Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/143

 on purpose to put an end to that exaltation of individuals, which the Church of Corinth had fallen into from forgetting that their pastors and teachers were all "Ministers of ;" Ministers by whom they believed "even as the gave to every man." And so again to the same Church, and in reference to the same subject, St. Paul says, "All things are for  sakes, that the abundant grace might, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God." (Cor. ii. 15.2 Cor. iv. 15 [sic]) Scripture then is express upon this point, that whatever power and grace has given to His Ministers, He has given them for the good of His people, and the glory of His heavenly. And do not our own understandings and consciences bear witness to the same truth? For what is our commission? Is it not a "Ministry of reconciliation?"—"to wit, that was in, reconciling the world unto Himself;" and hath committed to us the proclamation of the pardon? Let us put the case on which the Apostle's language is founded; the case, I mean, of people in rebellion against their Sovereign, visited with the news that their King is willing, nay, even anxiously desirous to give them forgiveness and favour. In such a case, would not the first question be, what authority does this report go upon? who are the persons who bring it? is it merely a matter of their individual belief, or are they duly authorized and commissioned from the Court? are they come as volunteers, or have they been sent by their Master? "Now then are Ambassadors for ;" we are sent to " bring good tidings and to publish peace," "to preach deliverance to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;" and, if we allow our commission to be questioned, nay, if we do not most unequivocally and prominently assert it, whom are we robbing? not ourselves of honour, but the people, to whom we are sent, of the blessedness and joy of knowing, that "desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live;" and that, in token of this desire, He "hath given power and commandment to His Ministers to declare and pronounce to His people, being penitent, the absolution and remission of their sins." We are sent to preach good tidings unto the meek, to bind up the broken-hearted, to comfort all that mourn; and it is the meek, and the broken-hearted, and the mourners, which will feel the loss, if our blessed Office be