which nothing could damp : privations, labours, im- prisonments, deaths, were of no account in his eyes ; " none of these things moved him, neither counted he his life dear unto him, so that he might but finish his course with joy, and fulfil the ministry that was committed to him." But what was the principle by which he was actuated ? He himself tells us, that he was impelled by a sense of obligation to Christ, for all that He had done and suffered for him : " the love of Christ constraineth us," says he ; " because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead ; and that He died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them and rose again ^." This is that principle which he desired to be universally embraced, and endeavoured to impress on the minds of all : " We beseech you, brethren," says he, " by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service™." What mercies he refers to, we are at no loss to determine ; they are the great mercies vouchsafed to us in the work of redemption : for so he says in another place ; " Ye are bought with a price ; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are his"."
Now this is the subject which the Apostle compre- liends under the term " Christ crucified :" it consists of two parts ; first, of affiance in Christ for salvation, and, next, of obedience to the law for his sake : had either part of it been taken alone, his views had been imperfect, and his ministry without success. Had he neglected to set forth Christ as the only Saviour of the world, he would have betrayed his trust, and led his hearers to build their hopes on a foundation of sand. On the other hand, if he had neglected to inculcate holiness, and to set forth redeeming love as the great incentive to obedience, he would have been justly chargeable with that which has been often falsely imputed to him, — an antinomian spirit ; and
1 2 Cor. V. 14, 15. "» Rom. xii. 1. " 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20.