Now it is a fact which cannot be dissembled, that circum- stances not very dissimilar are found, wherever a man of an apostolic spirit is called to labour: multitudes of those to whom he has been primarily and more particularly sent, not only despise his message, but, when others in the neighbour- hood flock to hear his word, "are filled with envy," and complain of the inconvenience they sustain by having their churches so crowded. They also " contradict and blaspheme " both the testimony that is borne, and the minister who bears it. Thus m effect they " put away the word of God from them, and declare, by their conduct, that they neither value nor desire that salvation, which Christ has purchased for them. Ihus, with the most earnest desire to promote the salvation of those whom he regards as his immediate charge, a minister is often constrained, by the obstinacy of those who will not hear to be content with addressing himself to those who will ; and to regard those as the most endeared objects of his attention who are not, except by their own voluntary act, contained within the proper sphere of his commission. This is greatly to be regretted, because such despisers of the Gospel both harden themselves, and excite prejudice in others: nevertheless it is a comfort to the faithful minister to find, that, if rejected by some, there are others who hear him gladly, and know how to appreciate his labours.]
In turning to the Gentiles, he declared, II. The authority under which he acted
t jdHlmiglU have mentioned the express injunctions of his .Lord : but he knew that his word would have no weight with the Jews ; and therefore he cited a passage of the Old Testa- ment, which the Jews themselves understood as referring to the Messiah e. The passage he has quoted contains a promise of the Father to the Son, that he should not have the Jews only for a portion, but should be set for light and salvation to the ends of the earth.
Under this authority we now speak: and under this warrant we offer salvation to every child of man. Behold then, Christ is given for a light to the whole world ; and all of you who
sit in darkness and the shadow of death " may " come to the brightness of his rising." He is given also " for salvation " to the ends of the earth : and every one who is sensible of his lost estate, may " be saved from wrath through him "
I ij ?°d'S salvation > provided by him, qualified by him, upheld by him, accepted by him : and every sinner in the universe is not only authorized to trust in him, but is com- manded so to do ; and is assured by God himself that he
d Luke xxiv. 47. Acts i. 8. c xsai. xlix. G.