406 Reflections on the glory of the Christian dispensation. SECT. V. verse 18 IMPROVEMENT. STILL doth this glorious glass of the gospel stand full in our view, from which the lustre of the Redeemer's countenance is reflected. Let us daily behold his image there, and contemplate it with an attentive eye, as those who are solicitous, that we may wear some of those rays; yea, that we may wear them with still increasing lustre; that we may be transformed from glory to glory, and reflecting those rays, shine as lights in the world. Let us endeavour to raise our minds to this laudable temper, by frequently reflecting on the excellence of the Christian dispen7, 8 sation, as a dispensation of the Spirit, and of life; whereas the law was the ministration of death; and while, from the glory attending the law, we infer, with the apostle, the supereminent glory of the gospel, let us learn also the superior obligation it brings us under, to regard and obey it, and the proportionably 11 greater danger of despising it. The law of Moses was soon to be abolished; the gospel still remains, and shall remain to the end of time. Let us pray for its prosperity, and do our utmost to 14 promote it. And let us earnestly plead with God, that, whereas there is now a veil upon the face of the Jews even unto this day, when the sacred records are read among them, they may turn un16 to the Lord, and find the veil taken away; that so by the conversion of Israel as a nation, there may be a glorious accession of evidence to Christianity; and that the Jews themselves may be happy in the blessing of him whom their fathers crucified, and whom they continue contemptuously to reject. Let the ministers of the gospel, while defending so divine a cause, and enforcing so important a message, use all becoming 12 plainness of speech; and may all Christians know more of that 17 liberty which the Spirit of the Lord gives, that God may in all things be glorified, through Jesus Christ. Amen. SECT. vi. 2 Cor. iv. 1 SECT. VI. The apostle declares his courage, and disclaims all sinister views and all distrust of success, in pursuing the glorious ministry he had described: being persuaded, that such a gospel could not be rejected, but in consequence of the most fatal prejudices. 2 Cor. IV. 1-6. SUCH 2 CORINTHIANS IV. 1. cy, we faint not: 2 Cor. The apostle declares, that having found mercy he fainted not: 407 this ministry, as we therefore having been intrusted with such a min- SECT. have received mer istration, as we have obtained mercy [of God] to vi. be thus honoured, we faint not under any of those difficulties we are called out to encounter; iv. 1 nor in any degree desit from our glorious en2 But have re- terprise. But we have renounced, and set at 2 nounced the hidden defiance, the hidden things of shame, in which things of dishonesty, not walking in craft the priests of Paganism deal so much, in order iness, nor handling to impose on the people over whom they prethe word of God side, practising in their mysteries so many imdeceitfully; but by manifestation of the pure, and so many foolish rites. We need not truth, commending any of their artifices; not walking in craftiness, ourselves to every as some would insinuate that we do, nor deceit man's conscience in fully corrupting and disguising the word of God; the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: but by the manifestation of the genuine and unso- But if our gospel, after such open and gener- 3 herein acts as the god of this world, whose sub с • Desist from our glorious enterprise.] them at defiance," seem still more literally Exxax naturally expresses the drawing to express the original. back from some strenuous undertaking, in If our gospel be under a veil too.] E what we often call a dastardly manner, on δε και εςι κεκαλυμμένον το ευαγγέλιον ημών, account of some difficulties attending it. is most literally rendered thus; and it has so evident a reference to what was said above, of the veil on the faces of the Jews, that it seems by all means expedient to translate it thus, rather than hid. This text is justly urged by Dr. Scott, (Christian Life, Vol. V. 320,) as a proof of the perspicuity of the apostle's writings in all matters of importance to our salvation. Renounced the hidden things of shame.] Dr. Whitby understands this of lewd practices; but the opposition between this clause and the following seems much more to favour the paraphrase; though to be sure the phrase may extend to all dishonest artifices of false teachers. The word azu. rauda, which we render renounce, does not imply they ever had any thing to do with these things; but the words, "set The god of this world.] That several ancient Christian writers should interpret 408 And that he preached not himself, but Christ Jesus the Lord. 2 Cor. iv. 4 believe not, lest the them. unto SECT. jects the children of this world are, hath blinded hath blinded the vi. by its dazzling vanities and allurements, lest minds of them which the lustre of the glorious gospel of Christ, who light of the glorious is the image of the invisible God in all his per- gospel of Christ, whe fections and glories, should beam forth upon is the image of God, them, and should pain, or rather awaken, those should shine weak minds, darkened by so many gross and unhappy prejudices, and slumbering to their 5 everlasting destruction. But such as I have 5 For we preach before described, is our conduct, however not ourselves, but per- Christ Jesus the versely it may be mistaken, or misrepresented. Lord; and ourselves For we preach not ourselves, we aim not at ex- your servants for Jealting our own authority, at extending our rep- sus' sake. utation, or securing to ourselves any secular advantage; but, renouncing all such views, and claims, and desires, we preach Christ Jesus, as the supreme Lord of his church; and, instead of setting ourselves up for your masters, we declare ourselves to be your servants for the sake of Jesus; and are willing, out of regard to you, and above all out of duty to him, to stoop to the humblest offices of love, by which we may be serviceable to you in your most important 6 interests. And it is no wonder, that we are thus disposed, considering the view of things commanded the light which God hath given us by his grace; for God, who by his powerful word, in the first creation our hearts, to give of this world, commanded the light instantane- the light of the knowously to shine out of that darkness which cover ledge of the glory of ed the whole face of the deep, (Gen. i. 5,) hath also shined into our once prejudiced and benighted hearts, and