His blood is not laws, nor ordinances, nor commandments, but a
price, a redeeming price. He justifies us by bestowing upon us, not
by expecting from us. He justifies us by his grace, not by our
works.
OPERATION OF GRACE.
The good child is not the first-born, but Abel. God often doth as
Jacob did, even cross hands in bestowing blessings, giving that
which is best to him that is least esteemed; for Cain was "the man"
in Eve's esteem: she thought, when she had him, she had got an
inheritance; but as for Abel (vanity,) he was little worth; by his
name they showed how little they set by him.
It is so with the sincere to this day; they bear not the name of
glory with the world: Cain with them is the profitable son; Abel is
of no credit with them, neither see they form or comeliness in him;
he is the melancholy or lowering child whose countenance spoils the
mirth of the world. "The heart of the wise is in the house of
mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."
Abel, last in appearance, but in truth the first in grace; as it
also is at this day. Who do so flutter it out as our ruffling,
formal worshippers? Alas, the good, the sincere, the humble, they
seem to be least and last; but the conclusion of the tragedy will
make manifest that the first is last and the last first.
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