truth delivered in a way so authoritative, who would not bend his utmost attention; especially, when the attestation relates to the greatest ber nefit which was ever bestowed on a lost world? God does not require us to believe so extraordi nary a fact as that of his having given toi uš eternal life in his own Son, without an adequate record; and when he condescends to bear wits ness to such a fact, we may be assured it is one of unspeakable moment. Let us then consider with due anxiety,od to 5.4 volt mida „stor

I. The gift which is

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here said to be cons d'd Cu batidos quisd buo II. The only means by which it can be obs tained wire os huolo ufo gus far hu pobir kun 19504 5799wt trils andr We notice, moned bis 12% ben stob L THE GIFT WHICH IS SAID TO BE CONFER RED: God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son

The gift which God bestows is ETERNAL LIFE. This life, strictly speaking, is that glos rious state of endless happiness which the saints in light enjoy before the throne of God; but it is frequently used in the Scripture to designate all those blessings which precede it and prepare the way for it; and is opposed to that everlast ing death which our sins had merited. With this latitude it is to be taken in my text.

ETERNAL LIFE, THEN, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF,

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is that state of consummate peace and holiness and joy which awaits the righteous in a future world. It is the unveiled presence of God. It is the fruition of his glorious Godhead *." It is the rest which remaineth for his faithful people. It is the inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that fadeth not away. It is the fulness of joy which is in God's presence, and the pleasures which are at his right hand for evermore.0} It is the blessedness which the sacred writers anticipate, when they speak of beholding God's face in righteousness, awaking up after his likeness, and being satisfied with it; of being with Christ; and of falling down before the throne, and saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing. This will be life fitly so called'; a life with no decay or impurity, no change or interruption, no satiety or weariness. It will be spiritual and perfect; immeasurable in its degree, eternal in its duration.olte jo 1 bd I'

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But, in addition to this, to this, ALL THOSE BLESSINGS WHICH PREPARÉ the Christian for this unutterable felicity, are also included in the expression Eternal Life. He that believeth on the Son of God HATH everlasting life. He be comes entitled to it upon his pardon and justifi

* Collect for the Epiphany. Ala

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cation before God, and his acceptance and adop tion into the divine family. He is an heir of God. He has the Spirit of holiness communi→ cated in regeneration, which is in him a well of water springing up to everlasting life. He has the pledges and anticipations of his full redemp tion in the seal and earnest of the Holy Ghost, The hope of eternal life is itself a prelude, of heaven. Besides which, the happiness of communion with God, the enjoyment of his paternal love, the calm pleasure of holy meditation, and the visits and manifestations of his Saviour's mercy, are all evidences that the Christian has eternal life abiding in him. These are of themselves unspeakable blessings; blessings, indeed, such as, previously to the full display of them in the Gospel, eye had not seen, nor ear heard, neither had entered into the heart of man.

In order, however, to understand better these remarks, we must contrast this eternal life with THE EVERLASTING DEATH WHICH IT REMOVES. For we were by nature children of wrath even as others. We had incurred by our sins the righteous curse of God's holy law. We were enemies in our mind, by wicked works. We were under condemnation. Banishment from the divine presence, the torments of a corroding conscience, misery unutterable of body and soul, the dreadful society of the devil and his angels, all the full inflictions of infinite wrath and infi

nite justice, whatever the provoked majesty of God could demand, or the avenging power of God put into execution all this we had incurred as transgressors against him. Estimate, then, the terror of this eternal death on the one hand, and the height of glory to which eternal life will raise us on the other, and you will be better able to appreciate the gift which we are now considering. Look down, if you can vent ture to do it, towards the impenetrable darkness of hell, and look up to the ravishing bliss of paradise; and when you have contrasted the two, say what must be that LIFE which delivers us from the one and bestows upon us the other.\^39

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But I proceed to notice, that God confers this blessing AS A GIFT-God hath GIVEN to us eternal life. This is a point which, we might think, could require little proof. For if we are all sinners against God, if we have forfeited his favour and lie under his curse, then how can salvation be obtained otherwise than as a gift? Where are the merits which are to purchase it? Where is the covenant of works which can convey it? Where the uninterrupted and perfect obedience which can fulfil the conditions prescribed for its attainment? Where the atone ment to repair the injured justice of the Lawgiver? Where the superabundant duties to make up for previous defects? Where the present security of virtue to prevent additional

faults? Where even the disposition of heart to turn to God? Where the relenting spirit which weeps for sin? Where the human strength which can lead us on against it, or the human resolution which can subdue it? In a word, where is the man who, on any supposable terms, can claim this salvation as a reward? To every one of these, and a thousand similar questions, there is but one reply-Man is by nature dead in trespasses and sins, unable to save himself, if he were disposed, and indisposed, if he were able.

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Eternal life, then, is undeserved, and is tuitously bestowed. By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. I give unto them eternal life. The gift of God is eternal life. Grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life. Every part of this unspeakable blessing, whether we regard the full fruition of it in heaven, or any of the preparatory steps to it, is spontaneously conferred, as by a sovereign who claims to himself the right of doing what he will with his own.

This will appear more evidently, if we consider THE PARTICULAR MANNER IN WHICH GOD GRANTS THIS INESTIMABLE GIFT.-This life is in his Son. God does not bestow it on man, as he did on Adam, but treasures it up for him in his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This still more directly shows that the blessing is entirely free. It