November 1

"Christ is preached."—Philippians 1:18.

AND he is to be regarded, not only in the glory of his person, but

IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS OFFICES. He is the Mediator between God and man. What a glorious work he came to perform! a work involving the glory of God, and the eternal happiness of millions of the human race. He sustains the threefold office of Prophet, Priest, and King—he has the wisdom of a Prophet, the sanctity of a Priest, and the power of a King. The clouds of ignorance are chased away by his wisdom—the guilt of sin is expiated by his blood—and the enmity of the heart is subdued by his power. Christ must be preached

IN THE DESTOWMENT OF HIS BLESSINGS. These are Divine in their origin, countless in their number, inestimable in their value, and eternal in their continuance. Let us allude to some of them. There is his Spirit. The Spirit is given to enlighten the mind, convince the conscience, renovate the heart, and comfort the soul. There is pardon. He pardons freely, wholly, and so as to remember our sins no more. The righteousness which the Christian possesses is wrought out by Christ, proclaimed in the Gospel, applied by the Spirit, and received by faith. There is grace. He gives enlightening, pardoning, sanctifying, enriching, and supporting grace—and this he gives to the humble. Should all the showers of heaven alight on the lofty mountain, they rest not there; they hasten from its barren top to bless the valley with fertility and verdure; what the showers are to the valley, grace is to the lowly soul. There is glory. "The Lord will give grace and glory." He gives grace first, and then crowns it with glory. Let us rejoice that Christ is preached as the sinner's friend and the saint's consolation. He is preached, but has he been received?