being put forth to accompany it for that purpose: This efficiency is observable in some of the principal parts of salvation. In the regeneration and sanctification of the elect, for instance, the first external act of this salvation is wrought by the word, 1 Pet. i, 23; we are "born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God." It is true, it doth not this by any power resident in itself, and always necessarily accompanying its administration; for then all would be so regenerated to whom it is preached; and there would be no neglecters of it. But it is the distinguished instrument of God for this end; and in that respect is mighty and powerful.

Again: By the gospel and its promises, as the most exalted instruments or means, are believers actually and really made partakers of the Spirit, as to his gifts and graces, his indwelling presence and abode. Gospel promises are (vehicula Spiritus) the chariots that bring his Holy Spirit to our souls, 2 Pet. i, 4. Besides, the gospel is eminently efficacious in our justification, which hath so great a share in this "salvation," that it is often called salvation itself. They that are justified, are said to be saved, Eph. ii, 8; and this is by the gospel, because therein is constituted the true law of justification for a sinner; because therein is held forth a sinner's righteousness; and hereby does faith come, by which we become actually interested in Christ, and in all the fruits and benefits of his mediation; for it cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Rom. x, 17. Moreover, there is in this salvation a growth in "spiritual wisdom, and an acquaintance with the mystery of God, even the Father and the Son," which is also an effect of the gospel. Finally, it is the "word of promise," or the gospel, whereby God gives "strong consolation," Heb. iv, 17, 18; not only support and

comfort in bearing troubles, but glorious exaltations and ecstacies of joy are oftentimes wrought in the hearts of believers by the gospel. Now they can endure, now they can suffer, now they can die; joy is upon their heads and in their hearts, and sorrow and sighing flee away. Here is rest, here is peace, here are refreshments, here are pleasures, here is "life to be desired." The good Lord sweeten and season all our hearts with all these consolations, these joys of his kingdom, and that by the blessed word of his grace! And in these respects is the gospel a "word of salvation."

§17. But it is said to be "great salvation." Now we have seen that the gospel is called salvation metonymically, the cause being called by the name of the effect. But in this adjunct of great, "so great," the effect itself, salvation itself, preached and tendered by the gospel, is principally intended. It is usual in the scripture, where it would suggest to our thoughts an inconceivable greatness to use some such expressions as plainly intimate somewhat more than can be expressed. "So great;" that is, absolutely so, and comparatively so with respect to the benefits received by the law; and inexpressibly, inconceivably so. There ought then to be no expectation that we should declare the real greatness of this salvation, which the apostle intimates to be inexpressible; we shall only point out some of those considerations wherein the greatness of it doth principally consist and appear.

1. It is "great" in the eternal contrivance of it. When sin had defaced the glory of the first creation, and the honor of God seemed to be at a stand, no way remained to carry it on to that end to which all things at first tended; all creatures were, and for ever would have been, ignorant of a way for recovering

things into the former, or a better order, or bringing forth a salvation for "that which was lost;" for besides that there were such horrible confusions, and such inextricable entanglements, brought upon the creation, and the several parts of it, which none could discern how they could be jointed and set in order again; there appeared a repugnancy in the very properties of the Divine nature to any salvation for sinners. Let sinners be saved, and what shall become of the justice, holiness, and wrath of God, all which are engaged to see a "meet recompense of reward" rendered to every transgression? And this was enough eternally to silence the whole creation, by reason of that indispensable obligation which is on them always, and in all things, to prefer the honor and glory of their Maker, before the being or wellbeing of any creature whatever. Here therefore infinite wisdom, infinite grace, infinite goodness, and infinite holiness, discover themselves in that contrivance of salvation, which fully solves all those difficulties and seeming contradictions; keeps entire the glory of God's attributes, repairs the honor lost by sin, and reduceth the whole creation into a new order and subserviency to the glory of its Maker.

2. The salvation preached in the gospel is "great," on account of the way and means whereby it was accomplished; or the great effect of the infinite wisdom and grace of God in the mediation, incarnation, and sufferings of his Son. It must assuredly be "great" salvation which he came himself to work out. And how doth he do it? Is it by the mighty power of his word, as he made all things of old? No, this work is of another nature, and in another manner must be accomplished. For to this purpose he must be "made flesh," John i, 14; "made of a woman," Gal. iv, 4. Though he was in the form of God, and equal to God

the Father, yet he was to humble and empty himself, to appear in the form of a man, of a servant, Phil. ii, 6,7. This is that great mystery of godliness, "God manifest in the flesh," that angels desire to look into. That the Son of God should take the nature of man into subsistence with himself in the same person, which was necessary for the effecting this salvation, is a thing that the whole intelligent creation must eternally admire. In this nature he must be made under the law, subject to its commands, and bound to the obedience which it required. It became him to fulfil all righteousness, that he might be our complete Savior; for though he was a Son, yet he was to learn and yield obedience, without which our salvation could not be perfected. And as the Son of God must obey, that we may be accepted and crowned; so he must die, shed his blood, and make his soul an offering for sin. If he will be a captain of salvation to bring many sons to glory, he must himself be made perfect by sufferings, Heb. ii, 10. And herein assuredly was the love of God manifest, that "he laid down his life for us," John iii, 16. He rose from the dead, and now lives for ever to make intercession for us, and to "save to the uttermost all them that come to God by him." By these means was the salvation preached in the gospel obtained, which surely manifest it to be a "great salvation." Would God have sent his Son, his only Son, and that in such a manner, were it not for the accomplishment of a work, as well great and glorious in itself as indispensably necessary with referenceto its end? Would the Son himself have so emptied himself of his manifestative glory, condescended to so low a condition, wrestled with such difficulties, and undergone at length such a cursed and shameful death, had not the work been great wherein he was employed? O

the blindness and stupidity of the sons of men! they profess that they believe these things to be true, at least they dare not deny them to be so; but for the effect of them, for the salvation wrought by them, they value it the least of all things! Hear and behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish! Shall the Son of God (for what you care) shed his blood in vain? Shall he obey, and suffer, and bleed, and pray, and die for a thing of nought? Is it nothing unto you that he should undergo all these things? Was there want of wisdom in God, or of love to his Son, so to employ him, so to treat him, in a business which you esteem of so very small concernment, as that you will scarce turn aside to inquire after it? Assure yourselves that these things are of greater moment, lest one day you find it so to your eternal ruin.

3. This salvation will appear to be "great," if we consider what by it we are delivered from.

What are we delivered from by this salvation? In a word, every evil in this world, or that which is to come. And all evil may be referred to two heads: (1.) That which corrupteth and depraveth the principles of our nature in their being and operation. And, (2.) That which is destructive of our nature as to its well-being and happiness. The first of these is sin, the latter is punishment; and both of them take up the whole nature of evil. Now from both these, with all their effects and consequences, are believers delivered by this salvation; namely, from sin and death. The Lord Christ was called "Jesus," because he saves his people from their sins, Matt. i, 22. And he is also the Savior that delivers them from the "wrath to come:" 1 Thess. i, 10. And this is "great salvation." What is the sickness of the body, to the disease, yea, the death of the soul? What is the imprisonment of the