the occasion of deeper condemnation to those wlio reject their message, yet are they accepted and ap- proved of God, as well in their ineffectual, as in their successful, labours.
This is the consolation expressed in the text ; from whence we shall take occasion to shew,
I. In what way the ministry of the Gospel is regarded by God — God is pleased to speak of himself as delighting in the ministry of his Gospel —
[That which his servants labour to diffuse, is, the know- ledge of Christ. They set forth incessantly his name, his work, and offices : and exah him as the only Saviour of the world
This, like the sacrifice which Noah '', and which Christ
himself, offered'', is to God "an odour of a sweet smell." It is to him " as ointment poured forth '^."]
And good reason there is why he should be so de- lighted with it —
[The Gospel of Christ is that wherein all the glory of God is concentrated and made manifest. We may behold the power, the wisdom, and the goodness of God in the works of creation and providence ; but in the work of redemption we see an united display of all his perfections : " Mercy and truth meet together; and righteousness and peace kiss each
other'^" No wonder therefore that his ministers, who
proclaim this Gospel, are considered as rendering to him an acceptable service.]
Nor does his approbation of it at all depend on the success with which it is attended —
[God is certainly well pleased when any "are saved" by his Gospel : for then all his gracious purposes respecting them
are accomplished -Then is his dear Son honoured,
and, as it were, rewarded " for the travail of his soul®." Then " mercy," his darling attribute, " in which he chiefly delights," has free and full scope for exercise.
But God is no less glorified " in them also that perish :" for they must to all eternity acknowledge the goodness of God towards them ; and confess his justice in the judgments in- flicted on them.
To us the punishment of the wicked is a ground of lamen-
» Gen. viii. 21. '' Eph. v. 2. «; Cant. i. 3.
d Ps. Ixxxv. 10. -^ Isai. liii. 11.