SERMON XIX.

REDEMPTION.

REV. V. 9.

Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.

Ir is in this the blessedness of true religion consists, that it is the means of bringing us back to God. There is a reason for the word conversion, as applied to the beginning of a religious course; because it is a turning to God. And without this there is no sincerity in the profession of religion; without this the world might justly charge us with all the absurdities of fanaticism, and of statements overstrained. If it is not that we desire by the preaching of Christ to bring you back to God, then we allow that our zeal is too vehement, our invitations too earnest, our instructions too spiritual, our admonitions too faithful. If the character of religion do not depend upon your being brought near to God, then there is no need to lay down so decisive a standard; there is no need to press the matter so close upon your consciences, or to urge you to a serious enquiry as to your real condition. If this nearness to God does not maintain a powerful influence over the affections in keeping the heart right in the sight of God,

then we may lay aside many of the peculiar doctrines of christianity, in order to dwell more exclusively on moral duties in the relation in which you stand towards each other. If true religion be not the life of God in the soul of man, then we are needlessly over-anxious about your spiritual condition, and a fair outward character may be all that is necessary. But alas, we know too well, that when all is fair to common observation, the heart may be far from God, and you yourselves not aware of it. The signs are, in general, but too evident, by which a minister is enabled to trace the tendency of an alienated mind, in those of his flock, who have either never been brought near to God; or being prone to depart from him after they have once known the truth and have tasted that the Lord is gracious, frequently turn aside out of the way. It is not my object at this time to pursue the enumeration of the marks which bespeak a heart thus estranged, but endeavouring to lift up a crucified Redeemer to your view, I shall attempt to unfold this great truth to your attention, that TO GOD he hath redeemed us by his blood. If redemption be of God as the author, it is to God as the end. May he who died the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, so apply the subject to our consciences, that it may speak peace to them that are afar off, and to them that are nigh, and that through him both may have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

In the second part of the book of Revelations, beginning with chap. iv. the prophetic history of

the church is represented by a sealed book, a volume which contains the detail of the purposes of God in the salvation of mankind. This book is found in the hands of God the Father, with whom all the efficacy of saving grace originates. In this book his counsel is fully developed. A plan has been contrived, all the parts of it arranged, and his purpose ready to be put in execution. An angel now makes the proclamation, to ascertain who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof; who shall declare this purpose to man, who shall unfold its object, for his benefit and direction. This, however, no created being is able to undertake: either to open the book, or even to look upon it. The glory of God is so connected with the plan, that the very contem- . plation of it overwhelms an inferior being. Oh, that any should intrude into the mysteries of our holy faith with unhallowed curiosity, or hope to investigate the divine will, without the qualifications of humility, and childlike teachableness and simplicity. Finding that no one was worthy to open the book, or look upon it, John wept much. The divine counsels were dear to him, the church was dear to him, for whose sake they were to be revealed; and he wept that they should be withheld. Do we know the value of the word of God, the importance of it to ourselves and to others? Do we long earnestly that God's way may be known upon earth, his saving health among all nations?

There is but one who can open this book, and

enable us to look upon it. The Apostle beheld a Lamb, as it had been slain, who came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne, ready to open it; and immediately all the heavenly host broke forth into loud celebrations of his praise: a new song was sung in heaven: "Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation and hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth."

The general lesson taught by this account, seems to be of this nature, that all things relating to our salvation originate with God; love and mercy, and the plan of mercy originate with him: but we are interested in these, as we are made acquainted with them; only through the redemption of Christ. He was slain that he might redeem us to God, that he might bring us to God, and make us partakers of his love. How ought we to value the mercy of our Redeemer, and how careful should we be to attain the benefit he has provided for us by redemption, even access to the Father. It will direct us in the consideration of this subject to enquire,

I. From what did Christ redeem us or deliver us. -Redemption is a transferring of property or possession from one to another; the change of right or claim from one master to another. The word to "redeem" in this passage, and generally

in the New Testament, means to "purchase," as men buy merchandize; the Greek word ȧyopáserv, may be rendered literally, to frequent a place of public sale, as a market-place, where men purchase what they want. Thus in former times slaves were purchased for money in the market, by masters of families, and men of wealth. If the service into which they passed was that of a kind master, it was comparatively a state of freedom; and those who were too poor and destitute to have gained a subsistence in any other way, might find in this change a comfort, which would call forth the most grateful affections of the heart. If we suppose some opulent individual devoting his wealth to the purchase of miserable slaves from cruel and oppressive owners, to make them more than servants in his own house, we have no unsuitable representation of the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man. The world is a sort of market-place, in which appears a large concourse of individuals, subject not only to one, but to many masters. Among them the Saviour goes forth to redeem a portion, ayogásew, to make a purchase: the price he pays is his own blood: this answers all demands, meets all charges: it dissolves every fetter, and loosens every tie of bondage. The captive and oppressed slave with this plea claims his freedom; this cancels all former obligation: sin, death, and hell, yield up their prey when this is urged. There is also a healing, cleansing, restoring power, by which it is accompanied, that fits the sinner for the enlargement which is granted

U