tent fulfilment of the devotion of the Apostolic Church, with humble prayer and inquiry, they shall know the truth of God, "who resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble," and "light to them that sit in darkness, to guide their feet into the way of peace." APOSTOLICAL SUCCESSION OF THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. EPHESIANS IV. 11—14. "And he gave some, Apostles; and some, Prophets; and some, Evangelists; and some, Pastors and Teachers; for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." 1.-GENERAL RULE OF GOSPEL PREACHING. Ir is declared by the Apostle to be the duty of the Minister of Christ, "of the workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly to divide the word of truth," (2 Tim. ii. 15); to preach the Gospel of salvation according to the wants of his people; to minister neither to their carnal B or spiritual pride, nor to their prejudices and worldly policy, but to "preach Christ, the hope of glory, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that he may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (1 Col. i. 28.) Salvation through the Cross of Christ is eminently the subject of the Divine message to man, full remission of sins to the faithful and repentant; to those who, convinced of sin, see in Christ one mighty to save, "God manifest in the flesh," (1 Tim. iii. 16), to bear our sins in his own body on the tree." (1 Peter ii. 24); to those who are changed from death unto life, by renewal of heart, and justification wrought by the Holy Spirit through the Christian sacraments, faith, love, and obedience. The minister of Christ will determine to know nothing save Christ crucified. To those who are 66 enemies in their minds by wicked works," (Col. i. 21), he will declare remission of sins through the blood of Christ, by whom "we have access to the Father," (Eph. ii. 18), who hath reconciled us unto Himself by Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. v. 18.) In Christ Jesus he will preach love infinite abounding to mankind, to their redemption, sanctification, and justification; and all of grace, not of works, given freely to all who in faith come to Christ as the Author of eternal life. 2. TRUTHS OF THE GOSPEL GLORIFY CHRIST, AND ARE MEANS OF GRACE. The plan of salvation is the full disclosure of the glory of the Son of God. The part of man is to receive the riches of salvation, and glorify its Divine Author. In the whole economy of the Gospel, there is no single truth, institution, or precept which tends not to magnify the glory of Christ by evincing his love to man in the provisions for his redemption, the saving effects of which provisions are in all cases exclusively of grace, the work of the Holy Spirit. To divide, then, the word of God, is to apply the infinite sufficiency of Christ to all our spiritual needs. Whatever our necessity may be, there is the same Giver of all grace to apply to for spiritual aid; and in the Gospel teaching and institutions are full means of grace for the fulfilment of all righteousness, that "we may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." (Col. iv. 12.) Here, then, are two marks of the doctrines and institutions of the Gospel,-marks which are proved by the infinite majesty of the Son of God,-1st, That it glorify Christ; 2nd, That it is a provision for man's salvation effective only by grace. There are no vain speculations nor useless |