reveal. He told his hearers, that "he had many thmgs to say unto them ; but that they could not bear them then""." Yet did he so far unfold the mystery of godliness to his hearers, that all future revelations of it should evidently appear to be only a continuation and enlargement of the same divine testimony.
1. He traced salvation to its source, the love of God the Father"^
2. He referred to his own sufferings as the means whereby it was to be accomplished^
3. He displayed it in all its glorious effects, the glory of God, and the salvation of man^
Nor could any consideration whatever induce him to conceal within his own bosom any one truth which he was commissioned to declare.
[He could appeal to the heart-searching God, " I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest." In every part of his ministry " he w^itnessed a good confession^:" and, at the close of it, gave the most explicit directions relative to the truths that should be proclaimed by all the ministers of his word^.]
This passage is fulfilled yet further,
n. In the ministry of all his faithful servants — St. Peter unfolded this great salvation both to
Jevv's* and Gentiles'" St. Paul determined
to know nothing amongst his people, " save Jesus Christ and him crucified'"
And we also can appeal to God that we, according to our ability, have followed his steps, " not shunning to declare unto you all the counsel of God"'
t" John xvi. 12. ^ John iii. 16.
e Matt. XX. 28. and xxvi. 26 — 28.
f John xii. 28, 32. He opened it fully, under the images of the bread of life, John vi. 35, 47 — 51. and iv. 13, 14. as also under other images, John xi. 25, 26. and xiv. 6.
g 1 Tim. vi. 13. ^ Luke xxiv. 46, 47.
i Acts ii. 36. and iii. 16, 19. and iv. 10 — 12. and v. 30, 31. and xiii. 38, 39.
k Acts X. 43. 1 1 Cor. ii. 2.
™ Acts XX. 27. Here the different expressions of the text may be dwelt upon to advantage.