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Sermon 8.

THE COMING OF JESUS AS THE SAVIOUR OF HIS PEOPLE.

Phillippians, 3rd Chap. 20th Verse

From whence we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,

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HERE is an infinite degree of sweetness, in those words of the Apostle, as they con-, cern, the true believer in Jesus. From whence we look for the Saviour. That is, not in his general character, as Judge, of the world; but in his peculiar relation, as the Saviour of his people. Not coming to judge them, as if the event of that.

that great day of God, became a matter of doubt, and uncertainty, to the faithful; and they knew not, whether it would terminate, to their everlasting happiness, or misery: but looking for him, as their Saviour carries with it the conviction, that having known, and experienced, the certainty of his salvation, in this life; they are perfectly secured, in all the blessings connected with it, in another. JESUS having already saved them, and called them with an holy calling, they are now waiting, in full assurance of faith; that when he shall come to judge the world in righteousness, and minister true judgment to the people, they shall have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. They have acknowledged him for their Saviour, before men upon earth. And he will acknowledge them, for his redeemed ones, before his Father, and the holy angels in heaven.

Fancy but for a moment, that either one of you, were so much under the sweet influence of the blessed Spirit, as to have this conscious assurance of a saving interest, in the merits of the Lord Jesus; and that in the expectation of his return to Judgment, you could fully assume the language of the Apostle; what a resource of the most permanent happiness, would always be opening therefrom, to the soul? What an accession of joy, would it give to all your com

forts?

forts? What an alleviation to all your sorrows? What indeed, but one continued unvarying state of peace and tranquillity of mind, must that man enjoy, amidst the mutability of all things around him, who in expectation of the great day of God could hail the Judge, returning as his Saviour.

Our text, is but short, yet in its bosom, it contains a volume, of the most precious subject, for discourse.

When the Apostle thus expressed himself, as looking for the Saviour, it is as if he had said; In our expectation of Christ's return, to judgment, we that are the truly regenerated followers of the Lamb, look for him, under this peculiar character, as the Saviour of his people. For by the blessed Spirit's work on our heart, having been awakened from our mortal slumbers, and convinced of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; we have learnt with full conviction, under his divine teaching, that in all the Lord Jesus did, and suffered, upon earth, when he came to redeem our nature, he acted, as the representative, and sponsor of his people. And from the same heavenly Teacher, we are perfectly assured, that the righteousness he then wrought out, and

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brought in, was an everlasting righteousness, which is unto all and upon all them that believe. And by that precious oblation, of his body upon the cross, when he offered himself without spot to God, he hath fully put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. For by that one offering he hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified. So that, we have redemption in his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

Hence therefore, there is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. And, if there be no possibility of condemnation, there can be no possibility of trial. For what leaves nothing doubtful, as to the issue of event, can never subject the event, to uncertainty. Both the condemnation for sin, and the punishment_due to the breach of it, in our nature, the Lord Jesus himself sustained, in his own sacred person, when as the representative of his people, he witnessed before Pontius Pilate a good confession. And when in consequence thereof, he died, the just for the unjust to bring us unto God. Hence therefore as both law, and justice have exacted, and obtained, all their demands, which they had upon his people, from Him, their Almighty surety when he bore their guilt, and sustained their punishment; most evident it is, that the bondsman having paid the debt, the principal

debtor

debtor must be free. And therefore, there is now, there can be, no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.

So that, when the Lord Jesus shall come, in the clouds to Judgment, his people, shall not be arraigned for sins, both the guilt, and punishment of which, he himself hath borne; but the process of that solemn day as far as it concerns them will be to hear him proclaim, before a congregated world, that they are the gift of the Father's love, and the purchase of his own most precious merits and blood. And having, by the blessed Spirit's work upon their hearts, formed them anew, for himself, and his glory, in his own lovely image; united them to himself by an everlasting union; clothed them in his own spotless righteousness; made them altogether comely, in his own graces; and in every way, made them to be meet partakers of the inheritance with the Saints in light: he is now come, according to his own assured promise, to take them to himself, that where he is, there they may be also.

Under the impression of these things we may reasonably suppose, the mind of the Apostle was filled, when he expressed himself in the words of the text. In the expectation of the great day of God, we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,

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