that he sees to be needful for them in this state of trial and probation. And he has actually promised to all, who believe in him, a supply of all spiritual blessings according to their necessities. Now, this must occupy a very large share in the ministrations of those who would preach the Gospel aright. On the Godhead of Christ depends his sufficiency for the work assigned him : and on the discharge of all his offices, of Prophet, Priest, and King, depends the hope of all who trust in him. In these offices, therefore, he must be held forth to the faith of his people ; that through him their minds may be enlightened, their iniquities cancelled, and their enemies sub- dued. In a word, a full exhibition of Christ in his mediatorial character is that which chiefly constitutes what we call the Gospel : and if we would preach it aright, we must " deter- mine, with St. Paul, to know nothing amongst our people, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified."]
3. The nature and blessedness of his salvation —
[We shall preach Christ to little purpose, if we do not hold him forth as a Saviour from sin. He had the name Jesus assigned to him for that express purpose, that he might be recognized by all in this particular view, as " saving his people from their sins." To deliver them from wrath would be a small matter, if he did not also deliver them from sin : for sin, if suffered to retain dominion over them, would itself create a hell within them. I would speak it with reverence ; but I should not speak too strongly, if I should say, that God himself could not make a man happy, whilst he continued under the power of his sins. There is a beauty and a felicity in holiness; a beauty, in that it assimilates a man to God's image ; and a felicity, in that it is a foretaste of heaven itself. This requires to be opened, in order to guard against a mis- apprehension of the Gospel salvation, as though it were nothing more than a deliverance from death and hell ; and at the same time to give a right direction to every follower of Christ ; and to make him aspire after holiness, as the perfec- tion of his nature, and the completion of his bliss.]
But my text leads me to mark particularly,
II. With what different views this preaching may be maintained —
The Apostle speaks of some as preaching Christ " in pretence," and of others " in truth." And certain it is, that Christ is sometimes preached,
1. From unworthy motives — [One would scarcely suppose this possible. But what has been, may be : and, as in the Apostles' days, so now also,