great a debtor. It was free redemption then, and is so now. Wonderful! It is so wonderful, such a poor sinner saved and loved!” He was one redeemed, delivered, set free, brought out, and for ever accepted through the blood-shedding of the Son of God. And so, brethren, must we be, if we are among the first-fruits unto God. Nothing, nothing, nothing but the atoning blood can ever blot out your guilt. As long as you are a stranger to atonement, so long you are a stranger to God. If any man ever felt this, it was our friend, our father I would rather say. He was a happy man, because he was an accepted man. “Happy, quite happy,” he said, “but only in Christ, not by works of righteousness which I have done, but saved by the mercy of God in Christ. Such a great and blessed salvation—so glorious to the Giver, so gracious to the receiver.” God had made atonement for him through the precious blood of the Son of His love, and called him out to enjoy a fellowship with Himself. So now, if you desire to walk with God during life, and meet Him in peace when He summons you; or to welcome the Lord Jesus with joy, should he come before you die; remember, and let your affectionate recollections of our dear friend stamp it for ever on your memory, that you must first know what it is to be reconciled to God through the blood of atonement before you can live near to Him, or be found among the first-fruits of His kingdom. Our Lord’s own words are decisive on this point, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” IV. But we must hasten to the last clause of the description. “In their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Here are two things mentioned—A guileless corruption before men, and a faultless standing before God.