The apostles then began to publish the glad tidings of salvation to the chief of sinners. The subject of their preaching was, "_Jesus and the resurrection_." And all who believed on him as risen and glorified were immediately and eternally saved. "And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son: he that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (1 John v. 11, 12.) There is no blessing outside of, or apart from, the PERSON OF CHRIST--THE HEAVENLY MAN; "for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." Ever since that time, God has been placing before the sinner, in connection with _his_ gospel, a risen living Christ, as the ALONE object of faith, and "the end of the law for righteousness to EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH." (Rom. X.) When the eye is kept on this heavenly Christ, all is light, joy, and peace; but if it be turned in on self, and occupied with what it _finds_ there, and what it _feels_, or with any thing whatever that may come between the heart and Christ, all will be darkness, uncertainty, and unhappiness in the soul. Oh, how blessedly simple is the gospel of the grace of God! The burden of its message to the _lost sinner_ is, "Come, for all things are now ready;" the question of sin is not raised,--"_Grace reigns_ through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." Christ, having perfectly satisfied God about sin, the only question now between God and your heart is this: _Are you perfectly satisfied with his Christ as the alone portion of your soul?_ This is the one grand question of the gospel. Christ has settled every other to the glory of God; and now the Father is going to "make a marriage for his Son,"--to honor, exalt, and glorify him. Is your heart in full harmony with God's on this point? Work is not required at your hands; strength is not needed; fruit is not demanded. God has provided every thing, and prepared every thing. It is all grace,--the pure grace of God. "Only believe;" "Come, for all things are now ready." The marriage-supper; the wedding-garment, royal honors, the Father's presence, fulness of joy, and pleasures for evermore--all are ready,--ready now--"ready to be revealed." Dear reader, are you ready? Oh, solemn question! Are you ready? Have you believed the message? Have you embraced the Son? Are you ready to "Crown him Lord of all?" The table is spread, the house is filling fast: "yet there is room." Already you have heard the midnight cry, "Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him," "and they that were READY went in _with him_ to the marriage, AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT." "Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." (Matt. xxii., xxv.; Luke xii., xiv.) * * * * *