the lustre imparted by the one was external, on the face of Moses ; the change wrought by the other is internal, in the heart and in the soul. In the one, the radiance shone from one only ; in the other, it is conferred on all who believe. In the one, it passed away quickly ; in the other, it is abiding, even to the end of life, and through eternal ages. In the one, it was to be veiled from the sight of all ; in the other, it is to be displayed for the instruction of all, that all may see in it the hand of God>', and learn to glorify its Divine Author ^ Well then may it be said, that " that which was made glo- rious, liad no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth :" for in truth, though the law shone like the starry heavens in the brightest night, the Gospel, like the meridian sun, has eclipsed its splendour, and cast a veil over all its glory.]
Let not this however be with us a matter of specu- lation only : let us consider,
III. The conduct which our superior dispensation demands — And, 1. Of ministers — [The influence which these considerations had upon the Apostle was, to make him " use great plainness of speech." He would not, like Moses, " put a veil upon his face," to conceal any part of the splendour of this Gospel^; but would preach it with all fidelity, and, by the fullest possible " mani- festation of it, commend himself to every man's conscience in the sight of God^." This then is what we must do ; and what, through grace, it is our delight to do. Yes, brethren, we declare to you freely that the law, as a covenant of works, is abrogated ; and a new covenant, with a better Mediator, and with better promises, is proposed to you in the Gospel. This new covenant provides, as you have heard, righteousness for the guilty, and strength for the weak ; and authorizes every believer to say, " In the Lord have I righteousness and strength '^." O that we might be instrumental to the bringing you into a near and full acquaintance with this better dispen- sation ! Never would we forget that our one great office is, to make it known to you, and to bring you to the enjoyment of all its blessings. We would go up to the holy mount our- selves to receive it from God, and we would come down with it in our hands and in our hearts to proclaim it to you'*. We do proclaim it to you at this moment : vve do declare to you, that the most guilty sinner in the universe may now find
y ver. 2, 3. « Matt. v. 16. » yer. 12, 13.
^ 2 Cor. iv. 2. = Isai. xlv. 24. ^ 1 Cor. xv. 3. 1 John i. 1—3.