1. How worthy of acceptation is the Gospel of Christ !
[When we consider who it is that has proclaimed the Gospel to us, even " the true and faithful Witness," the Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot entertain a doubt either of its truth or excellency. Take all the promises and invitations ; take them in ail their freeness, and in all their fulness ; which of them is not worthy to be embraced with our whole hearts, and to be relied upon with our whole souls? Well did St. Paul say of the Gospel, " It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation." O that we could receive it as we ought! O that we felt our need of it, and that we were duly mindful of the authority and veracity of Him who has revealed it to us ! We should not then dare to slight it ; nor should we hesitate to rest in it with most implicit confidence.]
e Heb. ii. 3.
2. How worthless are all things, in comparison of it !
[Let crowns and kingdoms be put into the balance against it, and they will all be found lighter than vanity itself. What is become of all that the greatest monarchs ever enjoyed ? It is vanished away as a dream. And what will soon become of the whole world ? It will all pass away, as a morning cloud ; and be as though it had never been. Of this we are all sen- sible ; but yet we find it difficult to realize our own principles. In opposition to our better judgment, we are carried away after some worthless objects, which often elude our grasp ; or, if enjoyed, are no sooner possessed than they perish. But if we seek for Jesus and his kingdom, all will be secured to us. No one ever sought eternal things in earnest, and was disap- pointed of his hope : no one ever suffered loss for them, but he found it to be gain in the end. To all then, I say, " Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you ; for him hath God the Father sealed."]