Phil. i. 17. / am set for the defence of the Gospel.
THE Gospel is a revelation of mercy to sinful man, and the most stupendous display of God's wisdom and grace that ever was given to his intelligent crea- tion It might naturally have been expected
that such tidings should have been invariably wel- comed with unbounded joy : but, in every age, and every place under heaven, has it excited the fiercest
opposition On the other hand, it has been
maintained with firmness by God's faithful servants, and has triumphed over all the opposition that either
men or devils could raise against it In truth,
it has been assailed no less by subtilty than by force; and its very doctrines have been propagated with a view to undermine its influence. St. Paul tells us, that, on his imprisonment, many rose to the occasion, and proclaimed the Gospel with augmented fortitude; but that some had preached it for no other end than that of drawing away his disciples, and thereby adding affliction to his bonds. He, however, whether under prosperous or adverse circumstances, " was set for the defence of the Gospel," and was determined to maintain it, even unto death.
In him we see,
I. What place the Gospel should hold in our estima- tion—
Nothing is of importance in comparison of it — [Nothing can vie with it in certainty as a record, in rich- ness as a system, or in value as a remedy.
Whatever can be conceived as necessary to establish its authority as a divine record, is found in it in such abundance, that no record under heaven can be received, if this be not. Its evidences, both external and internal, are so clear and numerous, that it is not possible for a candid mind to with- stand their force
And what wonders of love and mercy does it bring to our view! the substitution of God's co-equal, co-eternal Son, in