grant us, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man, that we may "discern something of his manifold wisdom, and may, according to the measure of saints," be able to comprehend what is the length, and breadth, and height, and depth, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge."

What abundant cause of joy and gratitude have we, who by nature are sinners of the Gentiles, that we have been called to partake of these unsearchable riches? With what pleasure should we read—with what transport should we hear the gospel of our salvation? This discovers to us wonders which human reason could not have searched out, and proclaims to us blessings which human virtue could never have secured.

Ye sons of poverty and want; go take a share in these unsearchable riches. Vain are worldly treasures, and worldly pursuits. No longer spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which cannot satisfy; but eat that which is good, and let your souls delight in fatness. Seek durable and substantial riches-seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness. "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hid in a field, which, when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof, goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field," Go, make this purchase, and you will at once possess unsearchable riches.

Let us now,

IV. Consider what grand and enlarged conceptions the Apostle entertained of the design and importance of his ministry.

The primary and immediate object of it, he tells us, was to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which was hidden from ages." It was to open to mankind that mighty scheme, which the wisdom of God had formed, and which his goodness had, for ages, been carrying into execution for the redemp

tion of our fallen race. When Jesus first appeared unto Paul, he said to him, "I will make thee a minister, and a witness of the things which thou hast seen, and in which I shall appear to thee; and I will send thee to the people and to the Gentiles, to open their cyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God." To this heavenly vision Paul was not disobedient, but shewed to all men among whom he preached, "that they must repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." The great theme of his preaching was the salvation of sinners through Christ, in a way of repentance. He preached Christ the Saviour, not of Jews only but of Gentiles also-of all who believe, whatever might be their character, condition or nation.

The manner of his preaching was plain and familiar. He preached the unsearchable riches of Christ, with an intent that all men might see and know them.

His preaching tended to peace and union. It was not his object to form parties here and there, under different names, but to bring all, whether Jews or Gentiles, into one body, and into fellowship one with another. He taught all Christians, in every place, to consider themselves as citizens of one great community, subjects of one common Lord, partakers of the same privileges, heirs of the same inheritance, and to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. How different was our Apostle from those misguided zealots, who interrupt the fellowship of Christians, and sow discord among brethren by teaching their partizans to say to others, "Stand by yourselves, come not near to us, for we are holier than you !"-" Mark them who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have received, and avoid them: For they who are such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly."

Paul's ministry was designed for the benefit, not of men only, but of angels too. He preached the un

searchable riches of Christ, "That now unto principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God."

The angels learn much of the wisdom of God from his works. When he laid the foundations of the earth, "they sang together and shouted for joy." And still they praise him, ascribing to him glory, honor and power, because he has created all things, and for his pleasure they are, and were created." If from these works they learn God's character, they doubtless understand it more perfectly from the dispensation of his grace to fallen men. Into this they desire to look; for in this his wisdom, holiness, mercy and truth are most gloriously displayed. They were sent to foretel the birth of the Saviour, and of John, his forerunner. When the Redeemer was born, they came to notify the happy event to the shepherds in the field; and on this occasion they glorified God in anthems of praise. They attended Jesus in his temptations, and strengthened him in his sufferings. They watched his sepulchre while he slept, opened it when he arose, and conveyed the tidings of his resurrection to his anxious friends. They were present at his ascension, and testified to his disciples his entrance into his glory. They are all ministering Spirits, sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation. They aided the primitive preachers in their labors and protected them in their dangers. They visited, and still they visit the worshipping assemblies of Christians to observe what passes there. Hence Paul enjoins on Christians a decent deportment in the house of prayer," because of the angels." And hence he charges ministers, "in the presence of the elect angels," to be faithful in their office.

Now if angels were present in the churches when first the gospel was preached, they learnt more of God's manifold wisdom, than ever they had known before. The mystery of divine grace to guilty men

was unsearchable to angels, till it was revealed by the Spirit to the Apostles, and by them opened and proclaimed to the world. They had before seen the wisdom, power and goodness of God in creation and providence; but the display of his manifold wisdom, and of his abundant grace in the redemption of men by the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection of his Son, opened a new scene of wonders, and afforded new themes of praise. Now they beheld that, which before they had never seen, and but imperfectly conceived, the Son of God assuming humanity, dying for the guilty, rising from the grave, ascending to glory, shedding down the Spirit, commissioning Apostles, and sending them forth to proclaim pardon and life to the chief of sinners. Accordingly in the revelation, they are said to sing a new song; not only the song of Moses, which they had been used to sing; Thou art worthy to receive glory, for thou hast created all things ; but also the song of the Lamb: Thou art worthy to receive blessing and praise, for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.-Though they are not the immediate subjects of this redemption, having kept their first state, yet they join in the song of Saints, who have been redeemed from the earth. Such is their benevolence-such their joy for the redemption of fallen men-such their admiration of God's new discovered grace to sinners, that they take into their own mouths the song of saints; "Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us by thy blood." The Apostle adds, "I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and honor, and glory, and blessing." And every creature joined in the anthem, saying, "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever."

REFLECTIONS.

1. This subject may serve to enlarge our views of the divine government. The gospel dispensation, which immediately concerns the human race, answers some important purposes to other intelligences. All the ways, in which angels might be benefited by it, we are unable to conceive. But that hereby their knowl edge and admiration of God's wisdom, grace and holiness are increased, and consequently their devotion, love and felicity are exalted, we are expressly taught.

2. This subject suggests to us, that heaven is a place of improvement. The angels still are learners. They learned much by the publication of the gospel ; and new wonders in the course of providence are opening to their view. In the prophetic book of the Revelation we find them, from time to time, breaking forth into fresh admiration and praise on every new dispensation of mercy toward the church.

The saints here below are exhorted to grow in knowledge and grace. Whatever advances they make, they are still imperfect. When they arrive at heaven, they are said to be made perfect, as being wholly freed from sin. But they are not so perfect in holiness, but that there is room for improvement. If angels grow in knowledge, so may saints. They will receive farther advancement at the resurrection. But even then they will not have reached the summit of created perfection. They may, like angels, be ever learning, ever meeting new objects of wonder, and new occasions of praise, as they trace the ways, and converse with the works of God.

3. We see the humility of angels. They are superior beings, exalted to heavenly places, and called principalities and powers; yet they disdain not to learn from the church on earth the manifold wisdom of God. Yea, they are willingly employed as ministering spir