---

I. SALVATION IS NOT EFFECTED BY HUMAN AGENCY.

1. Where there is no salvation, there are no works of righteousness (Genesis 6:5; Galatians 5:19-21).

2. Works of righteousness, even where they exist, possess no saving effect. They are the evidences, not the causes, of salvation.

3. The Bible disclaims the merit of human agency in salvation (Isaiah 64:6; Daniel 9:7; Romans 3:20-28; Romans 11:5, 6; Galatians 2:21; Ephesians 2:8, 9).

II. SALVATION ORIGINATES IN THE DIVINE COMPASSION. "According to His mercy He saved us," etc.

1. Our salvation accords with the tender sympathies attributed to that mercy (Psalm 25:6; Psalm 51:6; Isaiah 63:15; Luke 1:78; James 5:11).

2. It accords with the readiness ascribed to that mercy (Nehemiah 9:17; Isaiah 30:18; Micah 7:18).

3. It accords with the description given of the greatness, fulness, and extent of that mercy (Numbers 14:19: Psalm 5:7; Nehemiah 9:19; Psalm 119:64; Psalm 145:9).

4. It accords with the perpetuity of that mercy (Psalm 118:1).

III. SALVATION IS ATTENDED BY AN IMPORTANT CHANCE. We are saved "by the washing of regeneration," that is, delivered from sin and all its tremendous consequences in the other world.

1. Delivered from the love of sinful pleasures and carnal delights, by having the "love of God shed abroad in our hearts."

2. From the guilt of sinful practices, by having a knowledge of salvation by the remission of our sins.

3. From the prevalence of sinful habits, by the principles of holiness, and the power of the Divine Spirit.

4. From the commission of sinful acts, by the total regeneration of our natures (1 John 5:18).

IV. SALVATION IS ACCOMPLISHED BY A DIVINE INFLUENCE. "By the renewing of the Holy Ghost," All the influences of God upon the human soul are effected by the agency of the Holy Ghost.

1. The light and information which we receive on Divine subjects are communicated by the Holy Ghost (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:11, 12; 1 John 2:20).

2. The conviction we have of our personal danger is derived from the same source (John 16:8).

3. The change which is produced in the minds of Christian believers is attributed to the Holy Ghost (John 3:5-8; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

4. The assurance of salvation is by the witness of the Holy Ghost — the Comforter (John 14:16; Romans 8:16).Inferences:

1. How awful the delusion of those who depend on themselves or their works for salvation!

2. How deeply we are indebted to the Divine mercy for salvation! Let us sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.

3. How indispensable is regeneration! Salvation without it is impossible.

4. How deeply anxious should we be to secure the influences and agency of the Holy Ghost (Luke 11:13). (Sketches of Sermons.)

---

---

KJV: But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

WEB: But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,