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النشر الإلكتروني

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DISCOURSE V.

THE WORK OF PROMOTING THE GOSPEL A PRIVILEGE TO THE CHURCH.

Eph. iii. 8.

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."

THE Apostle Paul had been designated by his heavenly Father to the arduous and then dangerous service of "preaching among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." So far was he however from repining at his lot, that he seems to have been deeply and habitually impressed, with the greatness of the favor which had been in mercy granted him. "Unto me-who am less than the least of all saints -is this GRACE given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." But if Paul had reason for joy and gratitude, that God was pleased to employ him in promoting and extending his holy kingdom; then all Christians, and all men, have reason for gratitude, that God has something for them to do in the same important work.

In pursuing the thought thus suggested by the text, I shall endeavour to show,

I. That in extending his holy kingdom, God is pleased to employ the instrumentality of men. And,

II. That this feature of his administration should be to them matter of devout thankfulness.

In promoting his cause and kingdom on earth, God works by his own agency. Whoever may plant, and whoever may water, he "giveth the increase." Accordingly the Apostle declares to the newly established Churches among the heathen, "Ye are God's husbandry; ye are God's building." He has seen fit however, in carrying forward this work, to admit the co-operation of his creatures. He has seen fit to employ the instrumentality of angels. These, he has informed us, are his "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." He has also been pleased to employ the agency of men. It was through the instrumentality of men, that the true religion was sustained and promoted under the former dispensation. Patriarchs, priests, and prophets were raised up, to inculcate its truths, and impress its duties, on those around them. It was by the instrumentality of men, that religion was so powerfully revived and so widely diffused, in the early days of the Christian Church. The Apostles and their fellow laborers "went forth every where, preaching the word.” It is by the instrumentality of men, that the same religion is supported and propagated now. Laborers of our own species are raised up and sent forth into the great spiritual harvest, to feed the Church of the living God, and extend the borders of their Redeemer's Kingdom. And it is by the same kind of instrumentality, that the religion of the gospel will ultimately spread throughout the earth. Spiritual laborers will continue to go forth, in greater and still greater abundance, carrying with them "the sword of the spirit which is the word of God," and enlarging the empire of the Prince of peace, till the last abode of sin and darkness shall be irradiated with the light of

truth, and the last victory over the grand enemy of God and man shall be achieved.

Men may be instrumental of extending the gospel in a variety of ways. They may do this, by their fervent and persevering prayers. They may do it, by a correspondent life of sacrifices and exertions. They may do it also, as multitudes already have done it, and as other multitudes doubtless will, by going forth as actual laborers to the mission field.

It may probably have been ground of complaint with some, that in carrying into effect the purposes of his grace God should make so large demands upon the worldly comforts and the exertions of his friends. "Could he not have executed his designs without them? Can he not with a word fill the earth with Bibles and teachers, and bring all the heathen to the knowledge of the truth? Can he not very well relieve his friends from their present burthens, and accomplish his promises without their aid " ?—In reply to inquiries such as these I design to shew, not that God has a right to the services of his people, and that when he requires their services, they can have no reason to complain; but that it is a privilege and a blessing that he does require them. It will be my endeavour to shew,

II. That it should be to us matter of devout thankfulness, that in carrying forward his holy cause, God is pleased to employ the instrumentality of men. And this will be evident, if we consider,

1. That it is a great honor to us to be employed, as we are required to be, in this work. In all our exertions and sacrifices for the spread of the gospel, we are associated in labor with the angels of light. We are pursuing with them the same noble objects, and looking forward to the same glorious results.

We are doing what we can in our humbler sphere to give success to their high and holy ministry among men. And not only so, we are associated in labor with the great God himself. Thus it was said of the Apostles, that they went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them." In their various trials and exertions also, they could comfort themselves by reflecting, "We are laborers together with God."-Angels may well consider it an honor and a privilege, to be associated in employment with the Infinite Mind. Much more then may we consider it an honor and a privilege, to be thus associated with this great Spirit, and with angels too. What are we, odious, guilty, miserable creatures, that we should be received into this high and holy fellowship, not only with the angels of light, but with Father, Son, and Holy Ghost-and should be admitted, as "workers together with them," in promoting the same glorious object and kingdom?

2. The people of God should be thankful for their appointed work, because by means of it they may be kept from such things as would injure them.-They may be kept from spiritual sloth. It is not less true in the spiritual than in the natural world, that "drowsiness will clothe a man with rags." There is scarcely a situation in which the Christian can be placed, where he will be likely to suffer more, than under the chilling, stupifying influence of sloth. It should be matter of thankfulness with him therefore that his heavenly Father is kindly affording him a preservative from so fatal an evil-that he is making 'him acquainted with the purposes of his love, and exciting him to arouse his dormant energies and co-operate in carrying them into full effect.-And the christian may be saved by the same means not only

from sloth, but from low, unworthy, and sinful pursuits. By being continually occupied in the service of God, he may be delivered from the service and the snares of the Destroyer. He may be delivered from an inordinate and vicious thirst after the honors, pleasures, and vanities of this fleeting life. It is doubtless a privilege to the christian to be kept from such things. And bow can he better be kept from them, than by having the cause of the Redeemer, and the noble work of spreading his gospel, lying constantly on his hands?

3. It should be matter of thankfulness to Christians, that they have an important service assigned them by their heavenly Father, because, by means of it, their best affections may be brought into lively and rigorous exercise.-While laboring for Christ, they will naturally contemplate his labors and sufferings for them; and their hearts will rise in devotion and melt in gratitude towards him. While they are "workers together with" their heavenly Father, and walk hand in hand with him in accomplishing his designs of mercy and promoting his holy cause and kingdom; they will be growing daily in a love of his character, and their communion with him will be intimate and sweet. While they are associated with saints and angels in advancing the same benev olent object and work; they experience in their hearts a constantly increasing affection towards all holy beings, and feel more and more the bonds of that sacred and joyful union which is to exist forever. While they are studying the wants of their perishing fellow men, and endeavoring to feed them with the bread of life; the reigning power of self is breaking down within them, and a rich and impartial benevo lence is becoming established in their souls. And

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