the
'manner of love that the Father hath bestowed upon us,' stronger than
death and sin, armed with all power, gentler than the fall of the dew,
boundless and endless, in its measure measureless, in its quality
transcendent--the love of God to me in Jesus Christ my Saviour.

In like manner we have to think, if we would estimate the 'manner of
this love,' that through and in the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ
there comes to us the gift of a divine life like His own. Perhaps it may
be too great a refinement of interpretation; but it certainly does seem
to me that that expression 'to bestow His love upon' us, is not
altogether the same as 'to love us,' but that there is a greater depth
in it. There may be some idea of that love itself being as it were
infused into us, and not merely of its consequences or tokens being
given to us; as Paul speaks of 'the love of God shed abroad in our
hearts' by the spirit which is given to us. At all events this
communication of divine life, which is at bottom divine love--for God's
life is God's love--is His great gift to men.

Be that as it may, these two are the great tokens, consequences, and
measures of God's love to us--the gift of Christ, and that which is the
sequel and outcome thereof, the gift of the Spirit which is breathed
into Christian spirits. These two gifts, which are one gift, embrace all
that the world needs. Christ for us and Christ in us must both be taken
into account if you would estimate the manner of the love that God has
bestowed upon us.

We may gain another measure of the greatness of this love if we put an
emphasis--which I dare say the writer did not intend--on one word of
this text, and think of the love given to '_us_,' such creatures as we
are. Out of the depths we cry to Him. Not only by the voice of our
supplications, but even when we raise no call of entreaty, our misery
pleads with His merciful heart, and from the heights there comes upon
our wretchedness and sin the rush of this great love, like a cataract,
which sweeps away all our sins, and floods us with its own blessedness
and joy. The more we know ourselves, the more wonderingly and thankfully
shall we bow down our hearts before Him, as we measure His mercy by our
unworthiness.

From all His works the same summons echoes. They all call us to see
mirrored in them His loving care. But the Cross of Christ and the gift
of a Divine Spirit cry aloud to every ear in tones of more beseeching
entreat