October 3

The Testator.—Hebrews 9:16.

THE gospel contains the will and testament of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the publication of what Jesus hath obtained and bequeathed to a poor perishing world. That he might have a legacy to bestow, he assumed our nature, and thus became our kinsman and brother. In that nature he procured for us the blessings of eternal salvation. His testament he caused to be written, and he hath signed and ratified it; and its invaluable blessings may now be freely received by all the legatees. The legacy which Jesus hath bequeathed includes a great variety of blessings both for time and eternity. One of these is pardon for sin, another is peace of conscience, a third is a new nature — a renewed heart. And he hath also given to us great and precious promises, wherein is contained all that is needful for our happiness, prosperity, and safety. Then there are the promises of eternal glory. Glory like his own; for he giveth of his own glory to all them that believe in his name, yea, he giveth himself. Jesus in all his fulness and glory belongeth to his people. They are his, and he is theirs, and he is the true God and eternal life. so that they who possess him enjoy all things. The legatees are all true believers. By faith we obtain the transfer of Christ's legacy to our souls — he who believeth hath the Son, and he who hath the Son hath also eternal life. By faith, we become the children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. Unbelief rejects both the testator and the testament, and excludes the soul from all the benefits of redeeming love and grace.