set forth " the Holy Ghost," as the enlightener, comforter, and saiictifier of God's elect.
They were to baptize their converts in the name of the sacred Three. Having proselyted men to the Christian faith, they were to initiate them into covenant with God by baptism. But though they first taught adults, and then baptized them, they reversed this order with respect to infants. They took care, however, that in all cases the doctrine they preached should be recorded in the baptismal rite; and that every Chris- tian should either expressly or virtually acknowledge it.
They were also to instruct their hearers iyi practical religion. It is evident they were not to be merely moral preachers. They must of necessity insist much on the offices of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; but they were also to inculcate every moral duty, and to enforce every obligation, whether toward God or man.]
II. This commission being so arduous, he added a
promise for their encouragement —
[The Apostles might well have been discouraged from attempting to execute so difficult a service. They were, in themselves, poor, mean, and illiterate : they had to propa- gate principles new, strange, detested : they had to oppose the lusts and prejudices of mankind : they had to bring men from sin to a life of holiness and self-denial ; and this, not only without human aid, but in opposition to all the power and policy of the world. They could not therefore but feel them- selves unfit for such a task : but our Lord gave them a most encouraging promise. When Moses declined the service to which he was called, God promised to be with him'': thus Christ engaged to succour his Disciples in their work. He assured them of his presence to direct, assist, and uphold them ; and to give effect to their labours. To this promise he called their particular attention, " lo!" nor will he fail to accomplish it to the end of the world. Nor was the affirmation added to it without peculiar energy. " Amen" may be considered as an affirmation or a petition : in either view it should not be over- looked. The promise it confirms, was the solace of all the Apostles ; and has been the support of all succeeding pastors. Let every one then add " Amen," as importing both his wish and affiance.]
Let us now mark,
III. The bearing which this commission has on us at the present day —
The Apostles were inspired of God to declare what
^ Exod. iv. 15.
1415.] THE apostles' COMMISSION. 619
no uninspired man could know ; and were empowered by God to work miracles in confirmation of their word. In these respects ministers of the present day cannot for a moment be considered as on a par with them. But, so far as regards the message which we are to deliver.
We have the very same commission with them —
[The Lard Jesus Christ has had, in uninterrupted succes- sion, servants to make known his name to all the different gene- rations from the apostohc age to the present day : and all who have been called by him to the work of the ministry, have had
the same message to deliver'' In particular, we are to
make known the offices of the sacred Three in the economy of redemption ; setting forth the Father as the Fountain from whence it flows: (for it was from the love he bare to man that he gave us his only dear Son to save us^:) and exhibiting his Son, his co-equal, co-eternal Son, as our Mediator, through whose obedience unto death our peace with God is obtained : and setting forth the Holy Ghost as the Agent, who applies to our souls all the blessings which Christ has purchased for us. This mystery, I say, we are to unfold with all possible clearness and energy : and we must insist upon it as the only foundation