head of that innocent and adorable victim, it evinced its inflexible severity, its awful majesty, to an extent, and in a form never conceived before; and we may well suppose that superior intelligences turn from the contemplation of such a spectacle with a new impression of the Great Supreme, as a just God, and yet a Saviour.

He who derives from this doctrine the smallest encouragement to sin, has never either felt or understood it as he ought. He has never surveyed it in its most interesting aspect, in its relation to the character of God, the demands of his law, and the immutable rights of his moral administration. He has never, to speak in the language of scripture, seen the Son in such a manner as to believe on him; and, however he may be persuaded of the death of Christ as a fact, he is a total stranger to the doctrine of Christ crucified.

If the substitution of the Redeemer in the stead of a guilty race is admitted, it is easy to perceive that it is the only foundation of human hope; and that the attempt to combine it with any thing else as the material of justification, must necessarily be abortive. Nothing else can possibly stand in the same order. The merit of the Saviour, arising from his matchless condescension and love, in becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, is of so elevated and transcendent a kind, as to disclaim all association with the imperfections of human virtue as the basis of justification. The price of redemption (to use a scriptural

metaphor) has been paid; the justice of God is satisfied; a full and complete atonement has been made. Nothing remains on the part of the penitent sinner, but to receive the reconciliation, and, with the emotions of humble gratitude, to open his heart to that inspiration of love, which naturally results from the reception of so great a benefit.

The habitual contemplation of the cross of Christ, will be found the most effectual expedient for weakening the power of corruption, resisting the seductions of the world, and rising progressively into the image of God and the Redeemer.

It will, at the same time, lay the deepest foundation for humility. He who ascribes his salvation to this source, will be exempted from every temptation to exalt himself; and while he rejoices in the ample provision made for the pardon of his sins, and the relief of his miseries, he will join with the utmost ardour in the song of the redeemed: To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.