II.
Let us survey the grace by which true believers are saved, as it
appears in the redemption by Christ. And to realize our object in
this proposition it may be eligible to notice - the person by whom
redemption has been effected, - the steps he was called to pursue in
order to accomplish it, - and the nature of it in general.
1.
Glance at the illustrious Person by whom redemption was wrought out,
that you may behold the riches of that grace by which believers are
saved. And it was effected not by a created angel, much less by man:
yea, the working out of redemption is not to be ascribed either to
the first or third person in the trinity. In the God-head there are
three equal persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - They
all concur in promoting the salvation of sinners: but Christ, the
eternal Son of God, and the second person in the Deity, is the author
and finisher of redemption. And as the Redeemer, we behold him God
and man in one person; or to adopt the language of the bible,
Immanuel; God with us. In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we
beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
Thus
GOD was manifested in the flesh: thus the Father sent the Son to be
the Saviour of the world. Having to mediate between God and man, it
was expedient that the nature of both should be united in the person
of the Mediator.
But
did the great Supreme provide so glorious a Mediator? Did he so far
regard the exigence, and compassionate the misery of his traitorous,
subjects, as to constitute his only begotten Son their Redeemer? His
Son, who was his daily delight, rejoicing always before him? His Son,
whom he commands all the armies of heaven to adore? Would not this be
too much grace even for a God to exercise and display? … God
so LOVED the world that he GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Herein
is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his
Son to be a propitiation for our sins.
Angels
are astonished at the grace manifested in the appointment and gift of
this great personage to be the Redeemer of sinful men: and shall not
we, who are so deeply interested in that grace, admire and magnify
it? Surely it behoveth us to exclaim, Herein
is love! How excellent is thy loving kindness O God!
2.
Trace the steps which the Lord Jesus Christ was called to pursue in
working out redemption for his people, that you may continue to
admire the grace by which believers are saved. His designation of God
to act in the capacity of a Mediator, and his assumption of human
nature, did not effect the redemption of the church, but placed him
in circumstances to redeem. To secure eternal redemption for us, it
was requisite that he should glorify God on earth, and finish the
work which he gave him to do; that he should be obedient unto death,
shed his blood, and lay down his life a ransom for sin. And did he
accomplish all this? Yes, for he was obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross; he did suffer for sins, the just for the unjust;
and to shew that he had completed the work appointed him to do, he
said, IT IS FINISHED1
When
the inspired writers direct us to the redemption by Christ, they
generally introduce his bloody sufferings and ignominious death as
the means by which it was effected. In
whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins
according to the riches of his grace. Take heed, therefore, to
yourselves, and to the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made
you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased
with his own blood. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed
with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from the vain
conversation received by tradition from your fathers: but with the
precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity.
