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vi

gencies of the case, and that much remains to be done before we can assure ourselves that

the Gospel is fully received at home and abroad. It is hoped that the following appeal,

as far as it may be heard, will not be heard in vain.

viii

Page

CHAP. V. The means of prosecuting the Christian

Mission with advantage at home and abroad 63

CHAP. VI.—The duty of promoting the Christian Mission; enjoined us by our Saviour, and strengthened by the motives of love to God, gratitude, compassion, justice, consistency, certainty of success, and its attendant blessings.....

CHAP. VII.—The peril of neglecting, and the

encouragement to prosecute the Christian
Mission...

88

111

THE

CHRISTIAN

MISSION.

CHAP. I.

The Christian mission entrusted by our Saviour to each of his disciples; its object, the extension of God's spiritual kingdom; its great importance in the sight of the Most High; commencing with personal piety, and embracing in its influence the whole world; opposed by Satan and neglected by man.

THE days of creation succeeded each other with a rich manifestation of the power and goodness of God. The earth assumed the varied forms of hill and dale; the trees of the forest waved their majestic boughs, and the flowers glistened with the fresh dew; the sun and the moon, with all the glittering train of celestial orbs, shone brightly in the heavens; and an animated world of living creatures thronged the earth. In this paradise man, created in the moral image

of God, and endued with a superiority over the whole creation, was placed. But though surrounded with so many blessings, and so many inducements to obedience, he soon forfeited the favour of his Maker by bold transgression, and in his ruin involved the destinies of his countless children. However, neither he nor they were left to perish without remedy. A promise was given that the seed of the woman should bruise the head of the Serpent; and a scheme of redemption was provided by the mercy and wisdom of God, that should at once justify the sinner, and put honour upon the law of holiness. Sacrifice was appointed to teach men the evil of sin, and bid them look forward to the period foretold by the Jewish prophets, of the advent of the Messiah; and "when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." "But he was not only a Redeemer and Saviour by reason of the atonement he made for the sins of mankind; he was also a preacher of righteousness, explaining clearly the method of salvation, and in what true holiness consists. The atonement for the sins of mankind was made in one sacrifice, and was then completed; but the office of preaching righteousness still remained to be exercised till

* Gal. iv. 4.

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