Sermons on various topics of doctrine, practice, and experience

We are taught, in these few, but emphatic words, what is the proper character of the gospel,-the revelation of God in Christ. O that all they, to whom the joyful sound of it is addressed, did but so appreciate it! It is a glorious gospel; the glory of God himself: and that, especially, in his character as "the blessed God." It has the glorious impress of his blessedness upon it: not only manifesting it, in the discovery which it makes of his infinite and harmonious excellencies, but communicating that blessedness; making all who receive it "6 partakers of the divine nature," in holiness and happiness. It is "the gospel of the glory of the blessed God." (Tò svayyédiov The δόξης του μακαρίου Θεοῦ.)

Alas! my brethren, who, that judged of it by

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the reception which it meets with, at the hands of men, would so account of it? Do most of those who hear it, and profess, as Christians, to receive it, see any glory in it, the glory of God? Do they prize it, as a thing unspeakably precious, and exult in it, and live upon it, as their bliss? Far otherwise. "To the Jew," (the selfrighteous, self-sufficient religionist,) it is " а stumbling-block:""To the Greek," (the philosophizing, vain-glorious disputer, and reasoner of this world,) it is "foolishness;" while the great mass of professors, the carnally-minded, the covetous, the lovers of wealth, and ease, and pleasure, and distinction, more than lovers of God, reject it with ill-concealed disgust, as altogether opposed to their happiness. They hold the form of it, but deny the power of it. They know not its proper character: see nothing in it of blessedness: nothing in it of suitableness to their condition; nothing in it of immeasurable love of God our Saviour towards wretched men. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God." "We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom. . . . which none of the princes of this world knew; for, had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath pre

pared for them that love him." (1 Cor. ii. 14, 7--9.)

Now, to all such, (and many there are, of this character, in every congregation,) the words of my text suggest matter of very solemn consideration. Here you see, what God thinks of the gospel what saints think of it, who know and speak of it from experience. It has a glory, in their eyes, which no tongue of man can express, no heart of man conceive. It is "the gospel of the glory of the blessed God." Herein are "the riches of God's glory" exhibited, yea, and communicated, freely, to destitute, ruined men.

My brethren, consider with yourselves, Is this your estimate of the gospel? the language and feeling of your heart, in respect of it? Is the gospel a precious thing, an all-glorious thing, in your eyes? Do you see God, therein, as blessed in himself, and yourselves blessed in the enjoyment of him? And is God, as the author of this gospel, receiving, as is his due from you, all blessing and praise, for the wonders of redemption made known in it? O then, God the Spirit has shown you what the gospel is. All who are taught of him find an echo, in their hearts, to this language of the apostle in my text. But, if not, then consider, your profession of it is vain indeed; your condition terrible for, "if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in

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