+I. The subjects of this redemption.+--Redemption, though offered
without distinction to all who hear the Gospel, is actually bestowed
only on those who repent of their sins and believe on the Saviour.
+II. The nature of this redemption.+--There is a twofold
redemption--the redemption of the soul from the guilt of sin by
pardon, and the redemption of the body from the power of the grave by
the resurrection. The former of these is intended. But these two
privileges are connected. The remission of sin, which is a release
from our obligation to punishment, is accompanied with a title to
eternal life.
+III. The way and manner in which believers become partakers of this
privilege.+--Through the blood of Christ. The death of Christ is the
ground of our hope. Jesus Christ, through whose blood we obtain
forgiveness, is the Beloved. This character of Christ shows the
excellence of His sacrifice and displays the grace of God in giving
Him for us.
+IV. Observe the foundation from which our redemption flows.+--"The
riches of His grace." Every blessing bestowed on sinners is by grace;
but the blessing of forgiveness is according to the riches, the
exceeding, the unsearchable riches of grace.
+V. In this dispensation of mercy God has abounded to us in all
wisdom and prudence.+--The most glorious display of God's wisdom is
in the work of our redemption. Here the perfections of God appear in
the brightest lustre and most beautiful harmony. In this dispensation
there is a door of hope opened to the most unworthy, believers have
the greatest possible security, and it holds forth the most awful
terrors against sin and the most powerful motives to
obedience.--_Lathrop._
Ver. 7. _Pardon an Act of Sovereign Grace._--This free and gracious
pleasure of God or purpose of His will to act towards sinners
according to His own abundant goodness is another thing that
influences forgiveness. Pardon flows immediately from a sovereign act
of free grace. This free purpose of God's will and grace for the
pardoning of sinners is that which is principally intended when we
say, "There is forgiveness with Him"; that is, He is pleased to
forgive, and so to do is agreeable to His nature. Now the mystery of
this grace is deep; it is eternal, and therefore incomprehensible.
Few there are whose hearts are raised to a contemplation of it. Men
rest and content themselves in a general notion of mercy which will
not be advantageous to their souls. Freed they would be from
punishment; but what it is to be forgiven they inquire not. So what
they know of it they come easily by, but will find in the issue it
will stand them in little stead. But these fountains of God's actings
are revealed that they may be the fountains of our comforts.--_John
Owen._