might make atonement for our sins, and procure an honourable and happy
reconciliation, between a righteous God, and offending
sinners [2 Cor. v. 18-20]. I beseech you, therefore, to prize and to study
this gospel, that you may obtain a growing experience of its benefits.
Praise God for such a Saviour, and such a salvation as he has provided.
Adore him, for that infinite wisdom, and boundless mercy which he has
displayed in the redemption of fallen man and never rest, nor be
satisfied, till you have good and scriptural reason to hope, that this
Saviour is yours, with all the blessings he is exalted to bestow
without money and without price.

Our food, my brethren, then only can nourish us, when it is
eaten and digested. Medicines can only profit us, by being applied and
taken. It is exactly thus with the gospel. We may hear, and talk of
these things, but so long as they remain matters of speculation, and do
not enter into our hearts, into the very vitals of our souls, (if I may
so speak) we cannot be the better for them. Christ is the bread of
life. His flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed! But
unless we ourselves do SPIRITUALLY eat the flesh and drink the blood of
the Son of man (for our Lord speaks of food for the soul, not for the
body) we have no life in us [John vi. 52-58.].

Moses, by the express command of God, erected a brazen serpent upon a
pole, in the view of the camp of Israel [Numb. xxi. 9.]. Such of the
people as were stung by the fiery serpents, were directed and commanded to
look up to the brazen serpent. They who did so were healed. But if any
resisted, they were sure to die. For no other means or physicians could
relieve them. In like manner Christ Jesus our Saviour, once lifted up on
the cross, is exhibited in the preaching of the gospel. Sinners, who are
wounded and diseased by sin, are directed, exhorted, encouraged, and