DISCOURSE L 521 'know the Fatherwith such an exquisite knowledge, as far trans- cends the reachof all our ideas. Let it be noted also that the blessed Jesus came down from heaven not only to skew God all-glorious tomen, but to make him appear all-lovely and desirable iu the eyes of sinners, by repre- senting him in all the wonders of his compassion, and forgiving mercy. Even a great, a just, and a holyGod, is lovely andamia- ble in the sight ofguilty creatures, when he is willing to reconcile the world to himself ; in and by his Son Jesus Christ, not imputing to them their iniquities ; 2 Cor. v. 10. Such a sight of God, is the first attractiveofour love. 2. It is the Son of God who came to inform us what God has donefor us, and thereby to engage our love. The reason of man and our daily experience, teach us that he is the author of our being and our blessings : " He causes the sun to shine, and his rain to descend on the earth ;" Mat. v. 45. " he gives us fruitful reasons, and fills our hearts with food and gladness ;" Acts xiv. 17. But it is Jesus, who has told us the eternal coun- sels of his Father's love, and what kind designs he formed for our recovery from sin and hell, when, in his own fore-knowledge he beheld us fallen and miserable : He has told us, what eternal and unfailing provision God has made for us, bygiving us into the hands of his Son, even into those hands, where he has entrusted the infinite concerns of his own honour ; and that he appointed his Son to redeem our lives, by his own bloody death. This is love glorious indeed, and fit to allure and kindle our warmest affections to-God. It is the blessed Sen of God him- self, who, by his Father's appointment, has suffered agonies and sorrows -of unknown kinds, unknown degrees, for us. He poured out his own soulto death to secure us from the deserved wrath and vengeance ofGod ; he sustained many a painful stroke, to make a way for us to partake of his Father's mercy, and to render the offended Majesty of heaven a proper and more engaging object of our love. 3. Again, it is this same glorious person, the Son of God, who has informed us at large, not only what God has already done, but what he will do for us ; and has given us the hope Of everlasting blessings. He has confirmed all the words of grace that God spake to men by angels and prophets in former ages ; and he has added many a rich and most express pfomise ofa glorious resurrection, and a future state, and set them before us in a divine light, beyond what the prophets or the angels ever knew in ancient times : He has assured returningsinners of the pardon of highest Crimes, and the most aggravated iniquities ; and he hath secured the everlasting favour and presenceof God to all his followers ; for by the Father'sappointment he isgone to pre- pare mansions of glory for them ; that where he is they may be also ; that they may dwell with him and withhis Father for ever.
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