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That when the names of many "wise men, and mighty, and noble" are probably omitted, thy worthless name is selected and carefully enrolled in the records of life; that one so poor, abjectly poor as thou art should be predestinated to an inheritance inconceivably great, an inheritance incorruptible, and eternal in the heavens; that one so impure, so deformed as thou art should be clothed with change of raiment, a "garment of wrought gold," splendid and perfect as the infinite Surety could prepare; that one, whose habitation is in the dust; who is destitute perhaps of a shelter from the scorching heat or the wintry blasts should be chosen to a house not made with hands, a mansion above the skies more costly than angels occupy; that one, who is now slighted or despised as insignificant and contemptible, is destined to shine as a star or a sun in the kingdom of God? Surely thy heart should be all gratitude, thy lips all praise, and thy life one constant, ardent course of obedience to HIM who hath loved thee with an everlasting love. And, O christian, all the mercy manifested in thine election, thy vocation, thy consolation, through the occasional assurances of thy Father's love, is the certain earnest of every possible blessing through eternity to come. Being predestinated, thou art already called; being called,thou art completely justified; and being justified, thou wilt certainly and shortly be glorified. As every comfortable persuasion that Jesus

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is thine, is a counter-part to thine election "before the world began;" it is also the first fruits of a full harvest of blessings when this world with all its toys shall for ever have an end. Then, with thine understanding inconceivably enlarged, and a voice improved and elevated beyond what thou canst now imagine, thou shalt sing of the mercies of Jehovah for ever; thou shalt trace all the streams which occasionally refresh thee on earth, and those rivers of consolation which uninterruptedly overflow thy soul in heaven to ELECTING LOVE as the spontaneous, unexhausted, everlasting spring. AMEN. So let it be; so it shall be to the glory of free grace, and thine eternal rejoicing,

SERMON IX.

The condescension of the Eternal Son in becoming our Surety.

2 CORINTHIANS VIII. 9.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.

ALL those discords which distract the counsels, and enfeeble the efforts of mortals, whether in matters civil or sacred, may be traced to human imperfection as their source. A partial blindness clouds the un

derstanding of the most enlightened; measures therefore which appear eligible to one man, to another seem inexpedient or impracticable: the demon of jealousy often finds admission into the bosom of the most disinterested, and leads them coldly to receive, or decidedly to oppose plans which they must secretly approve; they are afraid that the execution of the scheme might raise an inferior nearer to a level, or give complete ascendency to a rival; but in proportion as the understanding expands promptly to discern the fitness of things, and the heart is improved cordially to embrace what is excellent, union of sentiment will adorn their deliberations, and their strength will be directed to one point for the execution of every measure, whether more limited, or more extensive in its tendency. They will see eye to eye;" they will co-operate hand in hand, and "with the voice they will sing together. Among the INFINITE THREE, who are perfection itself, harmony sublime and uninterrupted everlastingly reigns: What either divine Person wills, all the divine Persons will: As their Essence is one, their plans and operations are necessarily one. Although in the economy of human salvation each assumes a distinct office, yet he assumes and executes this office in perfect concurrence and co-operation with the others. While the everlasting Father spares not his own son," but delivers him up to redeem, the Son, spares not himself,

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but cordially "gives his life a ransom for many. Ye know the grace of our Lord Je Christ, that though he was rich, for your sakes he became poor.

The apostle makes a direct appeal to these Corinthian converts, "ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus." He did not mean that they fully comprehended this mystery in all its vast extent, because it is utterly incomprehensible by any created mind whether human or angelic; it is an ocean without bottom, which can never be fathomed; an ocean without bounds which cannot pos sibly be measured. But they knew it doctrinally in their heads; this grace had often been announced and extolled among them by the apostles of our Lord: These inspired preachers of righteousness had "determined to know nothing" in that, or any other church, "but Jesus Christ, and him crucified;" they had exhibited the infinite Redeemer in the height of his elevation as God, and the depth of his degradation as man, to be the chief of the ways of God; to be the greatest mystery of wisdom and condescension that was ever displayed: These Corinthians knew him experimentally and savingly in their hearts; they had received not merely the teaching of apostles, but an "unction of the holy One by which they knew all things-This all-mighty, all-gracious Agent had enlightened "the eyes of their un derstandings to know what was the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory

of his inheritance among the saints:" This latter teaching is infinitely the most important and effectual; it enlightens the mind; it purifies the heart; it spiritualizes the affections; it regulates the conversation, and finally saves the soul.

In the discussion of these words, we are led to consider, 1. The original, underived glory of Jesus; "he was rich:" 2. His subsequent abasement, and humiliation he "became poor:" and 3. The condescension manifested in that transaction, expressed by the term "grace."

The original condition and glory of Jesus first demand our consideration. "He was rich." It is common to pronounce the man rich who has large possessions, accumulated treasures, and a numerous train of attendants subject to his authority, and ready to execute his commands. This phrase, however, when applied to Jehovah, contains a meaning which no language can express. Do we speak of possessions? "the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof;" do we talk of treasures? "the silver and the gold" he claims as his own; do we speak of attendants? "the world is his, and they that dwell therein; add to the inhabitants of our earth those exalted spirits which encircle his throne above:-"They are all ministering" servants to Him their Creator and Lord; they ever wait ready to spread their wings, and fly as instruments of blessing to his choor indignation to his adversaries.

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