LXXIII.

to God in his name and mediation. But if we willSERM. chuse other mediators for ourselves, of whom we are not sure that they can either hear or help us, we may fall short of that salvation, which the apoftle tells us we are secure of by the mediation of JESUS CHRIST; "for he is able," &c.

But this hath been shewn so abundantly in the former part of this discourse, and is so clearly consequent from the whole, that I shall here conclude my discourse upon the second proposition I laid down from the words of my text, viz. that there is but one mediator between Gop and men, the man CHRIST JESUS,

As to the third propofition contained in the text, viz. that this one mediator, JESUS CHRIST, gave himself a ransom for all, I have treated on that fubject particularly, on another * occafion.

* A Ser

the facri

And as to the fourth and last proposition, viz. mon conthat the mediation or interceffion of JESUS CHRIST cerning is founded in his redemption of mankind; and be-fice and cause he gave himself a ransom for all, therefore he fatisfacand he only is qualified to intercede for all men, in Christ. virtue of that facrifice which he offered for the fal- Printed in 1693.

vation of mankind, I judge nothing more needful to be added, to what has fallen in concerning that subject, in my handling the second proposition, in this and the two former sermons.

tion of

SER

Preached on afcenfion day.

SERMON LXXIV.

The general and effectual publication of the gofpel by the apoftles.

:

MARK XVI. 19. 20.

So then after the LORD had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and fat on the right hand of GOD. And they went forth, and preached every where, the LORD working with them, and confirming the word with figns following.

SERM. IN these words you have these two great points

LXXIV.

of chriftian doctrine.

1. Our SAVIOUR's ascension into heaven, and exhe was received

altation at the right hand of GOD;

up into heaven, and fat on the right hand of "God."

II. The effect or confequence of his afcenfion and exaltation, which was the general and effectual publication of the gofpel; "they went forth, and preached

66

every where, the LORD working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." And both these are very proper for this day, but I shall at this time handle the latter point, namely, the effect or consequence of our SAVIOUR's afcenfion into heaven, and exaltation at the right hand of GOD;

66

they went forth, and preached every where, the " LORD working with them, and confirming the " word with signs following."

And

And these words contain two things in them.
I. The general publication of the gospel, by the

66

apostles; they went forth and preached every "where."

II. The reason of the great efficacy and success of it; namely, the divine and miraculous power, which accompanied the preaching of it; "the LORD "wrought with them, and confirmed the word " with signs following."

I. The general publication of the gofpel by the apostles; "they went forth, and preached every "where." And indeed the industry of the apostles, and the other disciples, in publishing the gospel, was almost incredible. What pains did they take? what hazards did they run? what difficulties and discouragements did they contend withal in this work? and yet their success was greater than their industry, and beyond all human expectation: as will appear, if we consider these five things.

1. The vast spreading of the gospel in so short a space.

2. The wonderful power and efficacy of it, upon the lives and manners of men.

3. The weakness and meanness of the instruments that were employed in this great work.

4. The powerful oppofition that was raised against it.

5. The great discouragements to the embracing the profeffion of it. I shall speak briefly to each of these.

1. The vast spreading of the gospel in so short a fpace. This is represented, Rev. xiv. 6. by " an angel flying through the midst of heaven, and preaching the everlasting gospel to every nation, " and kindred, and tongue, and people." No sooner

was

SERM.
LXXIV.

SERM. was the doctrine of the christian religion published,

LXXIV.

and made known to the world, but it was readily embraced by great numbers, almost in all places where it came. And indeed so it was foretold, in the prophecies of the old testament, Gem xlix. 10. " That when Shiloh (that is the Messias) should

८८

come, to him should the gathering of the people "be:" and Isa. ii. 2. "That in the last days the "mountain of the LORD's house should be esta

1

" blished in the top of the mountains, and be ex"alted above the hills, and that all nations should " flow unto it." Ifa. lx. 8. the prophet speaking of mens ready fubmiffion to the gospel, and the great number of those that should come in upon the preaching of it, they are said, " to fly as a cloud, and as "the doves to the windows."

So quick and strange a progress did this new doctrine and religion make in the world, that in the space of about 30 years after our SAVIOUR's death, it was not only diffused through the greatest part of the Roman empire, but had reached as far as Parthia and India. In which we fee our SAVIOUR'S prediction fully verified, that before the destruction of Jerufalem, the gospel should be preached in all the world, Matt. xxiv. 14. "This gospel of the

66

kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a " witness unto all nations, and then shall the end " come." But this is not all: men were not only brought in to the profession of the gospel; but,

2. This doctrine had likewise a wonderful power and efficacy upon the lives and manners of men. The generality of those that entertained the gospel, were obedient to it in word and deed, as the apostle tells us, concerning the Gentiles that were converted to christianity, Rom. xv. 18. Upon the change of

LXXIV.

their religion, followed also the change of their man-SERM. ners, and of their former course of life. They that took upon them the profeffion of chriftianity, " did " thenceforth not walk as other Gentiles did, in the " lufts of the flesh, and according to the vicious "course of the world; but did put off concerning " their former conversation, the old man, which was

66

corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts; and were "renewed in the spirit of their mind, and did put on "the new man, which after God was created in

66

righteousness and true holiness." So strange an effect had the gospel upon the lives of the generality of the profeffors of it, that I remember Tertullian, in his apology to the Roman emperor and senate, challengeth them to instance in any one, that bore the title of Christian, that was condemned as a thief, or a murderer, or a facrilegious person, or that was guilty of any of those gross enormities, for which so many pagans were every day made examples of public justice, and punished and executed among them.

And this certainly was a very admirable and happy effect, which the gospel had upon men, to work fo great and fudden a change in the lives of those who entertained this doctrine, to take them quite off from those vicious practices which they had been brought up in, and accustomed to; to change their spirits, and the temper of their minds; and of lewd and difhoneft, to make them fober and just, and "hely in " all manner of conversation;" of proud and fierce, contentious and passionate, malicious and revengeful to make them humble and meek, kind and tenderhearted, peaceable and charitable.

And that the primitive Christians were generally good men, and of virtuous lives, is credible, because their religion did teach and oblige them to be fuch;