EPC Australia

We have always been accustomed to think of Christ when these words are pronounced, and we are not disposed to give up this application without necessity. And we see no such necessity if we appeal to authority; for, not to mention many of the ancients, this application is supported by many of the moderns also — by a Henry, a Scott, a Doddridge. And we see no such necessity if we refer to the writer of the words. Paul's mind was full of Christ; the love of Christ constrained him and nothing is more common in his Epistles than sudden and unlooked-for allusions to him. To which we may add, the nature of the case itself; for if the words would apply to the charity of the Corinthians, how much stronger will they apply to the Saviour of sinners! And though we would do justice to every part of the Scripture, we would yet rather be followers of Cocceius than Crellius, of whom, as expositors of the Bible, it was said, the one found Christ every where, the other nowhere.

God then — this is the meaning — so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Yea, he is not only a gift, but an UNSPEAKABLE gift. Much has indeed been said of this gift in Christian conversation, in the sermons of ministers, in the preaching of Prophets and Apostles, in the Scriptures of truth, of which it is the principal, and, in a sense, the only subject. But it is not in the power of words to do it justice. And we see how even inspired men labour for terms and images, when they would hold forth a little of the Saviour's glory.

He is a gift unspeakable, if we consider the greatness of his person. We consider him a man of sorrows; but he was not always so. He was born in the fulness of time, but his goings forth were from of old from everlasting. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Unspeakable, if we consider the immensity of the plenitude which he possesses, as Mediator, for our use. Some things include many more. What an unspeakable blessing is a fountain, being the source of all the refreshing streams that flow from it, and fertilize and beautify the ground! What an unspeakable blessing is the sun, that makes our day, our spring, our summer! What would the earth be without the sun! What an unspeakable blessing is life, with all its intelligence, pursuits, productions, and enjoyments! He is the fountain of living waters. He is the Sun of righteousness. He is the life of the soul and eternity. He not only insures every thing else, but contains it. In him it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell. In him we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.

And can we think of this, and not exclaim, thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift? Nothing is so detestable as ingratitude. The very heathens condemned it. One of their philosophers said, Call a man ungrateful and you call him every thing that is vile. The Lacedemonians made it punishable. South compares such a wretch to the sea, that turns the sweet influences of the clouds into brine, and to the grave, which is always receiving and never restoring. How soon we complain of a want of thankfulness in our fellow-creatures towards ourselves! How soon do we abandon them, when our favours seem lost upon them!

And yet what are these favours, when, too, from a community of nature, and the command of God, we are under an obligation to show them! How few, how small! How far from being entirely pure in their motive! With how little self-denial and sacrifice attended! Herein is love I not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

And can this love deserve only a careless reflection of the mind, or a cold acknowledgment of the lip? Ought it not to claim and consecrate the heart? Ought we not to ask, every moment, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me?" Ought we not, by the mercies of God, to present our bodies a living sacrifice?

"Were the whole realm of Nature mine,
That were a present far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all."

Morning Exercises For Everyday In The Year
By Rev. William Jay