SEAM. XXXVI.] OF CHRIST'S ATONEMENT. 103 V. The atonement of Christ is an argument of pre- vailing force to be used in prayer, when we plead for the aids of the blessedSpirit; when we ask for his sacred in- fluences to enlighten, to sanctify, or to comfort our souls. The Spirit flows down to us in the blood of Christ. Reflection, " Holy Father, thou hast not with-held thy Son Jesus, but hast given him to die for me; and wilt thou not give me thy Spirit to live in me, and to raise me to a divine life? Even when I was dead in trespasses and sins, my blessed Saviour poured out his own soul to . death, that I might be recovered to thy favour ; and shall I not have thy image impressed upon me by the Spirit, that I may appear before thee in the beauty of holiness ? Shall I be sprinkled with the blood of Christ, and have my errors forgiven, and shall I not have divine light bestowed upon me, that I may not wander afresh in the ways of error and darkness? Is myguilt cancelled, and are my iniquities removed by the great atonement of the Son of God, and wilt thou not bestow thy sanctifying Spirit upon me, to guard me from renewed guilt and fresh iniquities? Lord, have I not fled to lay hold on the hope set beforeme ? Hast thou not forgiven all my sins ? And shall not the Spirit, the Comforter, speak peace to my soul, and fill me with hope and joy in believing ? Wilt thou deny thy Spirit to any creature, for whom thy Son has poured out his invaluable life and blood ?" [If this sermon be too long, bere is a proper pause.] Hew great and desirable are the advantages that we have found already to be derived from this gospel of atonement? May our souls possess and improve them all ! But there are still more treasures of divine grace to be dug out of this golden mine : It is an inexhausted fountain of duties and blessings. I proceed therefore to point out more of them to the eye of faith. VI. We should use this doctrine of propitiation for sin by the death ofChrist, as an everlasting spring of holy love to God the Father, and to his Son Jesus Christ. Great and unspeakable was the love of God the Father I .John 4, 10. " Herein is love ; not that we lovedhim, but he hath lOved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." Great and unspeakable is the love of Jesus the Saviour ; it has heights, and depths, and lengths, and breadths in it which pass our knowledge," 1-1 4
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