Rom. x. 12 — 15. There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek : for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Hoiv then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed ? and how sliall they believe in him of whom they have not heard ? and how shall they hear without a preacher ? and how shall they preach, except they be sent ? as it is written, Hoiv beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things !
MEN, as sinners, need to be reminded from day to day, that there is a Saviour provided for them, and
that the salvation wrought out by him, is offered freely to every child of man. To declare this is the special work of the ministry ; which is therefore called, The ministry of reconciliation, because the end and object of it is to proclaim this truth, " that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." In deli- vering this message, we sometimes appear to ourselves as in danger of wearying our audience by needless repetitions ; but we check ourselves when we hear St. Paul apologizing for the same conduct in these words ; " To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous ; but for you it is safe." We might diversify our subjects more, and thereby admi- nister to the gratification of " itching ears:" but there is no subject in the universe of such vital importance as this ; and therefore we most approve ourselves faithful to our high calling, when, like Paul, "we know nothing among you but Christ, and him crucified."
St. Paul, in all the preceding context, has shewn, that salvation is simply by faith in Christ : and that, in publishing it equally both to Jews and Gentiles, he had only done what Moses and the prophets had done before him ; and what must be done, if ever either Jews or Gentiles are to be made partakers of it.
The words which we have read will naturally lead us to set before you,
I. The way of salvation —
There is but one way of salvation for all mankind — [As soon as ever sin entered into the world, the way of salvation by the works of the law was closed. From that day to this, " the flaming sword, once placed at the east of Eden, has prohibited all access to the tree of life," except that which was opened in the promise, that " the Seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's heada." From that time, this way of sal- vation was shadowed forth in sacrifices, with the skins of which our first parents were clothed, to remind them, that they must be clothed in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, which alone could cover the shame of their nakedness
a Gen. iii. 15, 24.