his son in the faith, exhorted him, Study to show thyself approved of God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.99 But while the apostles of Christ fulfilled His commands, they were deeply sensible of their entire dependence upon His grace for the success of their ministry. As He had graciously declared to them for their encouragement, Lo, I am with you alway, they looked to Him to work with them, and to give testimony to the word of His grace, that it might be effectual for the accomplishment of His will. And they besought their hearers also to pray for them, that utterance might be given unto them, to make known the mystery of the gospel, that therein they might speak boldly as they ought to speak. 100 While then, brethren, you account us as the servants of Christ, to whom a charge is committed, to minister to you the word of life; pray for us that we may deliver His message faithfully, and that it may be made effectual to your salvation by His grace. Look above the servants to the Master, and wait upon Him for His blessing in the use of the means which He has appointed for your edification, and admonition, and consolation. Pray that by faithfully executing our commission we may save ourselves and them that hear us.1 The ministers of Christ are called in the text,

99 2 Tim. ii. 15. 100 Eph. vi. 19, 20.

1 1 Tim. iv. 16.

Secondly, Stewards of the mysteries of God. A steward is one who distributes to his master's household what is entrusted to him for that purpose. So our Lord explains the term, when He asks, Who is that faithful and wise steward whom his Lord shall make ruler over His household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? In this character the apostle Peter addresses the ministers of Christ. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all things may glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.3 The oracles of God are the treasury from whence the stewards of the mysteries of God are to dispense the word of truth, of life and salvation, to His waiting people; to the family and household of faith. It is, therefore, specially incumbent upon the ministers of Christ to be well acquainted with the holy scriptures; without which it is impossible for them rightly to dispense the mysteries of God.

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What these mysteries are the apostle declared, when he said in this epistle, I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified respecting which he adds,

2 Luke xii. 42.

31 Peter iv. 10, 11. 4 1 Cor. ii. 2.

We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory; 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 prepared for them that love Him; but God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things; yea, the deep things of God. These things he asserts the natural or animal man, he who is led by his senses, who is sensual, not having the Spirit, will not receive ; but the spiritual man, who is taught by the Holy Ghost, will receive them, and be able to judge respecting them. In the conclusion of the epistle to the Romans, the apostle speaks in similar language, Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith; To God, only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ, for ever. Amen." The mysteries of God then are the doctrines of the gospel of Christ, the things which relate to the

5 1 Cor. ii. 7-10.

6 Jude 19.

7 Rom. xvi. 25-27.

redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ. These mysteries the stewards of God are to dispense to their fellow-creatures, to open, explain, or make them known, that those who hear the word of God may believe and be saved.

The present state and condition of mankind

may be called a great mystery. That the whole human race should be living in alienation from God their Creator and Benefactor, not desiring the knowledge of His ways, not loving Him, nor living to His glory. This is a fact, but it is undoubtedly a great mystery. It is evident enough that all flesh have corrupted their way upon the earth. The ravages which sin has made are but too obvious. The word of God informs us how it is that sin abounds so much in the world. It tells us that by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned that the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same to it: and therefore the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together.9 It says, that we were shapen in iniquity and conceived in sin;10 and that sorrow and pain, disease and death, are the consequences of sin. It is the revelation of God alone which traces sin and death to their source, shows their

8 Rom. v. 12.

9 Rom. viii. 20, 22.

10 Psalm li. 5.

true nature and their connexion with each other as cause and effect. Death follows in the train of sin. The soul that sinneth it shall die. The wages of sin is death.

But the mystery of redeeming love is that which the Bible unfolds most especially. The love of God to man, to fallen, sinful man, is the theme on which it dwells with delight. It tells us how He passed by the fallen angels, and left them reserved in everlasting chains under darkness to the judgment of the great day; and yet looked with compassion upon fallen man, and formed a plan for his deliverance from that wrath and destruction to which his sin had justly exposed him. It declares that God is love; and that, In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.12 It shows the completeness and freeness of the salvation of Christ. It invites, Let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.13 It announces, that this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, and that He receiveth graciously all who truly turn to Him, and will not cast out any that

11 Jude 6.

12 1 John iv. 8-10.

13 Rev. xxii. 17.