Here the great way of God opens upon us. This promised Seed of the woman, here revealed, is _God’s provision for dead and ruined man_, in the face of all the malice and wrath of the enemy. And He is this _at all personal cost_; for the serpent was to bruise His heel. But though bruised, _He was to achieve a glorious victory_; for He was to bruise the serpent’s head. These are the holy, august characters of this mysterious stranger--this promised Deliverer or Kinsman. Such was the truth revealed on the first moment of our sin, and such has been the truth ever since. This gospel, published in the first promise in the face of the devil himself, is maintained in these last days by the apostle, in the face of men on earth and angels in heaven. Gal. i. 8. Whether it be the earliest or the latest preaching of it, this glorious gospel is still the same. It is "the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son." It is the gospel of the bruised and yet victorious Seed of the woman. In the bright and perfect idea of it man is silent and passive. Abram had only to _believe_, and righteousness was imputed to him. Israel had but to _stand by_ and see God’s salvation. Joshua in Zechariah iii., the prodigal, the convicted adulteress, are all in like case. And here, at the beginning of our sin, and the beginning of God’s gospel, it is just the same. Adam has only to _listen_, and through hearing to believe and live. The word is nigh us, and we have but to receive it without working anything in the heights above, or in the depths beneath. The _activities_ are God’s; the _sacrifices_ are God’s. The profoundness of our silence and passiveness in _becoming_ righteousness is only equalled by the greatness of the divine activity and sacrifice in _acquiring_ righteousness for us. In the sight of such a mystery we may well stand and say, "What hath God wrought!" "Simple indeed it is to us," as one once said, "but it cost _Him_ everything." There is nothing in the heart of man like faith in this gospel. The faith of a poor sinner in the redeeming grace of God is the most beautiful condition the soul can be in. As saints, beloved, we may trust God for our need. We may look to Him for counsel, or for provision. We may trust Him to vindicate our doings, comfort us in sorrow, and strengthen us in difficulties. But the faith of a sinner, in the justifying grace and work of His divine Saviour, transcends them all. Nothing is so precious, for nothing apprehends God in so glorious a character, or gives Him to the soul in so wondrous a relationship. This faith it is which uses the richest resources in God, and acts upon the most blessed discoveries of Him. For while all the ways of His glory shine brightly--His strength, and comfort, and wisdom for His needy saints--yet, that He has grace and salvation for sinners, this excelleth them all.