tablish and illustrate, on
several momentous commands which, without the reception of it, are
rendered exceedingly difficult, nay, impossible, to be understood and
received; notwithstanding that the import and object of these
commands are abundantly obvious, and the performance of them tends
most directly and most powerfully to promote the highest good which
the church is capable of enjoying.

"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature"
(Mark 16. 15),--was the parting command of our Blessed Saviour; and
it was on the literal reception of this command that the momentous
alternative hung of our knowledge, or ignorance of the only Name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved; for "how
shall they hear without a preacher, and how shall they preach except
they be sent?", still is the order of God's government. Had there
been the same doubt of the meaning and obligation of this precept in
the infancy of Christianity, which these last ages have exhibited, it
would scarcely have extended its influence beyond the confines of
Judea. But, thanks be to God, the first Christians felt the gospel,
committed to their trust, to be "the power of God unto salvation to
every one that believeth"; and they felt it to be the mind of Him who
had loved them with an everlasting love, and given Himself for them,
that this great act of surpassing love should be published to every
creature, for His own glory, and for salvation to the ends of the
earth; and therefore they counted all things but loss, that they
might fulfil His will, and advance His Kingdom. Why has this spirit
for so many centuries been slumbering? Because men have been seeking,
every one his own things, and not the things of Christ. Let any one
ask his own heart, as in the presence of God, in which state he
should feel most disposed to embrace the command, "Go into all the
world and preach the Gospel to every creature"--whether, when he is
labouring for, and enjoying the comforts and conveniences of life,
and providing against the future possible wants of himself and his
family; or when, like the Apostles and first Christians, he has laid
aside every earthly encumbrance, and waits ready to go or to stay, as
the Spirit of God may appoint. To the enquiry--"Who will go for
us?"--can there be a doubt whose heart would be most ready to reply
"Here am I, send me"? (Isa. 6. 8). The one, having the eye single,
since to glorify his Lord is the only obje