in the fmaller parts, analogous to what we obferve in the vifible creation, and anfwerable to what, an enlightened and humble mind, may expect in a book, which bears the character of a divine revelation. A single verse, a fingle claufe, when viewed (if I may fo speak) in the microfcope of clofe meditation, is often found to contain a fulness, a world of wonders. And though a connected and comprehenfive acquaintance with the whole fcripture, be defirable and ufeful, and is no lefs the privilege, than the duty, of those who have capacity and time at their own dispofal, to acquire it; yet, there is a gracious accommodation to the weakness of some perfons, and the circumftances of others. So that in many parts of fcripture, whatever is immediately neceffary to confirm our faith, to animate or regulate our practice, is condenfed into a small compafs, and comprized in a few verses: yea, fometimes a single sentence, when unfolded and examined, will be found to contain all the great principles of duty and comfort. Such is the fentence which I have now read to you. In the Meffah, it is inferted in the grand chorus taken from the 12th and 13th verses of this chapter.

chapter. And as it may lead us to a compendious recapitulation of the whole fubject, and, by the Lord's bleffing, may prepare us to join in the following afcription of praise to him that fitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb; I purpose to confider it in its proper connection, as a part of the leading fong of the redeemed before the throne, in which the angels cannot fhare. Though the angels, from their love to redeemed finners, and from their views of the manifold wisdom and glory of God, in vifiting fuch finners with fuch a falvation, cheerfully take a part in the general chorus.

The redemption fpoken of, is fuited to the various cafes of finners, of every nation, people and language. And many finners of divers defcriptions, and from diftant fituations, fcattered abroad into all lands, through a long fucceffion of ages, will, by the efficacy of this redemption, be gathered together into one *. They will conftitute one family, united in one great Head . When they fhall fully attain the end of their hope, and encircle the throne, day without night, rejoicing, their rememberance of what they

John xi. 52.

+ Eph. iii. 14, 15.

once were, their sense of the happiness they are raised to, and of the great confideration, to which they owe their deliverance, and their exaltation, will excite a perpetual joyful acknowledgment to this purport. They were once loft, but could contribute nothing to their own recovery. Therefore they afcribe all the glory to their Saviour. They ftrike their golden harps and fing, in ftrains, loud as from numbers without number, fweet as from bleft voices, Thou art worthy-for thou waft flain, and haft redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

But though this fong, and this joy, will only be confummated in heaven, the commencement takes place upon earth. Believers, during their present state of warfare, are taught to fing it; in feebler strains indeed, but the fubject of their joy, and the object of their praife, are the fame which infpire the harps and fongs in the world of light. May I not fay, that this life is the time of their rehearsal? They are now learning their fong, and advancing in meetness to join in the chorus on high, which, as death fucceffively removes them, is continu

ally

ally increasing by the acceffion of fresh voices. All that they knew, or defire to know, all that they poffefs or hope for, is included in this afcription.

I take the laft clause of the verse into the fubject. The words fuggeft three principal points, to our confideration.

I. The benefit, Redemption, to God. II. The redemption price, By thy blood. III. The extent of the benefit-to a people out of every kindred, and tongue, and nation.

I. Thou haft redeemed us to God. Redemption or ransom, is applicable to a state of imprisonment for debt, and to a state of bondage or flavery. From these ideas taken together, we may form fome estimate of the mifery of our fallen ftate; a theme, which, if I cannot infift upon at large in every difcourse, I would never, wholly, omit. For we can neither understand the grace, nor enjoy the comfort of the gospel, but in proportion as we have a heart-felt and abiding conviction of our wretched condition, as finners, without it. They who think themselves whole, know not their need of a phyfician *, but to the fick he is welcome.

* Matt. ix, 12.

If a man, shut up in prifon for a heavy debt, which he is utterly incapable of difcharging, fhould obtain his liberty, in confideration of payment made for him, by another, he might be properly faid, to be redeemed from imprisonment. This fuppofition will apply to our fubject. The law and juftice of God have demands upon us, which we cannot answer. We are therefore fhut up, under the law, in unbelief, helpless and hopeless, till we know and can plead the engagement of a furety for us. For a time, like Peter, we are fleeping in our prison *, regardless of danger. The first sensible effect of the grace of God, is to awaken us from this infenfibility. Then, we begin to feel the horrors of our dungeon, and the ftrength of our chains, and to tremble under the apprehenfion of an impending doom. But grace proceeds to reveal the Saviour and friend of finners, and to encourage our application to him. In a good hour the chains fall off, the bars of iron and brafs are broken afun

der, and the prifon-doors fly open. The prifoner understands that all his great debt is forgiven, bleffes his Deliverer, obtains his liberty, and departs in peace.

*Acts xii. 6-10.

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