particularly into mine, by the internal operation of his blessed Spirit, [to impart] the lustre of the knowledge of God's glory,f discovered, as we before observed, in the 6 For God who to shine out of darkness, hath shined in this of God the Father, is one of the most To preach themselves, may signify their amazing things I have met with. See Dr. Whitby in loc. and Dr. Edwards, Exercit. p. 291. I doubt not but Satan is intended, and could it be proved, as has been intimated, that this malignant spirit was so early called by the Jews DD, the God who blinds, I should think it a beautiful illustration. making themselves, in any view, the end of their preaching; as preaching Jesus, a phrase often used, may signify preaching, so as to direct men's eyes to him. • Preach not ourselves.] Grotius explains it thus, "we do not preach that we are lords, but that Christ is so ;" and this is certainly comprehended But I think the phrase may well be taken in the larger extent, expressed in the paraphrase. To impart the lustre of the knowledge of God's glory] Ivooews The dogs To Dex may very well signify the glorious knowledge of God; but the following words determined me to the more literal translation, as it is more proper to speak of the glory, than of the knowledge of God, as in, or upon the face of Christ. Some would render gas alμy according, or in proportion to, that lustre. Reflections on the apostle's disinterestedness and courage. 409 God, in the face of face of our Lord Jesus Christ, from thence SECT. Jesus Christ. reflected upon us, and from us to you, for the vi. important purposes of your sanctification and salvation. 2 Cor. iv. 6 IMPROVEMENT. 1 LET all who are honoured with the ministry of the gospel, verse learn from the apostle, courage and fidelity; remembering they are continually in the sight and presence of God. Let them therefore renounce with abhorrence, that craft which so many who have called themselves Christian priests, have studied; and 2 labour to govern their whole conduct by such apparent principles of integrity and honour, that they may commend themselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. This end will be much promoted, if they learn to lay aside all 5 sinister views of interest and ambition, of human applause, or a dominion over men's consciences; and putting on that humble character so amiably illustrated in the apostle Paul's writings, every where, with all loyal affection preach Christ, as the great Lord and Head of the church; and declare, and approve themselves the willing servants of souls for his sake. So humbling themselves, they will be exalted in the eyes of God and man; and will reap those heart felt pleasures now, and those honours, emoluments, and delights hereafter, which will infinitely more than indemnify them for all they may resign; and exceed not only the low apprehensions of the servants of mammon, in Christ's livery, but their own most elevated conceptions. Let every reader seriously examine himself as to the knowledge he has of this gospel, and the degree in which he has felt a sense of its glory and excellence upon his heart; solemnly considering, that if the lustre and efficacy of the gospel be hidden from 3 him, it is a sad sign, that he is himself a lost creature, and is like to be lost to God and happiness for ever; he is the captive of Satan, blinded by him as the god of this world, and in the probable 4 way to be led on to unseen, but irretrievable destruction. Dreadful situation which might indeed occasion absolute despair, were it not for the views which the gospel gives us, of that God, who in the beginning of the creation commanded the light to shine 6 out of darkness: who can yet say, Let there be light, and there shall be light in the most benighted soul, and the lustre of the In the face of Jesus Christ.] Some would render por person; but it so evidently signifies face in the context, (chap. iii. 13, 18,) that it seemed much better to render it face; though the glory here said to be 53 VOL. 4. reflected from his face, is undoubtedly that which is manifested in his person, in the union of Deity with humanity, and all the wonderful things he has done and suffered in consequence of it. 410 He acknowledges that we have the treasure in earthen vessels; SECT. glorious knowledge of God in the person of Christ shall beam forth. vi. Let this Divine interposition be earnestly implored; and O, that it may be imparted, before the blinded captives be consigned to eternal ruin, to blackness of darkness for ever! SECT. vii. 2 Cor. SECT. VII. The apostle freely acknowledges his own infirmities; but glories in the strength communicated to him from God, as an effectual support under the extremest trials; over which he triumphs in the language of the strongest faith. 2 Cor. IV. 7-15. 2 CORINTHIANS IV. 7. 2 COR. IV. 7. UT we have HAVE spoken to you of the excest valua B this treasure in the gospel, representing it as a most valuable treasure; and indeed it is so rich a bless- the excellency of the earthen vessels, that iv. 7 ing, that the highest angel in heaven might power may be of think it an honour to be employed in dispens- God, and not of us. ing it. But such is the conduct of Providence in this respect, that we have this invaluable treasure in earthen vessels: feeble creatures, who dwell in mortal bodies, and are surrounded with numberless infirmities, are employed in dispensing it to us; that so the excellency of the power, by which its great and important ends are answered, may appear to be of God, and not of us; who are so far from being able to add efficacy to our own labours, that it is wonderful how we are enabled even to sustain them. 8 [We are indeed in every respect greatly afflict- 8 We are troubled [We are] continually 9 Persecuted, but In every respect we are afflicted, &c.] This section may seem a digression; but nothing could be more pertinent to the apostle's grand purpose. He aimed at recovering the affections of these Corinthians which were much alienated from him; for this purpose he freely opens his heart towards them, and tenderly represents the many and grievous pressures and hardships to which love to souls, and to theirs, among the rest, exposed him. This I take to be the true key to this beautiful and pathetic passage. We are afflicted.] I apprehend the apostle here to speak with some peculiar regard to his own case; yet not so as to exclude that of his brethren, which undoubtedly did very much resemble it. Compare 1 Cor. iv. 9. Not utterly overpressed] The word sexageμevos properly signifies, crushed in a strait passage. |