First, Christ's ambassadors commissioned. " Now then, we " are ambassadors for Christ" The Lord Jesus thought it not suf- ficient to print the law of grace and the blessed terms of our union with him in the scriptures, where men may read his willingness to receive them, and see the just and gracious terms and conditions upon which he offers to become theirs ; but hath also set up and established a standing office in the church, to expound that law, inculcate the precepts, and urge the promises thereof; to woo and espouse souls to Christ, " I have espoused you to one Husband, " that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ," 2 Cor. xi. 20. and this not simply from their own affections and compassion;; to miserable sinners, but also by virtue of their office and commission, whereby they are authorised and appointed to that work. " We " then are ambassadors for Christ.1"
Secondly, Their commission opened : Wherein we find,
1. Their work appointed,
2. Their capacity described,
3. And the manner of their acting in that capacity prescribed.
First, The work whereunto the ministers of the gospel are ap- pointed, is to reconcile the world to God ; to work these sinful, vain, rebellious hearts, which have a strong aversion from God naturally in them, to close with him according to the articles of peace con- tained in the gospel, that thereby they may be capable to receive the mercies and benefits purchased by the death of Christ, which they cannot receive in the state of enmity and alienation.
Secondly, Their capacity described : They act in Chrisfs stead, as his vicegerents. He is no more in this world to treat personally with sinners, as he once did in the days of his flesh ; but yet he still continues the treaty with this lower world, by his officers, requiring men to look upon them, and obey them as they would himself, if he were corporeally present, Luke x. 16. " He that 4* heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth t; me/*
Thirdly, The manner of their acting in that capacity prescribed ; and that is, by humble, sweet, and condescending entreaties and beseeching*. This best suits the meek and lamb-like Saviour whom they represent : thus he dealt with poor sinners himself, when he conversed among them ; he " would not break a bruised reed, nor " quench the smoking flax," Isa. xlii. 3. This is the way to allure and win the souls of sinners to Christ.
From hence the note is,
Doct. That the pr caching of 'the gospel by Chrisfs ambassadors, is the mean appointed for the reconciling and bringing home of sinners to Christ.
SKlfM. 111. THE METHOD OF GRACE. 51
This is clear from Rom. x. J 4. 1 Cor. i. 81. and many other scriptures.
Here we shall take into consideration these three things.
First, What is implied in Christ's treating with sinners by his ambassadors or ministers.
Secondly, What is the great concernment they are to treat with sinners about.
Thirdly, What, and when is the efficacy of preaching, to bring sinners to Christ.
First, We will open what is implied and imported in Christ's treaty with sinners, by his ambassadors or ministers.
And here we find these six things implied.
1. It necessarily implies the defection and fall of man, from his estate of favour and friendship with God : If no war with heaven, what need of ambassadors of peace ? The very office of the ministry is an argument of the fall. Gospel-ordinances and officers came in upon the fall, and expire with the Mediator's dispensatory-king- dom, 1 Cor. xv. 24, 25. " Then shall he deliver up the kingdom " to God, even the Father :" Thenceforth no more ordinances, no more ministers ; What use can there be of them, when the treaty is ended ? They have done and accomplished all they were ever intended and designed for, when they shall have reconciled to God all the number of his elect, that are dispersed among the lost and miserable posterity of Adam, and have brought them home to Christ in a perfect state, Eph. iv. 12, <$fc.
2. It implies the singular grace and admirable condescension of God to sinful man. That God will admit any treaty with him at all, is wonderful mercy, it is more than he would do for the angels that fell, Jude, ver. 6. " They are reserved in everlasting chains, " under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day." Christ took not on him their nature, but suffered myriads of them to perish, and fills up their vacant places in glory, with a number of sinful men and women, to whom the law awarded the same punishment.
But that God will not only treat, but entreat and beseech sin- ful men to be reconciled, is yet more wonderful. Barely to pro- pound the terms of peace had been an astonishing mercy; but to woo and beseech stubborn enemies to be at peace, and accept their pardon, oh, how unparalleled was this condescension.
3. It implies the great dignity and honour of the gospel-ministry. We are ambassadors for Christ* f Ambassadors represent and per- sonate the prince that sends them ; and the honours or contempts
* We are ambassadors among those who serve the king of Kings ; we represent the person of God and Christ: never any yet despised us with impunity, nay, without being injurious to God and Christ. Boivles' Pro-fat. ad Past. Evan.
52 1HE METHOD OF GRACE. SERM. III.
done to them, reflect upon, and are reckoned to the person of their master, Luke x. 16. " He that heareth you, heareth me ; " and he that despiseth you, despiseth me."
Neither their persons, nor parts, are the proper ground and reason of our respects to them ; but their office and commission from Jesus Christ
We are fallen into the dregs of time, wherein a vile contempt is poured, not only upon the persons, but the very office of the ministry ; and I could heartily wish that scripture, Mai. ii. 7, 8, 9. were thoroughly considered by us ; possibly it might inform us of the true cause and reason of this sore judgment : but surely Christ's faithful ministers deserve a better entertainment than they ordi- narily find in the world ; and if we did but seriously bethink our- selves, in whose name they come, and in whose stead they stand, we should receive them as the Galatians did Paul, Gal. iv. 14. as angels of God, even as Christ Jesus.
4. Christ's treating with sinners by his ministers, who are his ambassadors, implies the strict obligation they are under to be faithful in their ministerial employment. Christ counts upon their faithfulness whom he puts into the ministry, 1 Tim. i. 12. They ■are accountable to him for all acts of their office, Heb. xiii. 17. If they be silent, they cannot be innocent : " Necessity is laid " upon them, and woe to them, if they preach not the gospel,"