emboldened primarily and principally to recommend the Gospel from this consideration, that while the zealous advocates for self-righteousness are miserably defective in all spiritual duties, the Gospel of Christ invariably stimulates us to a holy, spiritual, and unre- served obedience.
Many more excellencies of the Gospel might be mentioned : but if those that have been stated will not endear it to us, it is in vain to hope that any thing which could be added would procure it a favourable reception.
And now, as there are many in this Assembly3 who are already engaged in the service of the sanctuary, and many others who are destined in due time to undertake the sacred office of the ministry, and as the words of my text are in a more especial manner applicable to persons so circumstanced, suffer me, with humility, yet with freedom and faithfulness, to address myself in a more especial manner to them ; and let me entreat you to bear with me if I " use great boldness of speech."
I would beseech you then, my Brethren, to con- sider, that as the eternal welfare of our fellow-crea- tures is suspended on their reception or rejection of the Gospel, so their acquaintance with the Gospel must depend, in a great measure, on those who are authorized to teach it : for " faith cometh by hear- ing; and how shall they hear without a preacher?" Be not offended then if I ask, whether you yourselves have " received the truth in the love of it ?" If you have not, how can you properly commend it to others ? How can it be expected that you should "contend earnestly for that faith" which you your- selves have never embraced ; or that you should labour with becoming zeal to convert your hearers, when you yourselves are unconverted ? O let it be a matter of deep and serious inquiry amongst us, whether we have felt the force and influence of the Gospel ? Have we ever been, convinced of unbelief?
b Preached before the University.
I4()l.] THE CxOSPEL MESSAGE. £09
Have we seen the equity and reasonableness of the judgments denounced against us whilst in that state? Have we, under a deep conviction of our guilt and helplessness, " fled to Christ for refuge ?" Have we discovered the transcendent excellency of this sal- vation ; and do we feel in our inmost souls its perfect suitableness to our own necessities, and its tendency to promote the interests of holiness ? Can we say with the Apostle, that, " what our eyes have seen, our ears have heard, and our hands have handled of the word of life, that, and that only, we declare" unto our people ? In short, while we profess that " the ministry of reconciliation has been committed unto us," do we experience this reconciliation ourselves ? The salvation of our own souls, no less than that of our fellow-sinners, depends on this : indeed we are more interested in the Gospel than any ; for if we continue ignorant of it, we perish under the aggra- vated guilt of rejecting it ourselves, and of betraying the souls of others into irretrievable ruin. We, of all people under heaven, are most bound to divest ourselves of prejudice, and to labour with our whole hearts, both to enjoy the blessings of the Gospel, and to shew ourselves patterns of its sanctifying influ- ence. Let us then, in compliance with the Divine command, " take heed to ourselves, and to our doc- trine, that, in so doing, we may both save ourselves and them that hear us."
But let others also be aware, that though they may have no responsibility attaching to them as mi- nisters, they have as Christians. 1 must beg leave therefore to say unto all, that as " baptism is not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God," so the faith which they profess cannot save them, unless it be accom- panied with a renovation of heart and life. Do not then be hasty to conclude that you are true be- lievers : " examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith ; prove your ownselves." Be assured, it is no easy matter to believe : it is by no means pleasing to flesh and blood : there is not any thing to which we