II. An Unchanging,-Eternal Salvation. Oh for a song of praise that there is one thing unchanging, in the midst of things that change; one thing lasting in the midst of things that fleet; one sure anchorage in the midst of quicksands: "My salvation," saith Jehovah, "shall be for ever, and My righteousness shall not be abolished." Wondrous indeed that blessing which has God for its Author, Eternity for its duration, and yet, Sinners for its aim and object!

1. The blessing itself is Salvation. This is the gift held out to us, this the portion presented, including forgiveness, peace, deliverance from the wrath to come, heaven, eternal life. Hast thou ever dwelt on those precious words," THOU SHALT BE SAVED?" Hast thou ever pondered them in thy heart? Hast thou ever cast thy thoughts forward, and asked thyself, what will be their worth as read by the light of "the day of God," when the now future shall be the present, and the now passing things be past? Oh! well may we thank God that all else is hastening to an end, if this be but ours, the salvation that is of God.

2. It has God for its Author. Not only is it Salvation, but a Righteousness, to make the claim. A spotless robe, a garment without

seam, a salvation wherein God is just, and yet the Justifier of the ungodly. "Oh the depth

of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" Well may the Lord say of such a salvation, It is Mine; well may the "MY" be repeated, as it is, six times in the first eight verses of the chapter, warning us thereby that we give the praise to Him to whom it is due. "He that glorieth, let him glory in the LORD."

His it is by purpose and forethought. Never had it entered into the mind of man to conceive such a salvation: it hath the mark, the token of the Mind of God. His it is by travail and work. "And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no Intercessor, therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him, and His righteousness it sustained Him," Isa. lix. 16. His it is, for "He quickeneth whom He will," He giveth life to the dead soul, He "seeks and saves that which was lost." Christ Jesus" of God is made unto us Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Sanctification, and Redemption," 1 Cor. i. 30.

3. Eternity is its duration. "My Salvation shall be for ever, and My Righteousness shall not be abolished." Yes, to that soul who this day lays hold by faith on this righteous

ness, we say in the word of Him "who cannot lie," "You come into possession of an inheritance which is incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." Your hope is built upon a rock which time cannot wear nor enemies destroy, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day and for ever." "The night is far spent the day is at hand." That day when "the sun shall no more go down, neither shall the moon withdraw itself, for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and thy God thy glory." "I am persuaded" (saith the apostle) "that neither death, nor life.... shall separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

4. Sinners are the partakers of this blessing The salvation which God hath provided is a salvation suitable for sinners. The righteousness which He has wrought out is for the unrighteous. They that are whole need not a physician but they that are sick." Oh my fellow sinner, sin need not be thy destruction. "Believe only, and thou shalt be made whole." Trembling soul! to whom "the remembrance of sin is grievous, the burden intolerable," look up and rejoice. In God's salvation is thy refuge, in God's righteousness thy covering. Believest thou the record God hath given of

His Son? Then "the Lord hath put away thy sin, thou shalt not die." God's promises are open to you, His Spirit ready to assist you, His people ready to own you, Heaven itself ready to receive you. Oh let your heart, your lips, your life, show forth His praise; say with the prophet of old, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God, for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels," Isa. Ixi. 10.

Brethren, the contrast between a ChangingPassing World, and an Unchanging-Eternal Salvation has been set before you; which has your heart-your hopes? The love of both cannot dwell in the same breast, "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

Is this world thy portion? then how failing, how passing that portion! each tide of time is washing away a part of your inheritance. It is less to day than it was yesterday, and soon will it be sunk and gone. But "what will ye do in the end thereof?" Is that a wise choice that barters eternity for time? an unchanging salvation for a changing world?

"The wages of sin" which "is death" for that "gift of God" which " is eternal life?" Oh! that I could persuade you to a better choice! Oh! that I could show you your sins, as you will one day see them! Oh! that you would flee to Christ, that an unchanging salvation might be yours. You will not always, "lift up your eyes to the heavens," or "look upon the earth beneath." Those eyes will open on another scene, the throne set for judgment, the world of spirits-eternity. You are now "prisoners of Hope," but you will soon be prisoners in Hell. You will" lift up your eyes," but it will be in torments, to supplicate in vain for relief, to mourn for ever, that you when on earth despised that mercy, so freely offered in Christ Jesus. "Hear ye and give ear, be not proud, for the Lord hath spoken; give glory to the Lord your God before He cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while ye look for light He turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness," Jer. xiii. 15, 16.

And you, whom " God Who is rich in mercy" hath taught, that which you had otherwise never realised, that this world is little worth and Christ the Pearl of great price, with whom an unchanging salvation is your hope,