preach the gospel among the Jews, to whom it was a stumbling block, and among the Greeks, to whom it was foolishness,) should be delivered from this shame, and endued with sacred courage. "I am not ashamed," &c. This is an age wherein the gospel of our Redeemer meets with much contempt and opposition. Many there are who endeavour to find blemishes and defects in this gospel. The blessed word of God, that reveals his grace to us, meets with mockery and profane reproach from deists and unbelievers. Those, therefore, who believe this gospel from the heart, have need of courage to maintain their professions of it. Let us, therefore, meditate this sacred text, that each may pronounce boldly, "I am not ashamed," &c.

1. What the gospel of Christ implies.

1. The gospel of Christ is good news, or glad tidings. It is glad tidings of great joy to all people. Tidings of eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, health to the sick, strength to the weak, liberty to the captive, life to the dead, salvation to the lost, &c. Luke iv. 18, 19.

2. This gospel has gone through various editions. To Adam, after the fall. (Gen. iii. 15.) To Abraham. (Gen. xxii. 17.) By the prophets, by Christ, &c. (Heb. ii. 3.) The gospel, in its various editions, goes on this supposi tion, that man is in a fallen state, otherwise it would insult us, to offer pardon if we are not guilty, liberty if we are not tied and bound, holiness and not impure, &c.

3. Taking it for granted man is a fallen creature, how well suited are those blessings exhibited in the gospel to our condition. Isa. Iv. 1; Rev. xxii. 17.

II. What is implied in this expression, "I am not ashamed."

1. That he was not ashamed to believe it as a man; his natural powers gave him no secret reproof; his understanding did not reprove and shake his faith: his own reason approved it, and justified him in the belief of it. He believed it so firmly, as to venture his eternal concerns on it; his soul rested here, and he was not ashamed of his resting-place.

2. To profess it as a Christian. He was ready to tell the world that he believe was going to profess

THE RICHES OF DIVINE GRACE EXEMPLIFIED.

That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace.-Eph. ii. 7.

In these words we have the conclusion of the longest continued sentence, perhaps, in all the book of God, viz. from the 18th verse of the preceding chapter to this. It began with the "riches of glory," and it ends with the "riches of grace." It contains a parallel between what was done in Christ the head, and in us his members; that so in Christ's glory, as in a lively pattern already perfected, we might see what God had done, and will do for us, to the praise of his rich grace and glorious power. For this is the great and ultimate end of all, as is plain from the text, "That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace."

I. Speak of God's kindness to men in Christ.

1. This appears in the assumption of our nature to a personal union with himself. Ps. lxxxix. 19; Heb. ii. 16; John i. 14.

2. In his tasting of death in that nature. Heb. ii. 9.

3. In the resurrection of that nature from the dead. Rom. vi. 9; Matt. xxviii. 6; 1 Pet. i. 21; Acts xiii. 32, 33.

4. In giving it a glorious ascension into heaven. Ps. lxviii. 17, 18; Hel 301 Pet. i. 3. transgressors. Heb. vii. 25;

5. In his interce

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6. In bringing blessedness. Ps.

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5. Justification of their persons. Acts xiii. 38, 39; Ps. xxxii. 1.

6. In his adopting them into his family. Rom. viii. 17.

John iii. 1;

7. In the regeneration of their nature. 1 Pet. i. 3; Titus iii. 5.

8. In giving them victory over death. (Hos. xiii. 14; Ps. xxiii. 4; 1 Cor. xv. 55.

And, lastly, in their resurrection and glorification. Rom. viii. 11; John xvii. 24.

II. The objects of this kindness.

1. Creatures, frail creatures (Isa. xl. 6; Ps. ciii. 5, 6;) worms (Job xxv. 6; xvii. 14;) poor nothings. Isa. xl. 17. 2. As sinners. Impotent creatures (Rom. v. 6;) impoverished (Rev. iii. 17;) dead (Eph. ii. 1;) enemies (Col. i. 21;) they are rather devils than men. John viii.

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III. In what respects this kindness of God is through Christ Jesus.

1. It is through Christ Jesus, as he is the meritorious cause of all our blessings. Col. i. 20.

2. His kindness is through Christ Jesus, in regard that all God's kindness to us flows from his kindness to him (John xvii. 26;) and "we are accepted in the beloved." 3. Given to us through Christ. Rom. vi. 23. 4. As they are dispensed by Christ. Acts v. 31.

5. As Christ comprehends all God's kindnesses. Col. iii. 11; John iv. 10; Prov. viii. 35.

THE SECURITY OF TRUE CHRISTIANS, THE THEME OF THEIR CONSTANT EXULTATION.

Let the wilderness, and the cities thereof, lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.-Isa. xlii. 11.

THE preceding verses exhibit a clear prophecy of the Messiah, in the person, character, and office of Cyrus. Behold, he come b with infinite meekness, and invested with omnipotent power, for the arduous enterprise of our salvation. He wrought wonderful miracles, to show that he was the Messiah. Verse 1-11. By the top of the mountains, &c. we may understand that part of Arabia which is called Petres; i. e. rocky: not only Gentiles, but the rudest and most barbarous race of men.

The greatest scope of all the sacred scriptures is Christ the Saviour: as all the winding streams of a river lead to the fountain, so all divine revelation obviously point to the Redeemer. By the rock, therefore, understand (at least by way of accommodation) the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. x. 4; Ps. xviii. 46.

In what respects Jesus Christ may be considered as a rock.

1. In regard of his omnipotent power. Rocks have an amazing power to resist all opposing violence; Jesus Christ hath infinitely more. "Before him the mountains skip." (Ps. exiv. 4; Job xxvi. 14; Matt. xxviii. 18.) He overcame all the enemies of our salvation. "Travelling in the greatness of his strength, he went from conquering to conquer, till he bowed his head, and it was finished." This rock was smitten for us (lea. liii. 5;) in the clefts thereof we may find a secure retreat.

2. In regard to his splendour and ineffable greatness. Rocks may lie low and deep, but they rise high, their lofty heads divide the clouds; so Christ, when veiled in