that physic be provided ; but there must be an appHcation of it. It is not sufficient that there is a treasure ; but there must be a digging of it out. It is not sufficient that there be a candle or Hght ; but there must be a holding out of the light for the good and use of others. It was not sufficient that there was a ' brazen serpent,' but the brazen serpent must be ' lifted up,' that the people might see it. It is not sufficient that there is a standard, but the standard must be set up. It is not sufficient that there be a founda- tion, but there must be a building upon the foundation. It is not suffi- cient that there be a garment, but there must be a putting of it on. It is not sufficient that there be a box of ointment, but the box must be opened, that the whole house may be filled with the smell. It is not sufficient that there be tapestry, and glorious hangings, but there must be an unfolding of them. Therefore there must be a dispensation of the mysteries of Christ ; for, though Christ be physic, he must be applied ; though Christ be a gar- ment, he must be put on ; though he be a foundation, we must build on him, or else we have no good by him'; though he in his truth be a treasure, yet he must be digged up in the ministry ; though he be a light, he must be held forth ; though he be food, there must be an application. Of neces- sity therefore there must be a dispensation of the gospel, as well as redemp- tion wrought by Christ ; ' preached to the Gentiles.'
To unfold the point a little, seeing the necessity of it, to shew
What it is to j^reach.
What it is to 2Jreach Christ. And,
What it is to preach Christ to the Gentiles.
1. To preach is to open the mystery of Christ, to open whatsoever is in Christ ; to break open the box that the savour may be perceived of all. To open Christ's natures and person what it is ; to open the offices of Christ : first, he was a prophet to teach, wherefore he came into the world ; then he was a priest, offering the sacrifice of himself ; and then after he had offered his sacrifice as a priest, then he was a king. He was more publicly and gloriously kno^-n to be a king, to rule. After he had gained a people by his priesthood and offering, then he was to be a king to govern them. But his prophetical office is before the rest. He was all at the same time, but I speak in regard of manifestation. Now ' to preach Christ ' is to lay open these things.
And likewise the states wherein he executed his office. First, the state of humihation. Christ was first abased, and then glorified. The flesh he took upon him was first sanctified and then abased, and then he made it glorious flesh. He could not work our salvation but in a state of abase- ment ; he could not apply it to us but in a state of exaltation and glory. To open the merits of Christ, what he hath wrought to his Father for us ; to open his efficacy, as the spiritual Head of his church ; what wonders he works in his children, by altering and raising of them, by fitting and pre- paring them for heaven : likewise to open all the promises in Christ, they are but Christ dished and parcelled out. ' All the promises in Christ are yea and amen,' 2 Cor. i. 20. They are made for Christ's sake, and performed for Christ's sake ; they are all but Christ severed into so many particular gracious blessings. ' To preach Christ ' is to lay open all this, which is the inheritance of God's people.
But it is not sufficient to preach Christ, to lay open all this in the view of others ; but in the opening of them, there must be application of them to the use of God's people, that they may see their interest in them ; and there must be an alluring of them, for to preach is to woo. The preachers
500 TllK I-OUNTAIN OPKNED.
uro jxintni/mplii* the friends of the bridej,'room, that are to procure the man-iuj^o between Christ and his church ; therefore, they are not only to hiy open the riches of the husband, Christ, but hkcwise to entreat for a niarria^'e, and to use all the },'ii'ts and parts that God hath given them, to bring Christ and his church together.