on earth lies in a free trade with heaven. Tliis workl is a barren place ; nothing is here to be had that an immortal sonl can live upon, or find satisfaction from. In heaven alone is to be found what it needs ; the food it must live on, the clothes it nuist wear, are both of the growth of that country. Man's first sin spoiled all his trade with heaven. No sooner did Adam rebel, but a war com- menced, and all trade with him was foi-bidden ; therefore in our natural state we are said to be ' afar off,' and ' without (iod in the world.' The sad effects of this loss are to be seen in the forlorn condition of man's soul, which was once so gloriously arrayed with righteousness and holiness, but now naked, not having a rag to cover its shame withal. Now, God sends his ambassadors to offer peace, and with it liberty to return to its first communion with him : ' Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters ; and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price.' He invites men to turn merchants with heaven, — ' Come ye to the waters ;' by which phrase the gospel is compared to a port-town, or its quay-side, to which the crier calls people to repair, and buy commodities that are there landed. Here it is that God sets forth the riches of his grace to view and sale, without money and without price. TKat must needs be a gainful trade which brings in rich treasure without much cost : here is all the riches of heaven to be had, and no money required for the purchase. Can you hear of this pearl of great price, and not turn merchants for it? or can your souls be maintained by your peddling worldly trade ? O, why do ye spend your money for that which is not bread ? It is not necessary you should be rich in the world, but it is necessary you should have Christ and his grace. In all your pains and travail for the things of this world, you are but adventurers, it is a hazard whether you get them. There is no certain method can be learned for growing rich in the world ; there are some poor as well as rich of every trade ; but in this trade for Christ and his grace, there is an office erected to insure all your adventure : ' His soul shall live that seeks the Lord ;' ' He that hungers after righteousness shall be satisfied.'
Secondly, Ministers are called ambassadors in regard of their duty as well as dignity. Places of honour are places of trust and sei'vice. Many like well enough to hear of the minister's dignity ; like Diotrephes, they love pre-eminence, but would willingly be excused the labour that attends it. None have a greater trust deposited intheir hands than the minister. It is a weight that made the apostle tremble under it : ' I was among you with much fear and trembling.' To them is committed the word of reconciliation, 2 Cor. v. 19. If the treaty of peace between God and sinners doth not succeed, the ambassador is sure to be called to an account how he discharged his duty.
CHAPTER XII.
WHY GOD SKNDS AMBASSADORS; AND WHY UF- USETH MEN, NOT ANGELS.
The second thing is to give an account why God sends ambassadors to his poor creatures.
First, Negatively. Not because he needs man's good-will. Earthly princes' affairs require they should hold a correspondence with their neighbours ; there- fore they send anibassadoi-s to procure peace, or preserve amity ; but God can defend his crown without the help of allies. Secondly, Not because he was bound to do it. There is a law of nations, yea, of nature, that obliges princes, before they commence a war, to offer peace. But the great God cannot be bound, except he bind himself. When Adam sinned, God was free to make a new league with man, or take vengeance on him for breaking his faith in the first.
But, affirmatively. No other account can be given of this but the good-will and free- grace of God. When Christ (who is the chief ambassador) landed first on earth, see what brought him, — Luke i. 78 : ' Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us.' Tender mercy indeed ! for the life of man lay under God's foot, at his pure mercy : he was no more boimd to treat with liis creature, than a prince with a traitor legally condennied. Wherever (iods ambassadors come, they come on mercy's errand, — ' The Lord God of their fathers sent to (hem by his messengers, rising up
3 ci 2
g9{) FOR WHICH I AM AN AMBASSADOR.
betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people,' 2 Chron. xxxvi. 15.