Salvation is by free grace alone!

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(James Smith, "The Believer's Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842)

"By grace you are saved!" Ephesians 2:8

Salvation is by free grace alone! In eternity past, the Lord fixed upon the objects whom He intended to deliver from sin, Satan, and the curse--and whom He designed to raise to holiness, happiness, and honor. He assigns no reason but His sovereign good pleasure: "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion!"

He chose His people out of the vast mass--and recorded their names in the book of life. He gave them to our dear and adorable Immanuel--to be His care, charge, and bride. He appointed them to life, sonship, and conformity to Jesus--and all of free grace!

Grace scatters blessings upon millions--but never utters a curse against any. She provides salvation for her objects--but is in no sense the cause of the damnation of the rest. Her language is SAVE; but never DESTROY.

Sovereign grace, rightly viewed--embodies everything that is sweet, pleasant, charming, and delightful. It is . . .
as free as the summer breeze,
as pure as the sun's bright ray,
and as pleasant as the morning light!

All who know it--love it,
all who have seen it--admire it,
and all who enjoy it--adore it!

Grace finds . . .
a depth for our sins,
a fountain for our needs,
a covering for our persons, and
a Heaven for our eternal habitation.

Oh that Heaven would coin language sufficiently grand, and furnish ideas sufficiently noble--to speak of the glories of sovereign grace, or to show forth half its praise!

Salvation, then, . . .
originates in the free grace of God,
flows in the channel of the Redeemer's blood, and
aims at the glorification of Jehovah in all His perfections.

Salvation was . . .
planned in eternity,
executed in time, and
shall be realized and enjoyed until eternity can end!

Salvation is . . .
divine in its contrivance, execution, and application;
holy in its character, tendency, and design;
and free in its bestowment and operations.

Salvation is of God, by grace, to holiness--forever!

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