Improvement

In surveying the history of redemption, from the fall of man to the end of the world, we have now shown how this work was carried on through the two former of the three main periods into which this whole space of time was divided, namely from the fall to the incarnation of Christ, and from thence to the end of the time of Christ's humiliation; and have particularly explained how in the first of these periods God prepared the way for Christ's appearing and purchasing redemption; and how, in the second period, that purchase was made and finished. I would now make some improvement of what has been said on both these subjects considered conjunctly. This I would do, 1. In a use of reproof. 2. In a use of encouragement.

In surveying the history of redemption from the fall of man to the end of the world, we have now traced how this work unfolded across the first two of the three main periods into which this entire span of time is divided — from the fall to the incarnation of Christ, and from there to the end of His humiliation. We have examined in particular how God prepared the way for Christ's appearing and purchasing redemption during the first period, and how that purchase was made and completed during the second. I now want to draw some practical applications from what has been said about both of these subjects taken together. I will do this in two ways: first, as a word of reproof; and second, as a word of encouragement.