them is the whole mystery of his love unfolded, in all its height and depth, and length and breadth.]
3. Because the souls of men are benefited —
[Men, I say again, have nothing to do with the motives of the preacher. But if they receive the truth in the love of it, they enter at once into the full liberty of the Gospel, and enjoy all the blessings of a finished salvation. Amongst the Jews, many who rejected Christ were empowered to cast out devils : and the persons dispossessed were as much liberated from the bonds of Satan as if the work had been wrought by the most distinguished Apostle. In like manner, the person who was instructed in the truth by the ministration of Judas, felt the power of the word as much as if he had received it from Peter or from John. The traveller is not less refreshed by a fountain in a desert, because he was led to it by the feet of beasts : nor are the waters of life deprived of their efficacy, because they have not been first tasted by him who puts the cup into our hands. It is the truth, and not the minister, that makes us free: it is Christ, and not the preacher, that saves the soul. Say, then, whether it be not a just ground of joy that the saving doctrines of the Gospel are proclaimed, even though it be by one who is a stranger to their power? Yes, " if Christ be preached," by whomsoever it may be, and from whatever motive, " I therein do rejoice, vea, and rejoice. J
May we not, then, from hence observe,
1. How unlike to the Apostles are they who hate the preaching of Christ !
[There is no other subject in the world so odious to the ungodly as this. We may preach the Law as strictly as we please, and men will hear us with delight: but let us preach the Gospel, and men will be sure to be offended with us : and if this effect do not follow, we may be sure that we do not preach as Christ and his Apostles preached it. But what shall we say of those who thus take offence ? St. Paul rejoiced in the Gospel, though so unworthily propagated from envy and strife: but these persons are grieved at it, even when delivered with the utmost sincerity and love. " They know not, alas ! what spirit they are of:" but this they may know, that if they be not brought to an entire change of mind, so as to love the Gospel as the Apostle did, they can never hope to participate, with him, its joys in a better world.]
2. What cause have they for sorrow, who, though they hear the Gospel, make no suitable improvement of it !