what was done for this people, both in the wilderness through which they passed, and in the land of promise which they gained. Their God "smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan; and gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people *." These his works illustrate his exalted and adorable character.

Cannot we

And what have we ourselves found? testify, in regard to the deliverances which we have experienced, that "our God is the God of Salvation?" When brought low, he has helped us; when in difficulty and in danger, he has rescued us. In weakness, he has given us strength; in sickness, he has restored our health; he has made darkness light before us, and crooked things straight in numberless instances. When beset with trouble and trial on every hand, it has been most evident that "our God" is mindful of us, and that salvation belongeth unto him. We know this: he hath delivered, he doth deliver, and shall we not trust in him that he will yet deliver? Yes; his name, and his character are unchangeably the same; and all his conduct, in all the dispensations of his Providence, confirm this pleasing and important fact-" He that is our God is the God of Salvation."

2. Spiritual redemption manifests it most clearly. No temporal deliverance that is effected, or that can be effected, is at all to be compared with this.

Its original contrivance is of the God of Salvation.

He devised the wondrous plan of redeeming the guilty, and saving the lost. In his eternal mind

Ps. CXXXV. 10-12.

the thought was clear, the purpose was fixed, the means were furnished, and the fulfilment was certain. Redemption could not have originated in any other way; and that which is the result of infinite wisdom must be wise; that which is the fruit of eternal counsel and love must be good, most worthy of God, and most beneficial to the sons of men.

Its actual accomplishment is by the God of Salvation. Who was it that undertook our great concern, that appeared in our nature, that "came into the world to save sinners?" It was Christ Jesus." It was "God manifest in the flesh."

Hear his own

words by the prophet; "There is no God else beside me, a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else."

me.

We contemplate with holy wonder the scene which was transacted on mount Calvary, when the Lord, the Saviour, said; It is finished! In that great

and awful event, a complete atonement was made for transgression; the law, in its strictest demands, was honoured; justice received full satisfaction; offended Deity became reconciled to rebellious man; and a way was laid open for the communication of the richest blessings to the most guilty. Salvation, therefore, is a work already accomplished, as it respects redemption by Jesus Christ. He hath redeemed us by his own blood: he hath delivered us from going down into the pit, in virtue of his own

ransom.

Its merciful discovery is by the God of Salvation. This good news is made known to us; but who makes it known? "Unto us is the word of this salvation sent:" but who sends it? In this book,

the Bible, Jehovah unfolds to us the kindness of his heart, the exceeding riches of his grace, his inestimable love in the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ. It is extremely desirable that the Bible should be regarded, more than it is, as a message of salvation. It is viewed by many too much as a book of rigid morality, as a system of duty, as requiring a great variety of tedious and difficult observances; consider it more as a system of life, as a message of mercy, as containing the good news of a full and free salvation, through an all-sufficient Redeemer ! "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." The kind errand on which he came he fully accomplished, and the Gospel unfolds the glorious fact: it brings "life and immortality to light." It develops truths of the first importance to man, and most worthy of "the God of Salvation."

By him also is its personal application.—Of what avail would redemption be as effected by Christ, and the report of it as given in the Scriptures, unless its blessings were brought home to the heart? This is the work of" our God!" By his Son he effects redemption for us; and by his Spirit he applies its invaluable benefits. The Gospel exhibits them; and the Spirit, clothing the Gospel with almighty energy, makes it "the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth." Think not that this is accomplished by human efforts, or outward means; it is the work of the Lord. May you be so convinced of this, as most earnestly to seek it of him! If the dark mind of man be truly enlightened, it is "the Lord's doing." If his hard heart be changed, his stubborn will subdued, his carnal affections sanctified, it is

"the Lord's doing." As the mere effort of man cannot open the eyes of the blind, or raise the dead ; so neither can any thing short of Divine energy raise a transgressor from a death in sin, or turn him from the power of Satan to God. If any of us are the subjects of evangelical repentance; if we have living faith in Christ; a good hope through grace; peace of conscience; joy in the Holy Ghost; sincere love to the Saviour; and that growing delight in him, and conformity to him, which this love produces ;-here is the application of the best blessings of redemption; and we stand the living witnesses of this important fact" He that is our God is the God of Salvation."

By him is its progressive enjoyment in the experience of its subjects. Believers are persuaded that He who hath begun a good work in them is able to perform it; and He alone is able. If you grow in grace, it is the Lord the Spirit who promotes this growth: if you die to sin, and live to holiness; if you get the victory over any evil passion, and improve in any Christian virtue, know, that it is not of yourselves; all is included in salvation; and this work, from first to last, is "of the Lord." It is a happy circumstance, and a most encouraging truth, that all our springs are in him, and all our help is from him; "neither is there salvation in any other.” Let this engage you to two things; live more dependant on the Lord, and look more diligently to him. He is faithful to every promise he hath made, who also will do as he hath spoken. And he hath engaged to be "the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."-Once more:

By him is its final result. And this result is heaven.-Redemption is complete when "the ran

somed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads;" when " they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. "Israel shall be saved in the Lord," not only with a present and progressive, but " with an everlasting salvation." It shall be perpetuated to countless ages; and the song of eternity shall be," Salvation to our God, who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."

The important fact, then, is abundantly confirmed and illustrated, in whatever view we regard it, from its original design to its final result; and whether we contemplate its actual accomplishment, its merciful discovery, its personal application, or its progressive enjoyment. "He that is our God is the God of Salvation ;" and the glory of this distinguished deliverance redounds entirely to him, from all its happy subjects. The building, the spiritual church of God, now gradually rising, ere long will be finished: the top-stone will be brought forth with shoutings "Grace, grace, unto it!" May you and I be living stones in this building! and join in that general ascription of praise-" Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us; but unto thy name be all the glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.'

II. We propose to IMPROVE THE SUBJECT by a few reflections.-And is " He that is our God the God of Salvation?" Then,

1. Learn your true condition as needing salvation. -There was much meaning in the truth which our Lord expressed; "They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." He meant it for the conviction of the people around him, as well as for the vindication of his own conduct, in associating