uasion as were needful, nor can I think
it an advantage, to shut out and exclude this which the apostle takes to
declare, as the chief subject of his writing, which must needs be, if such
things have place. Therefore I choose rather with the apostle to declare
this unto you, which I can always do with alike certainty and certainly
might always be done to an infinite greater advantage. There are these two
peculiar excellencies in the gospel or word of life, that it is never
unprofitable, nor unseasonable, but doth contain in it, at all times, the
greatest advantage to the souls of men, of infinite more concernment and
urgency than any other thing can be supposed to be. And then we have no
doubtful disputations about it. It varies not by times and circumstances.
It may be declared with the same full assurance at all times, which
certainly cannot be attained in other things. I would gladly know what
Paul meant, when he said, he determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ,
and him crucified, (1 Cor. ii. 2) and that he counted all dross and dung
to the super excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ, Phil. iii. 8. Sure it
must amount to so much at least, that this should be the ordinary subject
of the ministers of the gospel, since they are the ambassadors of Jesus
Christ, not the orators of the state. Should not all other things be
thought impertinent and trivial in respect of this,--the salvation of
sinners? And what hath a connection with that, but Jesus Christ and the
word of life?

But though this be the most pleasant and profitable subject, yet I fear
that few of them who pretend a calling to this embassage, are thus
qualified and disposed to speak and declare it, as the apostle imports,
"that which we have heard and seen," &c. It is true, there was something
extraordinary in this, because they were to be first publishers of this
doctrine, and to wrestle against the rebellion of men's hearts, and the
idolatry and superstition of the world,--yea, to undertake such a work, as
to subdue all nations by the preaching of a crucified man to them which
seemed to reason the most desperate and impossible employment ever given
or taken. Therefore, it behoved them to be the eye and ear witnesses of
his doctrine, life, miracles, and all, that being themselves persuaded
beyond all the degrees of certainty that reason can afford, they might be
the more confident and able to convince and persuade others. But yet there
is something that holds