This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.

AMONG all the works of God which have come to our knowledge, the redemption of fallen men by Jesus Christ, is by far the most marvellous. Into this the angels desire to look, and, from this they learn the manifold wisdom of God.

When we behold the glorious Creator and Gova ernour of the universe, giving his own Son to death, that through him we might live-when we behold. this divine Saviour compassed with our infirmities, bearing our sorrows, and dying in our causewhen we behold him, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory, and bringing many to glory with him-we cannot but say, This is marvellous in our eyes.

In the contemplation of this work, some have thought it too marvellous to be believed, and have made the greatness of it an objection against its credibility.

This objection we have examined; and our examination, while it removes the objection, and confirms our faith in the great and admirable plan of the gospel, suggests to our minds various useful and important reflections.

1. The scheme of our redemption is a subject worthy of our frequent contemplation.

The scheme is wonderful; the more we view it, the more wonderful it appears; and the more wonderful, the more evidently divine; and if it is divine, it demands our attention and regard.

A design so grand in itself, so graciously adapted to human weaknesses and wants, and so clearly manifesting the glories of the Divine Character, will acknowledge no author less than God. All the works of the Lord are great, sought out by them who have pleasure in them. This work is peculiarly honourable and glorious. In this he appears gracious and full of compassion. In this he has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. Let this be forever remembered,

Meditation is a rational exercise, and the proper employment of an intelligent being. We have intellectual, as well as animal faculties, and the former as well as the latter ought to be applied to their proper objects. The contemplation of grand and noble subjects swells the soul, enlarges its capacity, exalts its powers, and purifies its affections. No subject can so usefully or agreeably employ our thoughts, as the work of our redemption; for there is none so great and wonderful, so solemn and awful; none in which we are so deeply interested, and in which the glories and perfections of the Deity are so clearly displayed. If the angels, who need no redemption, desire to look into the plan of ours, how much should it engage our attention, for whose benefit it was immediately designed;

That we may have more admiring apprehensions of this great work, we must become acquainted

with ourselves. The reason why many think of it so seldom, or so indifferently, and discern in it so little wisdom and grace, is their ignorance of their own character, and their insensibility of their own condition. Christ came to seek and to save them who are lost. Had not men been lost, they would have needed no redemption. Until they feel themselves lost they will not value nor accept redemption. To them, who realize their ruined and helpless state, a Saviour will be precious.

Humility is a necessary preparative for the kingdom of God. The knowledge of ourselves is the ground work of humility. Convinced that we are guilty before God, and condemned by his justice; that we can make no satisfaction to his justice, nor resistance to his power, we shall adore his wisdom and grace in giving a Saviour for us, and laying our help on one, who is mighty to save; we shall admire the compassion of the Saviour in bearing our sins on the cross, that we might live through him; we shall rejoice, that he was delivered for our offen. ces and raised for our justification; that he is gone into heaven to prepare a place for us, and has sent down his spirit to prepare us for a place with him

self.

Men's different apprehensions of the gospel scheme, are chiefly owing to their different views of themselves. The self confident and careless sinner will not submit to it, for he feels no need of it, and sees no excellency in it. The convinced and humbled sinner, realizing his own impotence and unworthiness, admires the salvation of the gospel, and earnestly desires to become a sharer in it. To him the invitations, calls and promises of the gospel, come with peculiar acceptableness.

That we may be better prepared for meditation on this marvellous work of God, we must be conversant with ourselves, search our hearts, try our

ways, know our guilt, and learn our weakness. The weary, the hungry, the thirsty, the poor and the sick, are called to the Saviour, that they may receive relief, comforts and supplies. They who fancy themselves to be full, and in want of nothing, will despise the call: To men of an opposite character it will come as tidings of great joy.

2. Our subject opens to us most glorious and astonishing prospects.

What a marvellous work God has wrought for the redemption of men! The end was certainly worthy of the means. The redemption then contains in it something far beyond all our conceptions. How vast must be that happiness, which was purchased by the death of the Son of God! It must be more than eye hath seen, or ear hath heard, or human heart conceived.

Our worldly prospects are low, confined and precarious. This life is short; the good which the world affords is but small, and only suited to the body. To obtain this, our endeavours are of uncertain success; and the little which we obtain is of uncertain continuance. Soon we must relinquish all, and lie down in the dust. Had rational beings nothing more to expect than what this world can give, deplorable would be their condition.

But the gospel opens to us brighter prospects. It assures us, that there is a future life; that the life to come is eternal, and the happiness of it complete. It does not yet appear what we shall be. But to raise our hopes and expectations, let us remember, that we are not redeemed with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus the Son of God. More than this cannot be said. Contemplate the greatness of the price, and you will have some idea of the value of the purchase. View yourselves as rational beings, designed for immortality-as soon to mingle with angels,

in the presence of God and the Redeemer-as there continually to grow in knowledge, improve in virtue, rise in dignity, and advance in glory and happiness, through endless ages-as, by and by, to become equal to angels, and, in the remoter periods of your existence, to be raised above the present perfection of angels-view yourselves in this light, and, Will you not be transported with the prospect before you ?-Will you not feel yourselves already on the wing, and elevated far above this earth? Will you not, from this exalted height, look down with indifference on all the little and lessening glories of the world; and, like the eagle, with strong and steady pinion, bear through this ter restrial atmosphere, full on the sun; rising, and rising, until you reach that glorious rest, which awaits you in yonder world?

3. What a firm and immoveable foundation has the Christian for his faith and hope!

When we consider ourselves as guilty, and the Almighty God as perfectly just and holy, we tremble in his presence. If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquity, O Lord, Who can stand? If thou shouldst contend with us, we cannot answer thee. When our iniquities take hold on us, How shall we look up?-But we will turn our eyes to the work of redemption. Here we see, that God is gracious and merciful, as well as holy and righteous. Here we see pardon and life purchased by the blood of his Son, for fallen and guilty men. There is forgive

ness with him. We will wait for the Lord, and in his word we will hope, for with him is mercy and plenteous redemption. He will redeem us from all our iniquities. He who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, How shall he not with him also freely give us all things? He who has sent his only begotten Son, that we might live VOL. I. I