and many Protestants have fallen into cold, lifeless forms, having lost that spirit of religion by which the first Reformers were actuated. They are ashamed of religion, with all its beauteous charms; but all should be ashamed of their sins, and humble themselves in the dust.

To conclude: Every man should carefully study his own state and character. What others may think of him, is one thing; but what he is in the sight of God, is another. He should be willing to know the worst of himself, that he may see the absolute need of a saving change, both of heart and of life. He may flatter himself, and vile men may flatter him; but this will not render him any service, either in the hour of death, or in the day of judgment. When man knows himself, as a lost and ruined sinner, he is prepared to seek salvation on evangelical principles. That important subject, or as it is generally termed, the plan of salvation, we shall now examine; following, as our infallible guide, the sacred records of divine truth. In the mean time, let every one inquire, Am I a sinner saved by grace? or am I still a fallen child of man?

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CHAPTER VIII.

THE PLAN OF SALVATION.

The plan of salvation was formed by God himself—It has been gradually revealed to man, by promises and prophecies, types and emblematical figures-At length Jesus was manifested in the flesh, by an extraordinary birth—He kept the law perfectly-He made atonement for sin, by his death on the cross-He rose from the dead—He appointed a ministry -He ascended to heaven, and intercedes for man-He sent down his Holy Spirit, to qualify his Ministers for their work -They announced the terms of salvation-Those terms briefly stated-The Holy Spirit carries the plan of salvation into effect when men cooperate with him in the discharge of those duties which are enjoined.

THE plan of salvation is a subject of vital importance to man. It discovers to us, how the kingdom of heaven is open to all believers; and how unbelievers are left to perish in their sins. Let us examine it with prayerful attention.

I. This plan, which far exceeds all human wisdom, was formed by God himself.

That the plan of salvation by Jesus Christ has God for its author, cannot be doubted by any one who believes the inspiration of the holy Scriptures. It was not, nor could it be, formed by man. All the sages of antiquity were totally unacquainted with it. They saw the depravity of human nature, and the wretchedness and misery of man; but knew not how he

could be delivered from guilt, and the punishment of his crimes. Their views of religion were not only erroneous, but extremely wild and visionary; and their boasted system of morality was built on a sandy foundation. There is not a hint, in all their voluminous writings, of salvation by a Redeemer. On that subject they were enveloped in darkness that might be felt so true are the observations of the Apostle Paul, that "the world by wisdom knew not God;" and that "professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." 1 Cor. i. 21; Rom. i. 22.

The plan of salvation formed in the divine mind is the only one, as far as we know, that could have been adopted. God knew that his government would be honoured, and that his glorious attributes would be harmonized, in the salvation of a rebellious world by his beloved Son. Hence infinite wisdom formed the plan; divine love adopted it; and sufficient power is afforded to carry it into effect. This plan is the wonder of angels, and the song of the redeemed, who are now in the realms of bliss. It has been said, that God might have formed some other plan, to rescue and deliver apostate man. To those who hold this opinion, we propose the following query: Can God adopt any plan, but that which is best calculated to promote his own glory, and the happiness of his creatures? If there had been a better, it would have been

adopted; but the adoption of this is a direct proof, that it is the best that could be devised; and, for any thing that we know to the contrary, it is the only plan that could accomplish all the gracious purposes of our heavenly Father.

II. This plan of mercy has been gradually unfolded to the children of men, by promises and prophecies, and by significant types and symbolical figures.

Immediately after the fall of man, a gracious promise was made, that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head. Gen. iii. 15. That promise, though expressed with some obscurity, conveyed the idea, that a descendant of the woman would avenge the wrongs of man; and the subsequent promises of God clearly prove that, by the seed of the woman, we are to understand the Lord Jesus Christ. The next great promise was made to Abraham, the father of the faithful, which is expressed in the following words: "In thee and in thy seed shall

all the families of the earth be blessed." Gen. xxviii. 14. And this is applied by the Apostle Paul to our Saviour. Gal. iii. 16. Good old Jacob predicted the coming of the Messiah: "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." Gen. xlix. 10. Moses foretold a Prophet who should be raised up like unto himself; and that Prophet was our blessed Saviour. Deut.

xviii. 15; Acts iii. 22, 23. The time when the great Deliverer should come is clearly pointed out. Dan. ix. 24-27. The place where he should be born is named. Micah v. 2. His

miracles are foretold. Isai. xxxv. 5, 6. It was announced that, though a King, he should be meek and lowly. Zech. ix. 9. It was clearly foretold that he should suffer and die for the sins of men. Isai. liii. That he should rise from the dead without seeing corruption. Ps. xvi. 10. And that he should ascend into heaven with great glory. Ps. lxviii. 18. Thus the coming of the Saviour, and the plan of salvation, were laid open, in some degree, by promises and prophecies.

Significant types, and symbolical figures, gradually opened the plan of salvation to the Patriarchal and Jewish churches. Many eminent persons, who wrought great deliverances for the people of God, were types of the great Deliverer who was to come: such were Moses, Joshua, and David: and many typical things, of God's appointment, pointed out that salvation which the Gospel has revealed in its fulness. We may name the paschal lamb, which pointed out Christ our Passover, who was sacrificed for us. 1 Cor. v. 7. The brazen serpent, which, placed upon a pole, was an instrument of healing to the wounded Israelites in the wilderness; and which Christ applies to himself, as lifted up, that men might be saved when they look to him