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of it whithersoever they went. What an astonishing sight must it have been, to behold several illiterate fishermen, almost at once, come forth popular and powerful preachers of the gospel! How must they have been surprised, to hear them speak many dif ferent languages with as much fluency and propriety as their own mother tongue; to observe the authority with which they delivered their new doctrine, what. success attended their ministry, and what multitudes. followed them from one place to another; and to see how many were turned from idols, to serve the living God, in consequence of their labours! I say, is it any wonder that the populace should be so affected as we find they were at Lystra, when, after beholding the miraculous cure of the cripple, they lift up their voices, saying, "The Gods are come down. to us in the likeness of men!" Would it have been at all wonderful, if the Apostles themselves, who were so highly honoured by God, and so greatly admired by men, had been, through the frailty of human nature, a little proud of their gifts; and had been induced to think too highly of themselves? But God well knows what is in man; and therefore, when he puts any considerable honour upon his servants, he accompanies it with some mark of diminution, to prevent them from assuming to themselves or others from ascribing to them, that praise which is due to God only. The apostle Paul appears to be deeply sensible of this; for, after having spoken highly of the gospel ministry, and the boldness and success with which he himself and his companions had preached, fearful lest any should imagine, that it was owing to their superior ability, industry and zeal,

he meekly confesses his and their weakness. He adores the wisdom of the appointment, since, by making use of such contemptible and apparently inadequate instruments, all the world must be convinced, that the excellency of the power was of God, and not of men. For the illustration and improvement of these words let us inquire, in what respects the gospel may be considered as a treasure, why ministers are compared to earthen vessels, and how their weakness contributes to the display of the power of God.

I. In what respect may the gospel be considered as a treasure?

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"The gospel a treasure, how absurd;" cries the worldly mind. Bags of gold, or boxes full of deeds and securities, are treasure; and we are sure that there is nothing which is worth calling so besides. We can never believe that any, or all, of the discoveries of the Old Testament, or the New, deserve to be put in competition with our houses, and lands, and the like substantial possessions." It may be so. The God of this world may have so blinded your eyes, that it may not be in my power to undeceive you. But, "Father of lights and mercies, thou canst do it in a moment. Thou canst do it by a voite so feeble as mine. Graciously choose out acceptable words for me, and make them quick and powerful, that while I am opening this treasure, they may be enjoying it; and that there may not be one soul in this numerous assembly, to whom it may be aid, as he is going away, Poor wretch, thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter."

Encouraged by this pleasing hope, I enter upon the description of the gospel as a treasure; and observe

that it is so, on account of its excellency and abundance.

First, on account of its excellency.

A treasure consists not of cheap and contemptible materials. Collect never so large a heap of earth or pebbles, no one calls it treasure; that is always made up of what is scarce, and deemed valuable. Such then are the privileges of the gospel. The favour of God, union to Christ, sanctifying grace, forgiveness of sins, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ now, and the promises of being for ever with them hereafter;-the least of these is worth more than a world. Extravagant as this may seem to those who mind earthly things, those who are enlightened from above, will perceive, and acknowledge, that the discoveries and promises of the gospel, are infinitely preferable to any thing which the wit or wickedness of man may set up in competition. The wise men after the flesh may talk plausibly enough upon trade or politics, or any speculative points; but let a soul burdened with sin, alarmed at his danger, and eager to flee from the wrath to come, apply to those pretended sons of wisdom, and miserable comforters will they all be found. It is the gospel, and it is the gospel only, that relieves the heart of the penitent, sets open the gate of heaven, and furnishes us with the most encouraging assurance of acceptance with God, through him who was delivered for our offences, and rose again for our justification." It gives light to them who sit in darkness, life to those who were dead in trespasses and sins, strength to the feeble and faint-hearted, comfort to the afflicted, aud triumph to the dying believer. Those who best know its

excellency, will therefore consider it as their dearest and most precious treasure.

It may be also called a treasure, secondly, with respect to abundance.

Thus it is to be understood when it is said, that "a scribe well instructed, brings forth out of his treasure things new and old." The gospel is a storehouse of all sorts of blessings. Read this precious' inventory of them; "For all things are yours. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's." There you see are heaven and earth, God and the creature, the good things of time and eternity, whatever an indigent and immortal soul can desire. It is not here, as with earthly treasures. Suppose that this house were as full of gold as it could hold, and that proclamation were made, that whoever would, might come and take as much as he pleased; large as it is, it would soon be emptied; and they who came after, would be all disappointed. But it is otherwise with respect to the gospel. There multitudes may go, and come away loaded with benefits; and yet the next who follow them, shall not perceive the least diminution. The whole world may go again and again, and always find a fulness. Such are the unsearchable riches of Christ. On this comparison, how infinitely 'despicable are all the boasted treasures of misers and monarchs! The poorest believer is abundantly richer and happier than the wealthiest of them all. This, I was going to say, this is the gospel treasure. But no, the one half of it has not been fold you. The richest and best part of it is unspeak

able and unsearchable; for eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived, what God hath laid up for them that love him. But from this imperfect discovery of its value, we must be strangely stupid; if we do not think it more to be desired than thou sands of gold and silver. That which the world, calls treasure, is dross; and the maxims of worldly wisdom, in comparison with the discoveries of the gos pel, are as the glimmerings of a glow-worm to the blaze of a noon-day sun.>

It is to be presumed then, that this treasure is care fully lodged. If we possess jewels, or gold, or any thing that we value, we take care to lock it up in the strongest and safest place; and will trust no one with the key, but those in whom we have the most en tire confidence. You will, therefore, be surprised to hear,

II. That ministers, with whom this treasure is deposited, are not better than earthen vessels. Angels would have thought themselves honoured with the commission; and if we may judge from the pleasure with which they sung the Redeemer's birth, had this precious gospel been committed to them, they would have been ready and faithful preachers. But being so much above us, they could not accommodate themselves so well to our capacities and conditions, as those who partake of the same nature with ourselves. When, therefore, the Lord determined to communicate this glorious light to our benighted world, he singled out some persons from among ourselves, whom he counted faithful, putting them into the ministry; and to them were committed the oracles of God, An honourable trust it is! To be ambassadors of Christ; to be the

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