power which they were not able to withstand. They had been selected from all the people of Israel, to be more especially instructed by their Lord in the nature of his religion, which he was about to establish : for to them did our Lord explain in secret the truths which he had delivered only in parables to his public auditories. To them also was given an experience of what they knew, by an operation of divine grace upon their souls ; and an authority also was vested in them, to proclaim to others the truths which had been so far revealed to themselves. They were empowered, also, to work the most astonishing miracles in confirmation of their word : and, ultimately, to become instructors, yea, and instruments of salvation also, to millions of the human race. Finally, their names were written in the Lamb's book of life ; and they were taught to look for- ward to all the felicity of heaven, as their sure and everlasting inheritance. No one of these things had they merited : no one of these things had they purchased or procured to them- selves : all these blessings, whether official or personal, had been freely given to them, as an act of sovereign grace on the part of their Lord and Saviour: and, in reference to every one of the mercies, our Lord could say, " Ye have not chosen me; but I have chosen you'^."]
Nor are the blessings which have been vouchsafed to us less worthy of notice —
[True, we are not called to be Apostles, or to receive truth by inspiration, or to work miracles : but if we fall short of them in what relates to their official character, we are not a whit below them in all that is 2Jerso7ial. " To us it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven ;" whilst the great mass of mankind are yet lying in heathen darkness, without so much as one ray of light to guide them into the way of peace. I may add, too, that a faithful ministration of the Gospel is no small mercy, of which millions of those who possess the Christian Scriptures are yet destitute. But what, if we can say that our eyes have been opened to behold the truth, and our hearts opened to embrace it ? What, if we can say that we have been " quickened from our death in trespasses and sins ;" and that we have been enabled to give up ourselves to Christ, as his stated and avowed followers? What, if we have a good hope that " our names are written in heaven ;" and that we have been " begotten again to an inheritance that is incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us?" Have not we reason to bless our God?
Then, as to the freeness of these gifts ; what have we ever done to merit them ? Must we not acknowledge, in reference
^' John XV. 16.
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to every one of them, that God has prevented us with the blessings of his goodness ? and that, in reference to them all, " He was found of them that sought him not, and made known to them that inquired not after him*^ ?"
Know ye then, brethren, that as to the external ministration of the Gospel, it is what " ye have freely received ;" and if ye have been made partakers of ari inward experience ofitspotver, for that also ye are altogether indebted to the free and sove- reign grace of God.]
Let us, then, proceed to consider, II. The obligation which he has thereby entailed upon us —
The Apostles received not their gifts for themselves only, but for the good of others : and in like manner must we consider the benefits which we have received, as talents to be improved by us for the honour of our God, and the welfare of our fellow-creatures. This is true, even in relation to our faculties, our property, our influence in the world ; but much more is it true in reference to the possession of divine knowledge, which is so distinguishing a mercy, and of such infinite importance to every child of man. To all, then, I say, " Freely give ;" for,