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substitution, and there is no more ground for reliance on the obedience of Christ, than for reliance on the obedience of Gabriel. We are made the righteousness of God, because we are in him, as our proxy and our head. Because he wrought the justifying righteousness, not only in our nature, but in our name, not only as our benefactor, but as our representative.'

That the Redeemer of mankind acted, and was treated throughout the whole of his humi liation, as the surety of sinners, will appear abundantly manifest, if it be remembered that in him, personally considered, there was no

sin, neither was guile found in his mouthHe was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he was smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chas tisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed for the transgression of my people was he stricken.' His immaculate life and expiatory death magnified

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the law and made it honourable.' The divine statute received at his hands, as the surety of the church in our nature, ample reparation: and this obedience and this death, are the only ground of an awakened sinner's hope of mercy and of pardon.

Now, when a sinner believes the record, 'that God hath given to us eternal life, and that this life is in his Son:' when he looks to Calvary, and views the suffering Saviour as wounded for his transgressions-as bruised for his iniquities-the law which, as a covenant of works, held the soul in bondage, ceases to harass and distress. He sees all its claims on him as a debtor, completely cancelled by the payment of his adorable substitute: nothing. left for him either to suffer or to do, in order to acquire either exemption from punishment, or a right to life.' An acquittal from guilt and condemnation is announced to the conscience; and he perceives with astonishment and gratitude, that the great Lawgiver of the universe, in whose sight the heavens are not pure, is nevertheless a just God and a Saviour!

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Permit me, therefore, to repeat, that justification is not to be obtained by the works of the law-by any peformances of ours, but by a righteousness which, in opposition to the righteousness of men, is expressly called the righteousness of God-even the righteousness which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all them that believe-whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free-for there is no difference.' Him hath the divine Father set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time, his righteousness; that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.'

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By this work of our heavenly Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ, that holy law which we have broken is highly honoured; and that aw

ful justice which we have offended is completely satisfied. By this righteousness the believer is acquitted from every charge, is perfectly justified, and shall be eternally saved. In this consummate work, Jehovah declares himself well pleased, and in it all the glories of the Godhead shine.-Yes, the obedience of our adorable Sponsor is perfect as divine rectitude could require; and excellent as eternal wisdom itself could devise. Admirable rightousness! who, that is taught of God, would not, with Paul, desire to be found in it! and who, that is conscious of an interest in it, can cease to admire and adore the grace that provided, and the Saviour that wrought it ? Surely,' shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory.'

To this almighty Saviour our original and offending parents were mercifully directed for relief. To set before them the gracious design.

and end of his coming in the flesh, proper means were instituted. All the sacrifices that were offered to God under the various dispensations of grace, had reference to him as their antitype. But, by reason of the imperfection which was natural to them as types, they could answer no higher end than to point the sinner to this bleeding Lamb figuratively slain from the foundation of the world. The Jewish rites and ceremonies, though of divine origin, were only shadows of good things to come; and, therefore, could never remove guilt from the conscience. The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did -which hope is Christ. To him, the bleeding sacrifice, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot to God, the eye of faith ever looks for pardon and for peace. Through him is communicated every spiritual blessing. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom, and of knowledge. He is the fountain of life and the source of felicity. He is peace to the troubled, and rest to the weary. To all that seek him sorrowing, he is their exceeding joy and great reward. These are the

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