then that he determined to insist on this subject, and nothing else ; since, whether in the removing of guilt from the conscience, or of corruption from the soul, nothing could bear any comparison with this.
Further, He determined to know nothing but this subject, — because nothing could he added to it zcnthoitt weakening or destroying its efficacy. The subject of Christ crucified may, as we have before observed, be considered as consisting of two parts, — a foundation, and a superstructure. Now St. Paul declares, that if any thing whatever be added to that foundation, it will make void the whole Gospel. If any thing could have been found which might safely have been added to it, we might suppose that the rite of circumcision might have claimed that honour, because it was of God's special appointment, and had had so great a stress laid upon it by God himself: but St. Paul says in reference to that rite, that if any person should submit to it with a view to confirm his interest in the Gospel, " Christ should profit him nothing :" such a person would have " fallen from grace," as much as if he had renounced the Gospel altogether. Again, if any person, who had the foundation rightly laid within him, should build upon it any thing but the pure, the simple, the essential duties of religion, '^ his work should be burnt up as wood or stubble ;" and though he should not entirely lose heaven, he should lose much of his happiness there, and be saved only like one snatched out of the devouring flames. With such a view of the subject, what inducement could the Apostle have to add any thing to it ?
But the Apostle speaks yet more strongly respect- ing this. He tells us, not only that the adulterating of the subject by any base mixture will destroy its efficacy, but that even an artificial statement of the truth will make it of none effect. God is exceedingly jealous of the honour of his Gospel : if it be plainly and simply stated he will work by it, and make it effectual to the salvation of men ; but if it be set forth with all the ornaments of human eloquence, and stated in " the words wdiich man's wisdom teacheth,"