Who is in all the assemblies of his people, in every worshipping assembly, in every holy heart? Whose hands have stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth? Who hath created all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible? Who is the governor of the nations? Whom is it the Father's will that all men should honor? Before whom do the devils tremble? Who raiseth the dead? Who weighs in the balance the destinies of angels and of men? Shall I ask a response from heaven? Shall I summons the devils from their chains of darkness? The response from heaven sounds in my ears-reason approves-and the devils confess. This, O Christian, is none other than the great God our Saviour! Indeed, the doctrine of our Lord's divinity is not, as a fact, more interesting to our faith, than as a principle essential to our life. If he were not the true God, he could not be eternal life. In short, the divinity of Christ is in the system of grace the sun, to which all its parts are subordinate, and all their stations refer, which binds them in sacred concord, and imparts to them their radiance, life and vigor. Take from it this central luminary, and its glory is departed-its holy harmonies are broken. The

elements rush to chaos-the light of salvation is extinguished forever."*

But to preach Christ Jesus the Lord, implies not only that we preach the glories of his person and character, but, fourthly, that we preach his condescension in the assumption of our nature and his vicarious sufferings for our salvation. Important as the divinity and glories of the Saviour are in the scheme of Christianity, they would afford the sinner no hope, were they not associated with his humiliation, death and sufferings. Those, who would faithfully preach Christ Jesus the Lord, will not content themselves with preaching him as the mighty God, but as bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, as God and man mysteriously united, and thus constituting a suitable mediator for our sinful race. An atonement holds not a less conspicuous and important place in the scheme of Christianity, than the divinity of Christ. If possible, it is a part of the gospel more interesting to sinful man than any other, for it is the only ground of confidence, the only foundation, upon which a sinner can build his hope. Take away this, and you destroy the gospel. Rob me of this, and you deprive me of

* Mason's Sermon on Messiah's Throne, delivered before the London Missionary Society.

my

shelter from the storm-you shut me out from my strong tower, my city of refuge—you take away my shield and my buckler, and you leave me exposed, helpless as a worm, to the just displeasure of Almighty God. Stay, bold innovator, stay thy cruel hand! Remove not the landmarks which our fathers have set. Take not away from the humble Christian his comfort in the belief of the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Deprive him not of that hope, which is as an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Drive him not into the sea of skepticism, to be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine.

Fifthly, preaching preaching Christ implies, that we preach his resurrection, ascension, intercession and care of his church. The resurrection of Christ is a doctrine of vital importance. As it is so generally received by all denominations of Christians, it is not so frequently insisted upon by the ministers of the gospel, but it is no less important on that account. It had a prominent place in the preaching of the apostles. So important did Paul consider it, that he says, If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. The preacher of the cross will also point his hearers to their once crucified Lord, ascending up on high and leading captivity

captive, and interceding at the right hand of the Majesty on high for the church which he hath purchased with his own blood. The intercession of Christ is one of the most important and fruitful subjects upon which ministers can preach. Through the Saviour's intercession, all spiritual blessings flow to the church of God. His care of the church, his precious promises for its security and prosperity, will afford rich and abundant themes for the ambassadors of heaven.

Sixthly, preaching Christ implies that we preach all the doctrines taught by him, and his apostles by virtue of his authority. Some of these leading doctrines have already passed under review; but there are many others which must not be overlooked-such as the purposes of God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit, justification by faith alone, the final perseverance of the saints, and the future and eternal retribution of the righteous and the wicked. Those doctrines, according to their relative importance, will be distinctly brought to view by those who preach Christ Jesus the Lord.

We remark, in the last place, under this division of our subject, that preaching Christ implies that we preach all the duties contained in his word—and the spirit and temper with which they

should be performed. Though mentioned last, it is by no means the least important part of our subject. The faithful minister will never cease to urge upon his people the vast importance of practical religion. Without this, all professions of faith, however correct in speculation-all pretensions to religious experience, however warm and glowing-will be vain. It is the practical Christian, that can alone expect to receive the plaudit of his Judge; Well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will make you ruler over many things, enter into the joy of your Lord.

III. We have yet to consider the third leading sentiment in the text-which is, the light in which preachers of the gospel should regard themselves as the servants of his people for Jesus' sake. They should, in the first place, entertain low and humbling ideas of themselves. While they magnify their office, preachers of the gospel should never magnify themselves. Humility, becoming to all Christians, is peculiarly so to ministers of the gospel. Few men are in greater danger of pride and vain-glory. They are more exposed to flattery than other men, -and they need a more than ordinary share of