and that by his stripes they might be healed." The preacher would further declare, that this great work was now accomplished that Jesus, having been numbered with the transgiessors, and having poured out his soul unto death as an offering for sin, was now risen from the dead to reap the fruit of all his labours: that by the knowledge of himself he would now justify many, and in the redemption of innumerable souls from the bondage of sin and satan, he would see the travail of his soul, and would be satisfied: that by the preaching of the gospel, which was now commanded to be proclaimed to all people, remission of sins was freely offered in the name of Jesus to every sinner, who should believe in him, and accept the offers of this great salvation; while on the other hand, excessive and aggravated punishment would be the merited portion of all those, who should reject these offers, and by their sins and wilful impenitence should crucify the Son of God afresh.

Such, we may conclude, were the great and instructive truths, which Philip on this occasion explained and enforced. We know what was the result of his preaching. His words, being listened to with attention, were received with gladness, and were mixed with faith in the heart. The Ethiopian, believing with all his heart, that Jesus was the Son of God, earnestly requested to be admitted among the number of his followers; and being straightway baptised by Philip, went on his way rejoicing.

These are the interesting, and instructive circuinstances connected with the text, They are interestVOL. II. 14

ing, inasmuch as they exhibit the influence of Divine truth on a mind duly prepared by Divine grace for its reception. They are instructive, inasmuch as they set before us, what is the great duty of the minister of the Gospel; and what is to be the grand subject of his ministry. He is to preach; and he is to preach Jesus, The truths which Philip enforced and explained to the Ethiopian, respecting the person, sufferings, and atonement of Jesus, are the same great truths, which the minister of the Gospel is to explain and enforce to his hearers, and which, if he be faithful in his office, he does explain and enforce to them. Would that the effect produced by his preaching now, were in general such as that produced by the preaching of Philip! Baptised indeed, his hearers have already been. But would that he could persuade them to believe and to do, all which that Baptism implies! Would that he could. bring them to be Christians, not only in name and in profession, but in truth and in deed! Would that he could prevail on theu to believe with all their heart; and in the lively exercise of that faith, to go on their way rejoicing!

Philip, indeed, in preaching to the Ethiopian had two circumstances greatly in his favour. The truths, which he had taught were new; and the person, to whom he taught them, was humbly desirous of instruction. How different are the circumstances under which, the minister of the Gospel is at this day obliged to conduct his preaching! He has no new truths to produce; no new doctrines, which, by their novelty may engage the attention of his hearers, and thus may strike

more forcibly on their minds. The truths, which he proclaims, are those which he has been proclaiming In stating them, the utmost her

perhaps for years. can hope to accomplish, is to use some little variety in his mode of explaining and enforcing them. The doctrines, which he presses on his congregation, are those, to which they have been listening it may be, for years; and listening with little seeming improvement. With how slender a prospect therefore of success does he often renew the repetition of them, and how greatly are his hopes of making a profitable impression damped!-Consider next the state of the congregation. Instead of being humbly and anxiously desirous of instruction, some of his hearers are too proud to receive the truth; others are utterly indifferent to it: appear to listen, but pay no attention to what be says; others attend indeed, but far from wishing to get improvement, seek only' to amuse their ear, or gratify their curiosity: some wait on his ministry for form, or for fashion's sake; others from worldly views and interested motives. While such is the

some

we need only refer

state of things (and that it is so, to observation and experience) it cannot be a matter of wonder, that the preaching of the Gospel should oftentimes produce so little effect, and that men should continue so unfruitful under it. In fact, if the preacher looked only on this side of the matter, he might often be tempted to desist from his work, and to give up his attempt in despair. But the subject may be viewed in another light. The Gospel is still the power of God unto salvation. The preaching of Jesus is still the ap

pointed instrument for saving sinners: and the Lord will still bless his own appointment. He hath pro

:

mised to be with his ministers, in the discharge of their office, "alway, even unto the end of the world.' He sends forth his Spirit to give power and efficacy to his word and whenever this is the case, these seeming difficulties vanish; the heart of stone becomes a heart of flesh; the indifferent become attentive; the thoughtless, serious; the proud are humbled; the sleeping are awakened; the dead are quickened.May such at this time be the proofs of his presence with us! May some hearts among us feel this day, and own his power! In the humble hope, that he will now accompany his Gospel with his Spirit, it shall be the object of the remaining part of this discourse, to preach unto you Jesus. You are not to expect, as has been already observed, that any new truths respecting Him, will be disclosed. You can only be reminded of truths, which you have often heard, and which it is probable, you already know: truths however, which it is not enough to hear and to know; but which, in order to profit us, must sink deep into our hearts.

First, then, let us call to mind who Jesus was. Let us consider his essential greatness and majesty. He was not an angel: not one of the highest order of angels. He was the Lord of angels; the maker and upholder of all things, whom all the angels of God worship. He was the Only-Begotten of the Father; one with him in Power and Glory: his dearly beloved Son, who "in the beginning was with God, and was God :" the brightness of his Glory, and the express image

of his Person." Let us attend to the language in which St. Paul speaks of Him in his Epistle to the Colossians. "By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him : and he is before all things, and by Him all things consist."a And again, in the Epistle to the Hebrews; "Thou, Lord, in the beginning, hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish, but thou remainest : and they all shall wax old as doth a garment: and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed, but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail." Such were the essential glory, and majesty, and dignity of Jesus. He was Lord of lords, and King of kings; God over all blessed for ever more. Let us bear this truth in our minds; and then consider,

Secondly, the wonderful Humiliation to which he willingly submitted. For high as he was exalted above all power and might, glorious in all uncreated excellence, he yet submitted to lay aside this Glory, this "form of God," and to take on himself" the form of a servant." Astonishing to say, the Creator lowered himself to become a creature; the Almighty lawgiver condescended to become subject to his own law. Nor, did he take on him the nature of angels. This would have been an extraordinary humiliation. But he sunk lower far: for he submitted to be made man; to become partaker of flesh and blood; to clothe himself