uncreated purity, O let him be greatly abased; let him put his mouth in the dust, take shame to himself, and cry out, "Unclean! unclean!" According to this translation of the words, you see the doctrine of man's universal depravity is as ancient as the times of Job; and that there is no possibility of being justified by any personal accomplishments or acquirements, was expressly taught in those early ages.

O that it may be as unfeignedly believed in these latter days!" But if this be the case," says an inquisitive hearer; "if all men are become abominable; if their best deeds are stained, and there are none that are righteous before God, no not one; how shall they be accepted when they are judged?" Why, by a method that lies vastly beyond the reach of human wisdom or device. By a method, that was but dimly hinted at in the generations of old, but is clearly revealed by the apostles and preachers of the gospel; even by the obedience of Jesus Christ; by a righteousness not wrought by us, but imputed to us. The nature of which imputation we have already illustrated, and shewn the sufficiency of our Redeemer's obedience for this purpose. Which two points being dispatched,

III. I am to shew you how "worthy of all acceptation" this method of becoming righteous is; and that, as it is perfectly consonant to the ancient prophecies; as it gives the highest glory to God; and as it yields the richest consolation to man.

1. This method of becoming righteous through the obedience of Christ, is perfectly consonant to the tenor of ancient prophecies. In the patriarchal age, God promised to Abraham, and renewed the gracious assurances to Isaac, "that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed." Now, what was this but a discovery of this evangelical doctrine? It was, indeed, somewhat obscure then; but it is clear as the day now. The seed of Abraham is doubtless our glorious Mediator, who, in the fulness of time, took flesh, and was born of a descendant from

Abraham. In him all the elect under heaven shall be blessed. Observe, not in themselves, not for any excellency that is in them; but in him they shall inherit all heavenly blessings. He is the Alpha and Omega of our happiness; the beginning and the end, the cause and the consummation of all our joy. He is the only spring and fountain of all blessedness, as much as yonder sun is the only fountain of this light that now shines around us. Every ray of light that falls upon our eyes, proceeds altogether from that bright luminary; we do nothing towards enkindling it; we only use its beams, and rejoice in its splendour. So fallen man can do nothing towards procuring the favour of his almighty Maker; but can only, by faith in Jesus Christ, receive it, already procured; and testify his gratitude for it, by a cheerful obedience.

In the prophet Isaiah, we find the following passages. God the Father, speaking of his obedient and beloved Son, has this remarkable expression: "By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many." Here infinite Wisdom informs the whole world, how they must expect justification and final acceptance. It is entirely through his dear Son, our divine Mediator: His holy life and propitiatory death are the only procuring causes of our forgiveness, the only conditions of our salvation; and a true knowledge of him, a right belief in him, make the merit of both our own.*

God says not, he shall make them capable of reconciliation; he shall in part justify; he shall fill up their deficiency, and perfect what is wanting in their duties. No! but he shall accomplish the whole work; he shall execute the great office without a rival; without a partner, he will justify the faithful, and not they themselves.

* From a saving knowledge of Christ, and by faith in him, we are manifestatively interested in what he has done and suffered. Our interest in his righteousness must, in the very nature of things, have been prior to our sense of interest in it; otherwise all sense of it would be delusive, and conversant with a nonentity.

2. This method of becoming righteous, through the obedience of Christ, is worthy of all acceptation, because it gives the highest glory to God. Nothing can be so effectually calculated to abase the sinner, and exalt the Saviour, as this way of obtaining salvation. This will bring down the lofty look of man; this will lay every assuming thought in the very dust, and leave the Lord alone glorious and exalted. This thoroughly secures to God his great prerogative, and utterly excludes human boasting, and brings unmingled honour and glory to the Surety of men. Whereas, was life eternal the reward of their own works, there would be some pretension for self-admiration. Men would arrogate some of the merit to themselves, and say in their hearts, "My power, and the might of my hands hath gotten me this wealth." If they were to expect the blessing of the eternal state as wages which they have earned, O what a damp would this strike on their thankfulness! how little would they think themselves obliged, and, indeed, how little would they be obliged, to God their Saviour on this footing! But, when saints in light view their heavenly inheritance; when they survey that great, exceeding great and eternal weight of glory, and remember that they did nothing to deserve all this ineffable felicity; that if it had not been procured entirely by their dying and obedient Saviour, they had been everlastingly banished from the realms of blessedness; O what pure and fervent gratitude must this inspire them with! what an emphasis and ardour, while they utter that devout acknowledgment, "Not unto us, O Lord! not unto us, but unto thy dear and adorable name be the praise! We were enemies in our minds, and by our wicked works; but thou hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood: all our choicest actions were polluted and unclean; but thou hast worked out for us a perfect and everlasting righteousness."

