adversity, or whether we die, we are not our own but the LORD'S. The assurance of belonging to CHRIST both in body and soul, whether in life or in death, is the only true comfort of man. This doctrine comprises therefore, the application of the glorious mystery of redemption; for the regenerate believer belongs to CHRIST, not only by purchase, but also by spiritual union. It is not only because we are bought with a price, that we belong to CHRIST, since this is the state of the whole fallen world; but especially, because we have been united to Him as our Head. Yet by thus ceasing to be our own, we are so far from losing our liberty, that we are delivered from bondage into the glorious liberty of the children of Gop. By ceasing to be our own, we cease from being the servants of sin; we are delivered from the power of the devil; we are preserved from the evil of the world. These reflections lead me to consider more particularly, the nature of that

gain, which is attained by the Church of CHRIST, in consequence of their deliverance from sin, the devil, and the world.

By nature, we are children of wrath, under the condemnation and curse of the law, and inheritors of eternal death. But by grace, we become the children of GoD, free from the curse and condemnation of the law, and heirs of everlasting life. By the fall of man, the whole human race became at enmity with God; but CHRIST is become the point of re-union to every believer. This is the end of the work of CHRIST, and is implied by the word religion, which signifies the binding again that which was before separated. It is also the meaning of the word atonement, the being at one, or bringing into a capability of reconciliation.

In the language of our church, JESUS CHRIST, "by His one oblation of Himself once offered, has made a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole

world;" and He is exalted as the Saviour of His elect Church, in giving the HOLY SPIRIT for the application of the finished work of redemption, in delivering penitent believers from the guilt, the punishment, the power and the misery of sin. "We were not redeemed with corruptible things, but with the precious blood of CHRIST, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot."

The GOD-man JESUS CHRIST, having the two distinct natures of GOD and man in one Person, assumed the human soul, in order that He might thereby redeem mankind, and save the souls of His people. He has redeemed mankind, inasmuch as He gave Himself and was accepted for the whole world, whereby a way of reconciliation has been opened for every sinner. The whole world belongs to CHRIST by purchase; yet impenitent unbelievers still continue under the curse and condemnation of the law, for the rights of this law have been transferred from

the FATHER to the SON. JESUS CHRIST, therefore, maintains the authority of the law, which is used by the SPIRIT as an instrument for the conviction of the sinner. By the law is the knowledge and the strength of sin, and thus is it a schoolmaster to bring us unto CHRIST. Redemption therefore differs essentially from salvation, although the former word is used in both senses in the Scriptures. But, it is necessary for the sake of clearness and distinction, to use each word in a fixed and defined sense. Therefore, redemption should be considered general, but salvation as particular. Redemption should be considered objectively, as the work of CHRIST; whereas salvation should be confined to a subjective sense, as the application of redemption, by the SPIRIT, to the soul of every penitent believer. The whole world are redeemed; but salvation is confined to those sinners who were elected in CHRIST JESUs, their Covenant Head, before the foundation of the world.

H

These are the senses in which I would use the words redemption and salvation. But, if any would wish to confine redemption to a deliverance from the guilt and power of sin, that is, to salvation; (in which sense I allow the word to be constantly used in the Scriptures, for each term is indiscriminately put for the other ;) then, I hold the doctrine of limited redemption, that is, of limited salvation. Since, however, the Reformers of our church, and more modern Theologians use the word redemption, to convey the general ̈idea of a purchased people, for whom a way of reconciliation only has been opened, independently of a personal application; I am inclined to confine this word to the latter sense, to prevent confusion of ideas. I see no reason to depart from that established use of the word, to which the soundest of our divines have adhered; and which is so constantly brought before us in the liturgy of our church.

Believing that CHRIST "tasted death