[Repentance is unknown to the law : that says, ' Do this, and live;' and in the event of transgression, denounces a curse against usb. Whatever there was of repentance enjoined by Moses and the Prophets, it was altogether from a respect to that sacrifice which was in due time to be offered for the sins of men. That it is an evangelical duty, appears from its com- prehending the substance of John's preaching0, and of Christ himself d, and of the Apostles also, both at, and after, the day
of Pentecost e and to bring men to it, was the end for
which Christ died and rose again. This therefore must be preached as an essential part of the Gospel.
" Remission of sins" also is a distinguishing feature of the Gospel of Christ : it is indeed the glory of the Gospel, that it makes provision for our attainment of that blessing. Not that the remission of sins is bestowed on account of our repent- ance: repentance prepares the mind for a due reception of it; but it is for the sake of Christ only that it is bestowed : and therefore in our preaching we must particularly mark, that this mercy is the purchase of his blood, and the gift of his grace.]
These are to be preached to all nations —
[The blessings of the Mosaic dispensation were confined to the House of Israel; but those of the Gospel are to be extended to all mankind. They are equally necessary for all, free for all, effectual for all : there is not a human being that does not need to repent and seek remission of sins in the name of Christ ; for " there is no name but his, whereby any man can be saved." Nor is any person excluded from these mercies, if he do not himself thrust them away from him ; for " the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him." Nor shall any have reason to complain that they are not suffi- cient for him ; for " all that believe are justified for all things." Hence the offer of them must be made to all ; " we must go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature."]
Our Lord however enjoined his Apostles — II. To begin their ministration of it at Jerusalem —
It had been foretold that " the law should go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." But there were also important reasons in our Lord's mind, why his Gospel should in the first instance be published there. It would be eminently useful,
1. To confirm his truth —
b Gal. iii. 10.
c Matt. iii. 2.
<l Matt. iv. 1 7.
e Acts ii. 38. and iii. 19.