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ENCOURAGEMENTS, MOTIVES TO OBEDIENCE. [SERM.

God so loved us when enemies, what may not those expect from him, who renounce every other plea and: flee for refuge to lay hold on this hope set before them? In every penitent who supplicates mercy for the sake of Christ and his atoning blood, the Redeemer "sees " of the travail of his soul, and is satisfied:" for this. very purpose he suffered and died on the cross," that "he might become the author of eternal salvation to "all them that obey him;" and on this ground we say, "Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the "Lord." And " if when we were enemies, we were "reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much "more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life." "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him 66 up for us all; how shall he not with him freely give "us all things?"

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But while we mingle our tears of godly sorrow with joyful thanksgivings, and glory in Christ Jesus amidst all our tribulations: let us also my brethren, look to the cross, and learn our obligations to the most self-denying and devoted obedience. Can we, with this object full in view, deem any expence too great, any sacrifice too costly, any cross too heavy, or labour too severe, which his glory, the authority of his command, or the benefit of his purchased flock, call us to undergo? Surely the constraining love of Christ will ren, der every loss or suffering tolerable yea pleasant, to the thankful believer; while he beholds the Lamb of God, expiring on the cross to take away that sin, which would otherwise have eternally ruined his soul; and to purchase for him everlasting and unutterable felicity!

Here too we must look, that we may learn patience,

XVIII.] TRIBULATION AND ENMITY TO BE EXPECTED.

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meekness, spirituality, and every part of that holiness to which we are called. Hence we must draw our motives and encouragements; and here we must view that perfect example, which we are required to copy, Forgiveness of injuries, love of enemies, perseverance in well doing amidst insult, contempt, and ingratitude, and compassion to perishing sinners, are best learned by looking to the cross; by witnessing the triumph of divine love in the sufferings of Emmanuel, and hearing him mingle his dying groans, with prayers for his cruel and insulting murderers.

Meditation on this subject may also convince us, that we must expect tribulation in the world, and the enmity or contempt of unbelievers, if we belong to Christ and bear his image. His wisdom, holiness, and love were perfect: yet no one of our race ever experienced such hatred and insult from all ranks, orders, and descriptions of men, as the spotless Lamb of God! Malefactors commonly meet with some pity amidst their tortures, however merited: but Jews and gentiles, rulers, scribes, priests, soldiers, and the mul titude, could unite in cruel mockery of the holy Jesus, when expiring on a cross! Away then with all those flattering sentiments of human nature, which represent it as loving and delighting in genuine excellency: the cross of Christ, and the sufferings of his most faithful servants in every age, form a demonstrative confutation of the proud delusion! And if our hearts have been changed by divine grace; so that we love and imitate the lowly and holy Saviour: let us count our cost, expect scorn and hatred from men, tribulation in the world, and peace and consolation from the

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CONCLUDING WARNINGS AND EXHORTATIONS."

Lord alone. Let us also look beyond the cross, and contemplate the glory which followed: that we may not be wearied and faint in our minds. We too have a joy set before us: let us then endure our lighter cross and despise the shame; assured that if we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with him in glory.

But my fellow sinners, where will you appear at his second coming to judge the world, if you now neglect his great salvation? If you join his enemies; and, by cleaving to your sins, prefer Barabbas to Jesus, sell him as Judas did for a few pieces of silver, or determine you will not have him to reign over you? Still he invites you to come to him that you may have life eternal: Oh! that you would seek to him as a Saviour, who will shortly come to be your Judge.

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In fine, contemplating the cross of Christ teaches us most effectually every lesson contained in the sacred scriptures. Let us then my brethren, further prosecute our meditations at the Lord's table: and while we remember the love and sufferings of our Redeemer, let us renew our repentance and acceptance of his salvation, and give up ourselves to his service; that, "as bought with a price, we may glorify him with "our bodies and spirits which are his,"

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WE learn from this chapter, that certain persons among the Corinthians had denied the doctrine of a resurrection; probably explaining away the apostolical language on that subject as figurative, and only meaning conversion, or that change which took place in the world by the introduction of Christianity2. In confuting this dangerous error, the apostle called their attention to the resurrection of Christ, as an undeniable fact: and he shewed, that the denial of a resurrec tion was equivalent to saying that Christ was not risen; and thus tended to subvert the foundation of Christianity, and to destroy the hopes and comforts of believers. "If there be no resurrection of the dead, then " is not Christ risen: and if Christ be not risen, then " is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain: "" yea, and we are found false witnesses for God. And if Christ be not raised,-ye are yet in your sins; then * Easter Sunday, 1796. 2 Tim. ii. 17, 18,

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REMARKS ON THE CONTEXT.

[SERM.

"they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of "all men most miserable." All the joys and supports of Christians are inseparably connected with future and eternal felicity; without the hope of which they would have nothing to counterbalance their peculiar trials and conflicts.

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If Christ were not risen, believers were yet in their sins, and even the martyrs had finally perished. But were not the primitive Christians converted from idols to serve the living and true God? Did they not repent and do works meet for repentance? Were they not exemplary in the practice of all good works? did they not meet death for the sake of a good conscience towards God? How then could they be yet in in their sins?-Because, none of these things could atone for their transgressions; and, if Christ were not risen, no effectual atonement had been made: they must therefore have still continued under condemnation, and exposed to the curse of the law they had broken. A most conclusive proof, that the death of Christ was a vicarious satisfaction for sin; and that none can be saved, who are not interested in that atonement!

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It is deemed uncandid to charge men's doctrines with the consequences resulting from them; especially if they do not seem to perceive them. Yet I apprehend we should feel our selves bound to warn people against the consequences of taking a poisonous mixture, even if he who administered it seemed not aware of its nature: and the apostle has here set us the example of doing the same, in opposing erroneous doctrinęs by which immortal souls are fatally deceived,

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