Thus will adoration and love be given to the Lamb that was slain; every crown will be cast low before

the throne, and wear this humbling motto, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us." O the depths both of the wisdom and goodness of God! Good

ness, in establishing such a method of salvation for us, in all things so well ordered and sure! Wisdom, in cutting off all occasion of self-glorying, and bringing man to the deepest humiliation, even while it exalts him to the heaven of heavens !

3. This method of becoming righteous through the obedience of Christ, is worthy of all acceptation, because it administers the richest consolation to man : it is an inexhaustible spring of satisfaction and repose.

Luther, that renowned reformer and great champion for the Protestant cause, when he broke away from the mists of Popery, and began to understand this most noble peculiarity of Christianity, declared, that "the gate of Paradise seemed to fly open to his view; that he had a glimpse of its beauty in contemplating this sacred truth, and a taste of its delights in believing it; so sweet a composure and such a charming tranquillity did it diffuse through his mind." Nor do I wonder at his saying, "for, while we are ignorant of this doctrine, there is nothing but horror and dread around us." If we strike this text from our Bible, or this article from our creed, all is dismal and distressing. Turn which way you will, the prospect is uncomfortable. If we look to ourselves, we shall find misery and guilt; if to God, nothing but indignation and displeasure. But this brightens up the whole scene. Let us observe, in the character of a feeble Christian, and of an awakened profligate, what glad tidings the gospel is by virtue of this doctrine, and what a miserable comforter it would be without it. The language of the former, in his private meditations, must proceed in some such manner as this: "Wherewithal shall I come before the most high God? Shall I offer him my pious services? Alas! they are miserably defi

cient; they issue from a corrupt stock, and cannot but be corrupt shoots. I have done nothing that is worthy of his acceptance; how then shall I stand in his sacred presence! I strive to be perfect and entire, and wanting nothing; but I feel myself to be poor and indigent, and wretchedly defective. O whither shall I go, but to him who is appointed for this very purpose that the bones which are broken by misery and guilt, may rejoice; that the hands which hang down, through self-condemnation and despondency, may be lifted up? Thither then will I turn, frail and dispirited as I am, and cast all my burden upon the Lord Jesus Christ: in his unspotted righteousness, and in nothing else, can the sole of my foot find any rest. When doubts arise, and fear, like a gloomy cloud, thickens around me, this Sun of righteousness shall dissipate the gloom in all my pilgrimage: this shall be my constant song; in all my anxieties this shall be my only cordial: "Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou so disquieted within me? O put thy trust in Jesus Christ!" His merits, and not thine own works, are the horn of thy salvation: whosoever believeth in him, shall not be confounded." And as for the poor sinner brought to a sense of his enormous crimes, methinks I hear him bewailing his condition in some such disconsolate manner: "O wretched man that I am! how shall I attain the favour of God? My sins are multiplied above number, and aggravated beyond expression. I cannot make any satisfaction for what is past, much less can I win the divine good-will for the future. I am polluted, root and branch; what can I do?" Truly, sinner, I know not what thou canst do, unless thou comest to Jesus Christ: there is not a gleam of hope, or a grain of comfort, in all the universe besides. If thou lamentest thy folly, and seest thy undone state, “with the Lord there is mercy," abundant mercy, and with the Lord Jesus Christ there is "plenteous redemption." If thou canst rely on Christ, thy iniquities shall be done away like a morn