bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we

like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Chap. 1. 6—" He gave his back to the smiters, and his cheeks to them that plucked off the hair;" and, finally, his own spotless body to be crucified; then, proclaiming with his dying breath, "IT IS FINISHED," made atonement for the sins of his people, a sacrifice well pleasing unto God. He was buried, but the grave could not detain him; on the third day he rose triumphantly, as the scripture foretold.—

Rom. i. 4 "Declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." He ascended into heaven, where he sits crowned with glory and honour at his Father's right hand. There he ever lives interceding for all that come unto God by him; and as the Father heareth him always, none coming in his name need fear rejection. Heb. ix. 24-" Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true ; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every

year with blood of others; for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now, once in the end of the world, hath he арpeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment, so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

Then

shall all his dead saints be raised incorruptible, and, "with those who are alive and remain, be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall they ever be with the Lord." (See 1 Thes. iv. 17; and Rev. iv. 10; and

xx. 4-6) "AND THEY SHALL REIGN WITH HIM UPON THE EARTH!"

Herein, therefore, the work of redemption is perfected: that work is finished which can alone justify the ungodly. Acts iv. 12-"Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ. Gal. iii. 12"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." And in him were these words notably verified (Rom.

vi. 23)

"The wages of sin is death." But oh! how bright the contrast:

"THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL

LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD." Rom. v. 18-"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation ; even so by the righteousness of one this FREE GIFT came upon all men unto justification of life." Chap. iii. 27

"Where is boasting then? It is excluded." Here is equal encouragement for the vilest criminal, as for those persons held in the greatest repute among men; for both characters stand on the same level before God. Rom. iii. 23

"ALL have sinned, and come short