send them in his name, they are yet greatly inferior to him in dignity and station. Thus it is with Christ and his ministers. He condescends to employ his subjects as His ambassadors. But who can attempt to describe the distance between them? "He charges even His angels with folly: how much more men who drink in iniquity like water!" In condescending to employ them, He confers on them the highest honour, and invests them with an office to which they have naturally no pretensions.

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Ambassadors are also usually inferior to those to whom they are sent. In rank and station, in abilities and acquirements, they may be greatly below them. Thus it often is with the ambassadors of Christ. Sinners themselves, they have no natural superiority over the sinners to whom they are sent. many respects they are, and in many respects they feel themselves to be, greatly below them. Men of like passions with others, they claim no honour on their own account : all their honour they derive from their office, and from the fidelity and diligence with which they discharge it. For themselves, they are content to be the ministers of all, the servants of all. They desire not to lord it over the consciences of others: they would only be helpers of their joy, and furtherers of their salvation. At the same time, they

would magnify their office and exalt their heavenly Master, in whose name they come. They are willing that the light be in an earthen vessel, so that the excellency of the power may appear to be of Him. They are willing to feel and admit their own insufficiency for the great work to which they are called, so that their sufficiency may be seen. to be from Him.

Ambassadors are also required to be faithful to him who employs them. If they are unfaithful, they are the worst of traitors. If they neglect their Master's cause, if they injure it, if they betray it, they will have far more to answer for than others. In proportion to the office which they bear, to the confidence placed in them, to the honour conferred on them, are their accountableness and responsibility. Much is given to them, and therefore much will be required of them.

These remarks may serve to explain the office of Ministers, insomuch as they are "Ambassadors for Christ." I point out,

II. The Object, which they have in view. This, we learn from the text, is to prevail with men to be reconciled to God. "We pray you in Christ's stead, Be ye reconciled to God." Reconciliation presupposes a state of previous enmity. When two parties are said to be reconciled, we understand that there has been a difference between them.

Now indeed they are friends, and have made peace; but once they were enemies, and at variance with each other. Such is naturally the state of God and men. God cannot look on men with pleasure, for they are wilful transgressors of his law, and rebels against his government. Men do not look to God with pleasure; for they hate his law and his government. God is bound by his own perfections to punish men for their evil ways; and men have no inclination to forsake those ways, and to follow after holiness. There must of necessity then be a variance between God and men and consequently, if things continue in this state, men in the end must be miserable. For who can have God for an enemy, and not in the end be miserable? But the Almighty is rich in mercy and of tender compassion. He pities his poor, fallen, guilty creatures, and does not wish their destruction. From love to their souls He has opened for them a way of escape and deliverance. He has provided a satisfaction to his own justice and holiness, even the sufferings and death of his only begotten Son and in consideration of this sacrifice He declares Himself reconciled to man. "He is in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." No longer feeling Himself obliged to exact punishment of the sinner, having

already exacted it of his surety, He is ready to receive into favour every sinner who will accept of his mercy, and will comply with the terms proposed to him. These terms are revealed in the Gospel. There the Almighty has published the glad tidings of his great Salvation. There hath "He proclaimed liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prisons to them that are bound." There hath He declared that whosoever believeth in his Son Jesus Christ, shall be saved; that whosoever, renouncing his sins, and forsaking his evil ways, takes this Saviour for his own and only Saviour, trusts in His promises and obeys His word, shall receive remission of sins, and shall have everlasting life.

Here then we see, what is the Object which the Ministers of Christ have in view. They come in His name, not to reveal new truths, but to call men's attention to the truths already revealed. They come in Christ's stead, not to propose new terms of peace, but to induce men to comply with the terms already proposed. They come with the desire and endeavour of prevailing with sinners to be reconciled to God in the way which he has disclosed; to lay aside their enmity and opposition to His Holy Will and Service; to forsake their sins; to believe in Jesus Christ; and thus to make

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their peace with God, who hath laid aside His enmity, and hath shewn Himself so ready to make peace with them.

Let us consider,

III. The Way, in which the Ministers of Christ must seek to attain this object. "As though Christ did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead." They come in the name of Christ; and so far they come with authority. But they do not come with any power to force the wills, or to compel the consent of men. The only compulsion which they use is that of argument and persuasion, of entreaty and solicitation. These are the weapons of their warfare. These are the means by which they are to compel men to come in. The servant of the Lord, (says the Apostle) must not strive but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." Thus we find the same Apostle conducting his own ministry, saying to the Thessalonians, "We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children." And in many parts of his writings we perceive the same spirit displaying itself. We perceive Him praying in Christ's stead and beseeching in His name. In pointing out indeed this way as that in

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