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1. In that the death of Christ serveth for our continual cleansing while we live in this world; we are to take notice and acknowledgment of much filthiness and uncleanness even in the best, it is no slight soil or stain that hath fouled our natures, which will easily be blown or brushed off, for it sticketh nearer us than our skins, that the very power of Christ's death itself doth not wholly destroy it while we live; but we have cause to cry out with the leper in the law, I am unclean, I am unclean: nay, the godly see what blackamoors they are, and how hardly they change their skins and what leopards they are, hardly parting with their spots. And this made the apostle take such pains that he might attain this fruit of Christ's death and resurrection after he had been long able to maintain his justification against all challenges, and say who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect, and what shall separate us from the love of God? Well knew he how fast this uncleanness cleaveth unto our natures (Hebrews 12:1).

2. Hence may be noted that wheresoever sin is pardoned it is also purged (Romans 8:2). That is not only from the curse of the law, but even that law and the power of sin itself which would still hold us in the service of it. He shall die in his sin that dieth not unto his sin, not that sin can be so dead as not remain; but if it lie not bleeding by virtue of that stroke which Christ in His death hath given it if the force of it be not abated, and thou escaped from the rule of it Christ's blood doth thee no good.

3. Let both these considerations move us to be ever washing and cleansing ourselves from our uncleanness, and never to be at rest till we find ourselves, although not free from blackness, yet comely, as the Church confesseth of herself.

(T. Taylor, D. D.)

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KJV: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

WEB: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,