slight that love, if thou reject Jesus, the precious gift of that love, if thou, by the consideration of it, encourage thyself in presumptuous confidence, thou dost but abuse it to thy own ruin. While it is true that God so loved the world as to give his Son to save, it is equally true that they who refuse the mercy offered through Jesus, and persist in their rebellion, must perish; and their ruin will be aggravated by the fact, that God has made provision for their salvation, and they have rejected it. Know, O thoughtless reader, that your rebellion against God has subjected you to the condemnation of his law; and if thou in thy present course persevere to the end, thou wilt find that word true, "He that believeth not shall be damned."

DISCOURSE VI.

THE EARLY LIFE OF JESUS.*

THERE are some persons so great, and some so good, that every little incident in their lives becomes interesting. We eagerly read the history of the man whose military exploits have astonished the world, and whose name resounds from Europe to the Indian shores. We read with pleasure the history of the philanthropist Howard, who lived and acted for the good of mankind, whose benevolence was, in a sense, universal, and whose exertions in the cause of suffering humanity were unceasing. Of persons like these the early life possesses an especial interest. Having heard of their fame, having seen displayed the greatness of the one and the goodness of the other, we long to know their

• Luke ii.

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whole history, and to dwell on those minuter actions and movements which exhibit them in all their modes of existence.

Now it is certain that no person ever yet appeared in our world combining in himself such an assemblage of excellencies, such greatness and goodness, such dignity and holiness, such majesty and grace, as Jesus. It is, therefore, natural for us to wish to know his whole history; and to institute respecting him such inquiries as these: "How did he spend his childhood? In what exercises did he engage? What were the opinions of persons concerning him? Did any emanation of dignity and glory shine forth in him? To satisfy these inquiries our materials are extremely scanty; for it is to be observed, that all is not taught respecting Jesus which might have been made known. The sacred penmen have taught us those things only of him which immediately belong to, and were absolutely necessary for, our everlasting peace. But little is said of our Lord's life from his second to his thirtieth year. Infinite Wisdom saw it not necessary: besides, had all been said which might have been said, the time of our continuance on earth would not be sufficiently long for us to read the whole. The Evangelist John says, "And there are also many other