the walls of Jerusalem.”  The bond was prepared, and signed and sealed in the presence of attendant angels.  Justice was satisfied, the gate was opened, and Mercy entered, preaching salvation in the name of Jesus.  The bond was committed to patriarchs and prophets.  A long series of rites and ceremonies, sacrifices and obligations, was instituted to perpetuate the memory of that solemn deed.  At the close of the four thousandth year, when Daniel’s “seventy weeks” were accomplished, Justice and Mercy appeared on the hill of Calvary.  “Where,” and Justice, “is the Son of God?” “Behold him,” answered Mercy, “at the foot of the hill!” And there He came, bearing His own cross, and followed by His weeping church.  Mercy retired, and stood aloof from the scene.  Jesus ascended the hill like a lamb for the sacrifice.  Justice presented the dreadful bond, saying, “This is the day on which this article must be canceled.”  The Redeemer took it.  What did He do with it?  Tear it to pieces, and scatter it to the winds?  No!  He nailed it to His cross, crying, “It is finished!” The victim ascended the altar.  Justice called on Holy Fire to come down and consume the sacrifice.  Holy Fire replied:  “I come!  I will consume the sacrifice, and then I will burn up the world!” It fell upon the Son of God, and rapidly consumed His humanity; but when it touched His deity, it expired.  Then was there darkness over the whole land, and an earthquake shook the mountain; but the heavenly host broke forth in rapturous song—­“Glory to God in the highest! on earth peace! good will to man!”

Thus grace has abounded, and the free gift has come upon all, and the gospel has gone forth proclaiming redemption to every creature.  “By grace ye are saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.”  By grace ye are loved, redeemed, and justified.  By grace ye are called, converted, reconciled and sanctified.  Salvation is wholly of grace.  The plan, the process, the consummation are all of grace.

“Where sin abounded, grace hath much more abounded.”  “Through the offense of one, many were dead.”  And as men multiplied, the offense abounded.  The waters deluged the world, but could not wash away the dreadful stain.  The fire fell from heaven, but could not burn out the accurst plague.  The earth opened her mouth, but could not swallow up the monster sin.  The law thundered forth its threat from the thick darkness on Sinai, but could not restrain, by all its, terrors, the children of disobedience.  Still the offense abounded, and multiplied as the sands on the seashore.  It waxed bold, and pitched its tents on Calvary, and nailed the Lawgiver to a tree.  But in that conflict sin received its mortal wound.  The victim was the victor.  He fell, but in His fall He crusht the foe.  He died unto sin, but sin and death were crucified upon His cross.  Where sin abounded to condemn, grace hath much more abounded to justify.  Where sin abounded to corrupt,