world. Other religious teachers and reformers had instructed orally, but it was in schools and groves, a select number, and for a limited time. Jesus was the teacher of man. He addressed himself to the multitude. He adapted himself to every condition and character. He spoke as the reformer, the leader, the friend, of the human race; and his "gracious words" went forth throughout the whole mass of society, and changed the moral complexion of the world. His miracles indeed gave authority to his doctrine; but it was his doctrine which wrought the change. His supernatural powers converted men to the faith that he was from God; but it was his preaching which converted them from sin. And in that effect of his preaching, we perceive as distinctly the agency of God, as in his raising the dead to life. That his command should call Lazarus from the tomb, and that preaching should reform the religions of the civilized world, are equally striking demonstrations of the presence and power of God; for they are alike vast effects from apparently inadequate causes. A poor uninstructed peasant, by labouring for three years, in the most despised corner of the most despised nation on earth, whose whole territory is but a speck on the map of the world-laid the foundation of a work which was to survive the changes of empire, and the ruins of the philosophies and religions of man. And this, without seeming to make provision by any means adequate to such an effect. Other teachers have committed their wisdom to writing, lest, being entrusted to words, which are but breath, it should be dispersed and lost. But Jesus confided in the divine energy of his doctrine; and, with an unconcern truly sublime, cast it abroad to make its own way and perpetuate its own existence-sufficient proof that he knew it to be from God. So it has proved. Human instructors and reformers have elaborately wrought

out their systems; have sometimes clothed them in eloquence which seemed little less than inspiration, and promised perpetual continuance to their influence over man. Yet how small and short has that influence proved! How have their sects disappeared; and by how very few are their works even read, though still accounted among the perfect productions of the human mind! While Jesus, uninstructed in human philosophy, with no attainments in the elegant learning of the world, teaching but for three years, and putting not a syllable upon record-has yet made his instructions as familiar to the nations as their own native tongues-has bestowed on the humblest of his followers a wisdom superior to that of the Grecian masters themselves-nay, has affected the whole mass, both of sentiment and character, throughout the whole, as those great and laborious. and long lived men were able to affect only a few familiar friends within the privileged sphere of their own personal influence.

By what means was this done? It was through the institution of preaching. He sent forth his followers to do as he had done,-to spread and transmit his religion by personal intercourse with men-to talk with them of God and their souls as a man talks with his friend-to come near to their understandings and hearts by address in familiar speech, by thrilling tones of voice, by earnest gesture, by the appealing eye and the eloquent countenance by that living and breathing instrument of communication which God has made, as much more powerful than the dumb register of written words, as the creation of God is higher than the invention of man.

They thus went abroad, miracles attesting their commission, but with no learning or accomplishments beyond what their Master had given them, with the simple but sincere and pathetic history of his life and teach

ing; and the temples of false religion, the altars of pagan idolatry, the immoralities of heathen superstition. vanished before them, and the holy church rose upon their ruins. By the same means it has been perpetuated from age to age. And the efficiency of this instrument has perhaps in no way been more distinctly manifested, than in the fact, that the religion itself has varied and changed with the character and fidelity of its teachers, has risen and declined with their rise and fall, and has from no cause suffered so much as from those who rose to power and exercised dominion, but would not impart instruction; became bishops and popes, but would not preach; and has been recovered by those who have devoted themselves with zeal to the persevering preaching of the word. The press indeed aided and established the Reformation; but it was the preachers of the Reformation who animated and instructed the press; and if these living oracles should become dumb, even the omnipotence of the press would not be able to withstand the rapid and sad decline of religious knowledge, and its moral influence.

Observe, then, my brother, the dignity of your vocation. Consider to what a glorious company you are this day joined; what a mighty instrument it is given you to wield, and what an unspeakable honour is yours to be joined with Christ and his apostles in the sublime work of the spiritual emancipation of man. God give you strength to do as they did, and honour you with large success!

4. Another of the means to be named in which the pastor and his people are to co-operate, is the observance of the Ordinances of our faith. No system of religion can extensively prevail, which is not aided by its hold on the inferior nature of man. The purely

spiritual, addressed to a being not purely spiritual, will seldom find access except by external accompaniments, which are more needful to some minds, but in some measure are needful to all. And it is observable respecting the ordinances of the Gospel, that besides the ordinary efficacy attributable to stated rites, they have the weight of an historical testimony to the truth of the religion itself: they are in the nature of monuments erected to the memory of its early facts, to which the very circumstance of their existence is incontrovertible evidence. They are perpetual vouchers for the truth of our religion; and by discontinuing them, you silence the venerable witnesses, which have existed from the day of our Lord, bearing testimony through all the ages. You hide from the world certain striking objects, peculiarly adapted to attract regard, to fix the inquiring attention, and prevent Christianity from being lost to the notice of

man.

But beyond this general importance, is to be considered their value to the faith and comfort of believers. They revive in their minds, and keep fresh, the sense of their connexion with Christ, and their obligation to the truth. By simple, but affectionate and tender, appeals to their hearts, they increase their love, strengthen their faith, quicken their devotion, animate their obedience. They bring nearer to them a sense of that inestimable love which passes knowledge, and work in them a powerful admiration, and diligent imitation, of their holy and honoured Lord. No sincere and grateful believer can sincerely and gratefully offer himself or his child at the baptismal font, or sit down with brethren at the memorial of his Master's love, without acknowledging an increase, or at least a confirmation, of the power of religion. No such one can neglect it, after once tasting its satisfactions, without experiencing a

decay of his interest in religion, and an unsatisfied thirst for the appropriate sustenance of his soul.

II. Having thus spoken, as far as the occasion demands, of the means by which we are to promote the free course of the Gospel, we proceed to the other part of our text, and inquire how we may cause it to be glorified. This is not a distinction without a difference; since that may be upheld by powerful institutions, and extensively prevail, which yet is not an object of reasonable reverence and admiration. And the friends of Christianity have done but a part of their duty when they have laboured for its diffusion, if they have not also secured for it the homage, respect, and love, which are its due.

That it rightfully challenges the submission and trust of man, as being in itself essentially and unspeakably glorious, is beyond controversy. Yet in order to be discerned as such, it must be seen as it is, in its own beautiful features, and native unmixed excellence. it came from its Author and was displayed in his life, none have ever been able to regard it with contempt or indifference.* The eloquent tongue of infidelity itself like that of the reluctant demons of old, has been compelled to utter its eulogy and bear witness to its heavenly name. But it might be veiled under such disguises, mingled with such crude and false philosophy, encumbered with such unnecessary appendages, and so implicated with the weakness and vices of its professed advocates, as to render it repulsive rather than glorious, and procure it enemies instead of friends.

They who are set for the defence of the Gospel must remember this, and be earnest to advance such a faithful representation of its doctrines, that even gainsayers · shall acknowledge that "God is in them of a truth."

See remarkable confession of Rousseau.