in the Scriptural sense, just as properly as when they address the words of exhortation from the pulpit, and daily in the temple, and in every house the Apostles ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ (Acts, v. 42.) Philip also, though only a deacon, went down to Samaria and preached Christ unto them (Acts, viii. 5); and he was found also at Azotus, and passing through he preached in all the cities till he came to Cesarea, (Cor., v. 42), in which passages the original has different words. "They also who were scattered abroad" by the persecution of Saul "went everywhere, preaching the Word" (Acts, viii. 4). And in Acts, xi. 19, we read again that the disciples who were scattered abroad traveled as far as Phoenice, and Cyprus and Antioch, preaching the Word, where the Greek word (la lountes) means talking the Word. "And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord." And again we read in Acts 18, 26, that when a certain Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus he both "spake" or talked, and in a more formal way "taught diligently the things of the Lord," and he began to speak or argue (another word still) boldly, to whom Aquila and Priscilla expounded (another word still) the way of God more perfect. And, my brethren, there is yet another kind of preaching to which the whole body of the Church is called, the humblest believer as much as the most exalted Divine, the preaching not of the lips, but of the life. Every one who names the name of Christ is a member of a holy priesthood, and by his profession is bound to testify to an ungodly world, following the steps of his Master, and being made like unto Him. He is set apart to preach, by exhibiting the fruits of Christianity, by pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned. He is commanded so to let his light shine before men, that they may see his good works, and glorify his Father which is in Heaven. Such preaching, indeed, requires no endowments of intellect, no acquisitions of learning-but it is more powerful than all the excellency of human wisdom. The love and peace, and joy, which are shed abroad in the humblest dwellings of the righteous, the blessedness of the poor in spirit, and the pure in heart, the beauty of well ordered affections and regulated passions, the happy contentment which, under all the trials of life, still rejoice evermore. Sub-silent preaching of the life is often God's chosen instrument to touch the heart with a desire to be joined unto the people of the Lord -to exchange the wages of sin, for that whose present fruit is unto Holiness-and the end thereof everlasting life. And oh, when we look back upon the past history of the Church of Christ, shall our faith faint when we look forward to the future? What though some dark clouds are pendingthough open enemies are assuming a front of unprecedented boldness, and saying of Jerusalem, "Down with it even to the ground,"-though superstition and infidelity are laying aside their mutual antipathy, and combining in unnatural union against the Church of the Redeemer, which they alike detest, because it is the pillar and witness for the truth. Let us, as believers, repose our unwavering confidence in Him who through the flames of Pagan persecution, the subtle snares of succeeding heresies, and the dark superstitions of the middle ages, still preserved her undestroyed, and brought her forth arrayed in the beautiful garments of reformed Truth. And is the arm of the Lord now shortened, that He cannot save? What He has promised, is He not able to perform? There may be many trials to our faith-there may be difficulties and dangers; but of the final issue we may be as confident as that God's promises are true. All efforts, from whatever quarter, to overthrow the Church and the Gospel, however for a short time they may seem successful, will eventually but display the Sovereignty of God, the impotence of rebellious man, and disclose the rock of her foundation, unmoved amidst the waves which conceal it only while breaking themselves in pieces over it. Meanwhile it is our duty and our glorious privilege, in our several spheres, to be fellow workers with God in bringing about the final triumph of His Church; for it is the very scheme of the Gospel that each christian should, in his degree, contribute towards continuing and carrying on; all by uniting in the public profession and external practice of christianity-some by instructing, by having the oversight, and taking care of the souls committed to their charge. Let us then, individually, supply one living stone to this heavenly building. Let us give all diligence to make our own calling and election sure. Let us live, mindful what manner of conversation their's should be, who have been made members of Christ and children of God by the quickening and regenerating power of the Holy Ghost. Let us strive to improve the several talents committed to us even as servants "who wait for their Lord," that so when He cometh again, and presents to His Father His glorious Church, without spot or wrinkle, we may be found amongst the band who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb-whom the Lamb, which is in the midst of the Throne, shall feed-and lead them to living fountains of water; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. |