THE LORD GIVING KNOWLEDGE OF SALVATION UNTO HIS PEOPLE

"Thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways: to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins." —Luke 1:76, 77 [KJV]

The day of gospel-truth, like the light of the morning, breaks forth gradually upon the benighted soul, and it increaseth to midday brightness and glory. "The path of the justified is like the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Thus it is in the experience of enlightened souls. The light of God's word manifests the truth as it is in Jesus, gradually; it discovers condemnation and guilt by the law, and grace and pardon by the gospel. The baptist dispensation prepares the way in the heart before the soul enjoys the sweet sense of pardon of sins through the faith in Jesus. 

The law is a voice only of wrath and terror to the soul; it leaves the poor sinner in the dreadful state it finds him; it pronounces nothing but curses upon him; it can shew him no remedy; it points to no hope; to work wrath in the conscience and to condemn, is all the broken law can do. The voice of the baptist cries to the soul in a wilderness state; but it is rather the hoarse cry of austere severity than the charming, melodious voice of peace and love; it calls to baptism of repentance, a confession of sins, a change of mind concerning former hopes of salvation, and also a change of life and practice. 

The poor sinner is hereby "warned to flee from the wrath to come"—is pointed to "the LAMB OF GOD, Who taketh away the sin of the world." Most souls seem to be brought under this dispensation; some continue for a long season in it; they are in suspense between hope and fear concerning their state. The Spirit of wisdom sees meet it should be so. The name of Jesus is precious to them; His word is their hope; His promises the stay of their souls. The kingdom of Jesus is at hand in knowledge and comfort. Salvation by Christ is made known to them: but as yet they do not enjoy the assurance of their interest in, and the knowledge that their sins are forgiven through the blood of Christ. They are the people of God, though they are not fully assured of it, not having yet received "the baptism of remission of sins" by the Spirit of adoption; but pardon is the certain privilege of believing souls; it is sure, by the promise of a faithful God; it is obtained by the precious blood of Jesus; it assuredly shall be enjoyed as the gift of the comforting Spirit. 

"The vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry. The just shall live by faith."—Habakkuk 2:3, 4. As sure as John the baptist has prepared the way in thy heart, "...and the LORD, Whom thou seekest, shall suddenly come to His temple."—Malachi 3:1.

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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