Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/137

 to vindicate the Law and to foreshew the Gospel. "But he that is least in the kingdom of is greater than he." The prophet of the ancient Church had for his main office to enforce the Law, to shew God's people their transgression and their sin; if he spoke of the Gospel, it was in prospect only, and seen afar off. The Messengers sent to us are a "Ministry of reconciliation," Ministers and Stewards of the mysteries of redemption, with power and commandment, as ambassadors of, to declare and pronounce to 's people, being penitent, the blessed tidings of forgiveness, and in the preaching of His word and the distribution of His sacraments to convey and apply its benefits to each individual member of 's body. And does not this great blessing entail upon us a heavy responsibility? Let us learn from the Church how such a gift should be received; she instructs us in the words of St. Paul's admonition to the proud and schismatical Church of Corinth. The Apostle bids them look upon himself and his fellow-labourers as Ministers of , responsible to their own Master, and to be judged by Him alone; as men who thought it a very small thing that even their own consciences acquitted them, or that in man's judgment they were preferred and made the head of a party; who were Stewards, and therefore required to be faithful to Him who gave them their commission; and who sought to have "praise" not of man but "of ," in that solemn day of His appearing, when He should "bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the counsels of the heart." And if we had imbibed more deeply St. Paul's spirit, we should less resemble than, (it is to be feared,) we sometimes do, the contentious Corinthians, or the multitudes who flocked to the wilderness to the Baptist's preaching, as if it had been some spectacle for idle curiosity. (Matt. xi.) Wisdom would be justified of all her children, even in our judgment; we should see them all to be Ministers and Ambassadors of God, and our commendations and censures would be turned into prayers on their behalf, such as the Church has taught us, that like the Baptist they "may likewise so prepare and make ready the way of, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at His second coming to judge the world, we may be found an acceptable people in His sight." And in this way too, as well as in faith in the inspired Word, we should