CHRIST JESUS the LORD Confidered as The inexhaustible MATTER of GOSPEL-PREACHING. IN A SERMON At the ORDINATION of the Re May 29. 1740. BOD By JAMES FISHER Minister of the Gospel ar Entred in Stationers-Hall. EDINBURGH, Printed for DAVID DUNCAN, and fold at his 2 COR. iv. 5. For we preach not ourselves, but Chrift Fefus the Lord, and ourfelves your Servants for Fefus Sake. I N this Epiftle the Apoftle vindicates himself from the Calumnies and Afperfions of the falfe Teachers of these Times, not only in afferting the Validity of his Miffion to the holy Ministry, which fome of them feemed to question, but alfo in affirming that he difcharged his paftoral Office from a fincere Regard to the real Edification of loft Sinners, and not from any selfish View, or carnal Biafs whatever, as you may fee in the Words of our Reading: For we preach not ourselves, but Chrift Fefus the Lord, &c. In which Words you may, notice, ft. The Duty of Gospel Minifters; it is to preach (we preach) the Word fignifies, to proclaim or publish a Thing with a loud and audible Voice, that all may hear, in Allufion to Cryers or Heraulds, who pubA 2 lif lifh the Edicts of Magiftrates. Minifters indeed are, by their Office, Cryers or Heraulds, not to proclaim the Edicts and Commands of earthly Princes, but to lift up their Voice like a Trumpet, in declaring the whole Council of God. 2dly. You have the Subject, or the Matter of Gofpel-Preaching, exprefled negatively; it is not ourselves, but it is, or ought to be, Chrift Jefus the Lord. Under thefe Names, here given to the glorious Redeemer, is comprehended the whole Matter of Gofpel-Preaching. Chrift fignifies Anointed, and under this Name are included all the Do&rines relating to his eternal Defignation and Appointment to the Office of Mediator, and the unmeafurable Communication of the Spirit to him, for the Discharge of his mediatory Offices. Jefus fignifies a Saviour, and under this Name are contained all the Doctrines relating to his wonderful Incarnation, his exemplary Life, and meritorious Death; or all the Truths that are comprehended under the Impetration or Purchase of our Redemption, the Honour of all the divine Attributes manifested thereby, together with the Circumftances of the Perfons whom he came to fave. Again, the fame glorious Perfon is to be preached as he is the Lord, which takes in all the Doctrines pertaining to his Exaltation, his fupreme Headship over |