nally contribute to its intended establishment and influence throughout the globe...

To carry this grand device into gradual execution, is the appropriate business of public Christian instructors. They are to expound, confirm, and apply that great mystery," which was early conceived and wrapped up in the purpose of God, but which the Son of his bosom has fully declared. They should unfold this ancient and divine secret in terms so plain, that all men, even the lowest, may see it, or obtain such knowledge of it as may guide and mould their affections and practice. They should guard against that intellectual vanity or refinement, which would destroy the simplicity, the majesty, and force of sacred truth, by artificial ornament, or abstruse speculation. They should aim, like our apostle, not so much to please the elegant, the metaphysical, or the scientific few, as to impart saving instruction to all. To accomplish this effect, to convey the doctrines of salvation into every understanding and heart, the preacher must unite perspicuity and energy. A mind richly stored with evangelical knowledge and goodness, must infuse light and warmth into his discourses; while his corresponding example must render them doubly luminous and impressive. As the gospel is intended to unite all men in holy "fellowship," its ministers should adjust their preaching and conduct to this design. They should point the attention of their hearers to those great truths and duties, which form the centre of Christian union. A zealous and joint attachment to these should temper or extinguish that fire of controversy, which divided sentiments and jealous feelings about small or doubtful matters have so often inflamed. It ill becomes the ministers of Christ to rend asunder his mystical body, by substituting the narrow

It ill

zeal of a party, in the room of that comprehensive spirit, which unites men to God, and to one another. becomes them to contend, even for essential truth, in a manner unfavourable to Christian love, and its practical fruits; for such contention injures both the credit and moral influence of truth: it disfigures and endangers the gospel church, even by those very doctrines, which, rightly entertained, constitute her principal strength and beauty. It is by "speaking the truth in love," and by carrying it out into a holy temper and practice, that Christians are to grow up into one compact, flourishing, and glorious community.

Let us, then, to whom the dispensation of the gospel is committed, strive, by our doctrine and spirit, by our united exertions and prayers, to make it productive of these blessed effects. As stars in the firmament of Zion, let us diffuse the light of evangelical truth, not only to the best advantage, but to the widest extent. Let our fervent intercessions and labours never rest, "till all men," even the remotest climes, are brought into the Christian "fellowship;" till the whole earth is filled with divine glory and human bliss. Nay, more; let our benevolent views expand even beyond the limits of our species and world. For,

II. The Christian religion and ministry were designed for the benefit of "principalities and powers in heavenly places." The gospel church and its sacred institutions are mirrors, which exhibit to superior intelligences, "the manifold wisdom of God." That man is but a link in one mighty chain of being; that there is a connexion or mutual subserviency between him and higher orders of creatures, analogous to the union, which per-. vades the visible system, is a sentiment congruous to reason, and established by revelation. Both the Old and

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New Testament introduce various ranks and countless multitudes of celestial spirits, as deeply concerned in the affairs of our world, especially those, which relate to the church. By this intercourse they at once greatly contribute to the common good, and receive vast additions of personal happiness. While their benevolent agency in the Messiah's kingdom is an immediate source of sublime and increasing delight; it is attended with new, progressive and beatific discoveries of the divine glory. To search out, to adore, and to enjoy the perfections of God in his works, is their unceasing employment and felicity. The redemption of man, in all its connexions, at once exceeds, illustrates, and unites in one perfect whole, the preceding and concurrent operations of Deity. It gives to admiring angels an exhibition of his character, more diversified, harmonious, and complete, than the volumes of nature and providence had ever suggested. With what high improvement and satisfaction must superior beings behold and enjoy this manifestation! The "manifold wisdom," presented in it, must eminently seize their attention, enlarge their knowledge, and exalt their devotion. How wonderful must appear that contrivance, which renders this little globe so important to the beauty, variety, and happiness of the universe; which forces even human rebellion and ruin to swell the triumph of order, rectitude, and bliss! How comprehensive that wisdom, which has erected so many different theatres for the display of divine glory; which has adopted one form of administration for the sinless natives of heaven, another for its apostate citizens, a third for disobedient man; and which has so combined these diversities, as to make them jointly conduce to ultimate and general good! How profound that intelligence, which, by subjecting the Lord of angels to abasement and

death, not for their guilty brethren, but for a lower or der of sinners, is effectually repairing the loss of the former, by the restored virtue and felicity of the latter; and which, by this expedient, has provided for the incorporation of redeemed men and angelic beings in one confirmed and glorious community!

It is important to add, that these heavenly spirits derive their knowledge of this "manifold wisdom" chiefly from the gospel dispensation. It was, in a great degree, veiled even from them, till it was revealed to the apostles, and by their preaching imparted to the world. These invisible ministers of Christ and his church gained a clear insight into this mystery, by witnessing his life and death, his resurrection and ascension; by seeing ancient types and prophecies fulfilled and illuminated by these events; by hearing the import of these facts explained by authorized Christian teachers; and by observing their transcendent and divine effects on the human character and condition. These sources of infor mation reflected new lustre on the several dispensations of God to mankind. They exhibited the whole train of divine conduct from Adam to Christ, as one harmonious, yet diversified system, leading by the nicest and sûrest steps to a glorious consummation. While they elucidated the manifold wisdom of God in his former proceedings, they especially unfolded his deep and benevolent design in so long deferring a clear and general discovery of his mercy. Wise and good spirits, both on earth and in heaven, now see with delight the beauty of this arrangement. They see, that in this way the world was trained up by gentle degrees for this sublime revelation; that it receives solemn attestation and dignity from a long and vast apparatus, going before and terminating in it; that a full experiment had been made of

human philosophy and government, of natural theology and virtue; that Christ did not appear till the pure religion and morals, taught in the first ages, were lost beyond hope of recovery; nor, until the union, peace, and learning of the world had opened a door for the easy and general diffusion of his gospel; in short, that he came at the precise period, when the political, moral, and religious state of the globe invited, yea, cried aloud for a gracious, supernatural, and universal dispensation. They also behold this merciful religion wisely adapted to all the exigences of those to whom it is offered. Fired with these discoveries, the holy and benevolent angels fervently sing, in concert with the redeemed, the new song of the Lamb; "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." Yea, so immense is the sum of glory to God, and of happiness to the moral creation, arising from the work and the knowledge of human redemption, that every creature in the universe is introduced, as joining the concert of praise, and saying, "Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him, that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever."

Our subject in review furnishes a satisfactory reply to a frequent suggestion either of humble diffidence, or of cavilling infidelity. The lowly and fearful mind is sometimes ready to view the gospel as incredible, because it unfolds riches of condescending love so great and wonderful, as to confound rather than encourage belief, especially when contrasted with the mean and illdeserving character of their object. The sceptical philosopher is likewise apt to view it, as a strong objection to Christianity, that it exhibits the Deity lavishing his best treasures on our inconsiderable world, which is