Things That Accompany Salvation

In this allegorical sermon, Charles Spurgeon pictures salvation as a precious treasure being carried through the world by a great procession of spiritual forces and graces that guard it at every stage. He describes how salvation is preceded by God's eternal election and predestination (the distant advance guard), followed by the Holy Spirit's convicting work that brings terrible awareness of sin and a broken heart (the "Thundering Legion"), then the healing comfort of Christ's blood and forgiveness (the "Silken Legion"), then the development of Christian virtues like humility, repentance, prayer, and faith. Finally, for those who truly possess salvation, there follow gratitude, obedience, joy, sanctification, and ultimately death (portrayed not as a skeleton with a dart but as a beautiful angel with a key to Paradise), resurrection, and eternal glory with God in heaven—all these being the glorious "things that accompany salvation" from beginning to end.Sermon delivered on September 20, 1857.