advocate, he pleads the perfect fulfilling of all righteousness in the life and death of the God-man; and the Father's perfect acceptance of what he did and suffered, as the full redemption-price for all his people; and he carries his cause in the court of conscience. The awakened sinner is convinced, that the work of Jesus is a finished salvation, and that the divine record is a sufficient warrant for him to believe in it. Accordingly he gives it credit, and is enabled to plead it against guilt and fear. Upon which he finds peace with God. Trusting to the blood of sprinkling for pardon, and to the righteousness of Jesus for acceptance; he then sees God reconciled to him, and that reconciles him to God, and by the Spirit of adoption he cries "Abba, Father."

But, perhaps, it may be said "I believe this, but I do not find peace in my conscience." Nay, but you do not believe it; if you did, it would certainly bring present relief for guilt comes from the broken law, and from the apprehension of punishment deserved; but the law has been restored to

its dignity, and made infinitely honourable by the righteousness of Jesus; how can you believe this, and yet be under guilt? The punishment was laid upon Jesus; and he suffered all that was due to his people, as their atoning sacrifice; how can you believe this, and yet fear that justice will punish you? A debtor would not fear to be arrested, if his surety had paid the sum, and got him a full discharge. A felon, with the king's pardon in his pocket, would dishonour it greatly, if he was to live in continual dread and terror of suffering for his crime. Examine carefully, and pray for the right understanding of your case; and depend upon it, you will find that either you do not believe the matter of fact, or the record concerning it.

The matter of fact is the method provided for quieting the guilty conscience--a provision of exceeding rich grace, and of everlasting efficacy. The Father gave the Son to be the surety for his people, and to live and to die for them, and in their stead. The Son has finished the work which the Father gave

him to do; and is become the author of their eternal salvation.

The record of this fact is in the Scripture. Father, Son, and Spirit; the three witnesses in heaven, have, by covenant and oath, attested, that there is life for every one who believeth in Jesus. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Now consider, of what do you doubt? Has Jesus made full atonement for sin, and brought in everlasting righteousness? Has the Father demonstrated, again and again, his perfect delight in his person; and his infinite satisfaction in his work? Certainly you cannot question this doctrine, if you believe the Scripture to be a divine revelation. Do you doubt, then, of God's free promise, or of his faithfulness to fulfil it? What! Can his word be broken? Can his promise fail? His word and promise, ratified in the immutable covenant, and sealed with the immutable oath of the eternal Three? This is your warrant to believe. And do you question

the veracity of it?" He that believeth not God, hath made him a liar." O what a dreadful sin to give the lie to the Holy Trinity! The Father says, Whosoever cometh; the Son says, All that come unto me, shall be saved; the Spirit says, Come, whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely, and be saved. Are not these faithful sayings, worthy of all credit? especially as they are delivered with divine authority, under the great seal of heaven. If doubts still remain, pray against them, and meditate upon the unreasonableness, as well as the wickedness of them, and continue to hear and to read the word, (for faith cometh, and groweth too, by hearing,) that you may be enabled to put honour upon it, by venturing your soul upon the divine faithfulness, to make it good to you.

Perhaps you may believe the record which God hath given of his son, but you cannot do it with steadfastness: you can, at times, stay your mind upon God with sweet peace; but you are not able to maintain it: yea, you lose it when you want it most. How, in this

case, shall the believer keep the peace of God, ruling always in his conscience?

It is to be maintained in the same way by which it was first received. It came by believing, and is thereby strengthened. By the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ, peace was made between God and man; by the sprinkling of his blood, peace is made between man and God. When this is applied to the conscience by the Holy Spirit, and received by faith, there is a continual preservative against guilt--" For the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." Here is the witness of God; and it is always the same. This believed, will always bring the same cleansing virtue, and keep the conscience purged from dead works. If at any time guilt defile it, then unbelief has entered; and has been denying, either that the blood of Christ does cleanse from all sin, or that the divine testimony concerning it does deserve credit. Guilt cannot easily enter into the conscience, but by one of these two ways. Examine, and see which it is. Do