great source and spring of all our spiritual blessings-the love of God"God so loved the world." No wonder that God loved the world before sin came into it, and made it what it now is. No wonder that he could love Adam, while he was holy, and obedient, and upright. But He still loved him, even when he had fallen. When man became a rebel against God, and the seeds of sin sprang up within him, poisoning his heart, and filling it with hatred, instead of affection; even then God's feeling towards him was that of love. Like as a father pitieth his erring child, so God looked with pity on our condition. He felt the tenderest compassion for us. Instead of thrusting us away, and leaving us in our misery, he devised means whereby his banished ones might return. He opened a door of

mercy; and provided for us a way of deliverance.

My brethren, if you know anything of the dark spots in your own heart; if you feel how little, how very little, you have loved God, you will be amazed to think how he loves you. What untiring patience! what great forbearance! what unspeakable tenderness he has shown! Might he not long ago have cut us off in our sins? Yet, He has spared us; and here we are this day the monuments of his grace and love! Here we are met together, to be told once more that God is willing to save us, if only we are willing to be saved. Oh, who can measure his love? It has reached up to heaven, to open a way for us. It has stooped down to hell, to rescue us. It is a love that "passeth knowledge." Our Lord even does not

measure it. All he says is that "God so loved the world"—so exceedingly -so richly-so undeservedly. Instead of hating us as we deserve, he loves us. Instead of holding forth the sword of vengeance, he stretches out the arms of his mercy. Instead of saying to us," Depart from me," his language is," Come unto me;" and "him that cometh I will in no wise cast out."

But our text reminds us of that one special act, by which God displayed his great love towards us. God's love to us has been shown in many ways. But there is one gift which exceeds all the rest. I mean the gift of his own dear Son, as a ransom for our souls. "God so loved the world, that He gave his only-begotten Son."

Man had sinned, and forfeited for

ever God's favour. And how could the debt be paid? The blood of bulls and of goats could never put away sin. Silver and gold could never pay the debt. It cost more to redeem a soul. If the holiest man that ever lived had come forward, and given himself up, he could not have atoned for his own sins, much less for the sins of a whole world. What then must be done? Why "God spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all." Romans 8. 32. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John

4. 10. Had he waited, till we began to move the first step towards Him; had he said, "I will withhold this great gift, till man shows that he is worthy to receive it;" then he would have waited for ever. It was just when we

were in the very depth of misery; when we were utterly unable to help ourselves; that God put forth his hand to save us. "When we were yet without strength (says the apostle) in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Romans 5. 6, 7, 8.

Oh amazing love! There was never anything like it before. We have heard of a son dying for his father. We have heard of a man dying for his country. But we never heard of any one but Jesus dying for his enemies.

And what should we be, my brethren, if God had not given us his Son? What hope could we have of