Let me found on this subject,
1. Some matter of inquiry —
[What benefit have you received from all the labours of your minister? Are there not many who are as ignorant and as worldly as if they had never heard the Gospel at all ? You can bear me witness, that, from the beginning, " I have never known any thing amongst you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified ;" and yet how many of you have derived no benefit to your souls! To what has this been owing? I acknowledge, with shame, that tlie word has been ministered to you in much weakness ; but if Paul or ApoUos had ministered unto you, even their labour would have been lost, it is to be feared, on many of you, because you have not regarded the word as
God's, nor looked to him for a blessing upon it To
some, we would hope, the word has not been altogether in vain : but would it not have taken far more effect, if you had
looked less to the creature, and more to God? I pray
you to be on your guard respecting this. The brazen serpent was broken to pieces as " Nehushtan" (a piece of brass) be- cause to it was transferred the honour that was due to God alone. Cease ! O cease from all " carnal" partialities ! and, by whomsoever God shall speak to you, " receive the word, not as the word of man, but, as it is in truth, the word of God."]
2. Some ground of encouragement —
[Behold what God has wrought by means of a few poor fishermen ! And can he not make his word eflfectual for you ? Is it not " sharper than any two-edged sword?" and shall it not still be " mighty, through Him, to the pulling down of strongholds, and to the casting down every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ?" It gained not its eflicacy from the wisdom of Paul ; nor shall it lose its efficacy because spoken by me. God has ordained, that " by the foolishness of preaching he will save them that believe :" and if ye receive our testimony, however weak it may be, it shall prove " the power of God to the salvation of your souls." Direct your eyes, then, simply to the Lord ; and, " since ye are not straitened in him, be not straitened in your own souls." Only let your expectations be from Him alone, and you shall not be disappointed of your hope. " Open your mouth wide; and he will fill it."]