SERMON XI.

THE LESSONS OF GRACE.

The

TITUS, ii. 11, 12.

grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

THE Turks, and other disciples of Mahomet, are in the habit of carrying about them, in writing, verses of the Koran, their sacred book, which they imagine to keep them from the power of evil spirits. It might not be altogether amiss for Christians to imitate this practice, though not for so superstitious a purpose. I am sure, however, that there are evil spirits enough

about, and sometimes within us, which might be conquered and driven away by a proper use of texts from the gospel of our Lord Jesus. To have about us chosen verses from that divine treasure-house of wisdom, might often supply subjects for reflection, when the mind might otherwise be employed upon idle, if not positively evil, thoughts. Of all single passages of scripture, I am not sure that any affords more useful matter for the Christian's meditation than that which I have placed at the head of this discourse. It is a map or plan of the whole gospel in miniature; it tells us to what we owe our salvation, how we are saved, and what we are to do towards it on our own part.

In examining this text at present, let us divide it into two parts; and, having considered each of them separately, observe how admirably they unite in the great work of man's redemption.

I. "The grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto men." Here we have it distinctly stated that we owe our salvation simply and solely to the grace or

unsought and unmerited goodness of God. In this truth, many other expressions, equally strong and unquestionable, agree: How, indeed, could it be otherwise? The redemption of mankind was, as it were, purposed and contrived before the world and its inhabitants were made; their sin and its dreadful consequences were foreseen; and the sacrifice for that sin, the "Lamb of God was slain," that is, decreed to be slain," before the foundation of the world." Thus far, it is evident that man could have had no part or lot in the matter. It may be said, however, that after man was made and had sinned, he might in some way have purchased or merited this salvation by his own conduct. This notion must be disproved; and it may be with the greatest ease. The scriptures positively state, that when Christ brought salvation to mankind, the whole world was lying in wickedness: the virtue and faith of such good men as Simeon, Nathaniel, Joseph, and others, prove nothing to the contrary; for, both in virtue and faith, they were, in fact, disciples of Christ, in whom they be

lieved, though he had not yet appeared in the flesh; looking forward, as the scriptures declare, "for the hope of Israel.” Look at the heathen nations at this day, the people who know not God; pride, revenge, and savage cruelty are accounted virtues among them: and how far should we differ from them, if we had not the gospel of love and peace-how far did we differ from them before the light shone upon our island? Nay, I fear we may ask, do many who have heard the gospel differ greatly from these benighted heathens in their hearts? Instead, therefore, of supposing that for any goodness which God saw in his creatures he granted them salvation through Jesus Christ, I draw the very opposite conclusion-that in compassion to our helplessness in iniquity, by his grace he saved us; and this opinion is positively backed by the gospel itself"Herein," says St. John, "herein is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to be a propitiation for our sins." "But God," says also St. Paul, "commendeth his love toward us, in

that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." We We may therefore consider this one of the plainest and best-established truths of the gospel-that God sent his Son into the world to die for sinners, moved thereto solely by his own merciful goodness and compassion upon our lost and sinful state.

The same must be said with respect to our each receiving the gospel at this day, from first to last, throughout the whole business of our salvation, "it is the grace of God; all notion of merit on our part must be set aside-" Boasting," as St. Paul says, "is excluded."

As our salvation at last is the forgiveness of our sins by the mercy of God in Christ Jesus; so is our receiving the gospel and turning to seek that mercy, the work of his Holy Spirit. The heart of man, before the Spirit has converted it, is carnal; and "the carnal mind is enmity against God." Well, therefore, has our Saviour said "No man can come to me unless my Father draw him." Now, by this spirit of the Father, which draws us to Christ, we are