mined to glory in nothing else. The Gospel treats all mankind as already in a state of condemnation; it declares their utter inability to save or help themselves; and it gives assurance of pardon and salvation to all who believe in the Son of God. That they may be encouraged and enabled to believe, it describes the dignity of his person, the necessity and greatness of his sufferings, the completeness of his atonement, the prevalence of his intercession-his love, authority, power, and faithfulness. These truths revealed and applied to a guilty conscience, by the power of the Holy Spirit, produce faith. The sinner perceives the sufficiency and excellency of such a Saviour, commits himself to his compassion and care, and renounces every other hope and service. He looks to the Saviour by the eye of his mind, with desire and admiration, and derives life from his death, healing from his wounds, as the Israelites, when wounded, were healed by looking upon the brazen serpent. And not only is the conscience relieved, by this knowledge of Christ crucified-the understanding is likewise enlightened, the judgement is formed, the affections regulated and directed by it. Then old things pass away, all becomes new. The love of sin departs, and the future life is devoted to him, who therefore" died and revived, that "he might be Lord both of the dead and the living."* There is likewise a certain energy or power which accompanies the Gospel when it is truly preached, which sufficiently characterizes and distinguishes it from all other religious schemes and systems. Our Lord, during his personal ministry, frequently gave proofs that he knew the heart of man. When *Rom. xiv. 9. Zaccheus thought himself unknown and unseen, he called him by his name.* He reminded Na thanael of what had passed in secret under the fig-tree; and by a few words, brought to the remembrance of the woman of Samaria all that. she had done in her life. A similar effect accompanies the preaching of his Gospel to this day. The Gospel is preached, when they who are present find the secrets of their hearts are made manifest; when the preacher, who perhaps never saw them before, reminds them of what they have done, or said, or thought, possibly of things transacted long ago, and almost forgotten by themselves; and likewise describes the very feelings of their hearts while he is speaking to them. It is usually in this way that conviction of sin first takes place; and in this way, that a convinced, burdened sinner meets with seasonable support and direction, so exactly suited to his case, that he almost thinks the preacher is speaking to none but himself. No preachers but those who speak in conformity to the word which the Lord gave, have this power over the heart and conscience. II. It is owing to the word, the appointment, and power of God, that any persons are induced or enabled to preach this Gospel. Men may, indeed, assume the office of a preacher upon other grounds; there are too many who do. But though they speak in the name of the Lord, and as his ministers, if he has not sent them, they cannot declare his message in such a manner as to make full proof of their ministry. § They may profit themselves, according to their low views, and may * Luke, xix. 5. + John, i. 48. § 2 Tim. iv. 5. without counting the cost, or considering the consequences, he will most probably be disgusted and wearied. And if he seriously and properly considers before-hand what he is about to engage in, and has a due sense of his own weakness, he will tremble at the prospect, and direct his thoughts to some other employment, unless his call and support be from on high. What courage, wisdom, meekness, and zeal, appear requisite, in the view of such an inquirer, to qualify a man for preaching, and continuing to preach, a doctrine so unpleasing to the world as the doctrine of the cross has in all ages proved! What opposition, and snares, and difficulties, "what fightings from without, what "fears within," may be expected! Surely, he will be ready to shrink back, and to say, "Who "is sufficient for these things?" But the Lord, by the constraining sense of his love, and by giving a deep impression of the worth of souls, and by exciting in the mind a dependence upon his allsufficiency, can and does encourage those whom he calls and chooses, to serve him in the Gospel. In themselves they are quite unequal to what is before them, but they obey his voice: they trust in his promises for guidance and protection, and are not disappointed. We are therefore directed to pray, that "the Lord of the harvest would send," or rather (according to the force of the Greek word) "thrust forth labourers into his harvest."* 3. That only he who sends forth his ministers can enable them to persevere. It is a service of continual exertion and expense, and requires a continual supply. The opposition of the world, and the power of temptation, acting upon the weakness and depravity of the heart, would * Matt. ix. 38. quickly prevail against the best ministers, if they were left to carry on the warfare at their own charges. They are at times, yea frequently, in situations and circumstances which teach them feelingly the meaning of the apostle's words, "We were pressed out of measure, above strength, "insomuch that we despaired even of life."* Besides the trials incidental to the Christian profession, which they are exposed to in common with others, they have many which are peculiar to their calling as preachers of the Gospel. Their chief pre-eminence over Christians in private life is a painful one; they have the honour of bearing a double share of the heat and burden of the day, and of standing in the foremost ranks of the battle, to provoke and receive the fiercest assaults of the enemy. Their only resource and hope is in the faithfulness and compassion of their Lord, under whose banner and eye they fight, and who has said, "Lo! I am with you alway, even to the "end of the world." 4. That the Lord only can give success to their endeavours. "Paul may plant and Apollos may "water," but there is no increase unless he affords a blessing. It is at least a presumptive proof, that he has called a man to preach, if he owns his labours, since he has not promised to own any but those whom he sends. We must however allow, and observe, that to preach salvation to others, and even to be instrumental in saving souls, will not absolutely prove that the preacher is in a state of salvation himself, We hope it is generally so; but there are exceptions and instances, which should awaken our circumspection, and keep us constantly looking to the Lord in a spirit of humility and dependence. * 2 Cor. i. 8. † 1 Cor. iii. 6. There was a Judas among the apostles; and we are assured that at the last day, some, yea many, will plead having done great things in the name of Christ, whom he will notwithstanding disown as workers of iniquity.* Even the apostle Paul was impressed by this thought, and he has recorded the improvement he made of it for our instruction. "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."+ 66 SERMOM XXXI. THE GOSPEL MESSAGE, GLAD TIDINGS. ROMANS, X. 15. [As it is written] How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! THE account which the apostle Paul gives of his first reception among the Galatians, exemplifies the truth of this passage. He found them in a state of ignorance and misery; alienated from God, and enslaved to the blind and comfortless superstitions of idolatry. His preaching, accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit, had a great and marvellous effect. His principal subject was the death of Jesus, who had lately suffered as a malefactor at Jerusalem. Though the transaction was past, and the scene at a considerable dis *Matt. vii. 22, 23. + 1 Cor. ix. 27. Gal. iv. 15. |