The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-11-18
FOR THE CENTRAL PREsBYTERIAN.
The Fallen Angels. Salvation by Grace


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The Fallen Angels. ls.-Salvation by Grace.
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There are but two classes OF sinful
aud depraved beings mentioned in the
Bible, the human family and the angels
which kept not their first estate, but left
their own habitation, and are now re-
served in everlasting chains under dark
ness unto the Judgment of the great
day. They were both created holy and
happy, and might have continued so, if
they had not risen up in rebellion against
their Maker.
For the fallen angels no redemption
was provided; no pardon was ever Of
fered to them. No hope was ever ex-
tended to them of being once more re-
stored to their primeval state of purity
and bliss. God in his holy, wise, and in
scrutable providence passed by the fallen
angels, but determined not to leave the
human race in hopeless and eternal mise
ry. He devised for their benefit plan
of redemption, the beauty and excellence
of which excited the admiration of the
heavenly hosts. He laid help upon one
that was mighty to save. In the fulness
of time he sent his only begotten Son
into the world, that he might bear the
burden of our guilt in his own body upon
the tree,-to make full and ample atone
ment for our sins by his sufferings and
death, so that whosoever believeth in
him might not perish, but have everlast-
ing life In view of the wisdom and
goodness of God, manifested in the plan
of redemption, well might the Christian
poet exclaim,
"Oh for this love let rocks and hills
Their lasting silence break;
And all harmonious human tongues
Their Makers praises speak
Why God, in his infinite wisdom, de-
termined to pass by the fallen angels,
and to extend mercy to the human family,
we cannot tell. We can only say, "Even
so Father, for so it seemed good in thy
sight" But we know this much, that
salvation is all of grace. 1t flows from
the deep springs of the divine benevo-
lence, and brings with it the most inesti-
mable blessings to the guilty and the lost.
We are saved by grace, the free unmer-
tied mercy and grace of God. This is
theme that the saints in glory will not
be able to exhaust through eternal ages.
Let it employ our tongues now, and let
the consideration that God passed by the
fallen angels, and made such ample pro-
vision for our full and complete redemp-
ton from the ruins of the fall, excite in
our hearts the liveliest emotions of graft
tude and love. Let it teach US rightly
to value the privileges that we enjoy,
which are so lightly esteemed by multi
tudes who are not afraid to provoke the
vengeance of Heaven, by refusing to ac-
cept the invitations of the Gospel.
How strange their conduct must ap-
pear in the estimation of fallen angels,
to whom no mercy was extended, and no
offer of pardon ever made-who must
sink down in the blackness of darkness
forever. Surely if men did but know
how conspicuously the grace of GOd,-
his free, unmerited and sovereign grace
is manifested in sending his well beloved
Son into the world to accomplish the
work of mans redemption, they could
not be so careless and unconcerned about
seeking an interest in the Saviour love.
Let this doctrine, that salvation is all
of grace, from the beginning of it to its
final consummation in glory, be held up
before the eyes of all men until they
learn to appreciate its value. The un-
godly imagine that they can do something
to merit the favor of their Maker. and
consequently they slight his wonderful
and adorable grace How solemn the re-
Election that nothing else can save them !!