partakers of the same benefit. This hope it was that made him so indefatigable in all his labours, and so invincible under all his sufferings.
And I may safely say, that the same blessed hope will ani- mate every faithful minister to tread in the Apostle's steps, and to be a follower of him, as he was of Christ.]
In this address of St. Paul to the Corinthians, we yet further see,
II. What reciprocity of feeling he may hope to find amongst those to whom he ministers — If this experience attends a faithful ministration of the Gospel, so does it also, in some degree, a faithful reception of it : and if it should be welcomed by the preacher as an evidence of his fidelity, so should it also be welcomed by his hearers as a testimony borne by God himself in their favour. I call you then, beloved, to shew a measure of that enlargement which was so conspicuous and unrivalled in the Apostle Paul. To every one of you I say. Resemble him.
1. Let your reception of the Gospel be alike cor- dial—
[It is as worthy of your reception, as it was of his ; and will be as rich a source of blessings to you as ever it was to him ]
2. Let your devotion to it be alike entire —
[See how entirely he devoted himself to God, from the very first moment that the Lord Jesus revealed himself unto him. " He conferred not with flesh and blood." Having asked, " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" he knew of no will, but God's ; no way, but that which the Lord himself prescribed. Be ye, brethren, alike upright in the service of Him who " has reconciled you to God by the blood of his cross." " Ye are not your own : ye are bought with a price : therefore ye must glorify God with youi- body and your spirit, which are his " ]
3. Let your zeal for it be alike ardent —
[In the whole passage we have read to you, you have heard what labours he undertook, and what sufferings he endured, in order to diffuse the knowledge of that Gospel which he had found so beneficial to his own soul. And shall not " the love of Christ constrain you" also? Shall any labour be accounted too great, or any suffering too severe, if you may