44 THE EXCELLENCY OF [SERAI. /tr. christian dispensation is and shall be conveyed through ; the world, to all the heathen nations, as well as to the Jews, and that by a multitude of messengers, by apos- tles, and evangelists, prophets and teachers, endowed with the gifts and powers of the Blessed Spirit, and sent forth for this purpose. And it has heen preserved and conveyed even to our nation, and to our day, by the wri- tings of the apostles, and the ministrations of the preach- ers of the gospel through every age, and it spreads the rich grace of God, and the salvation of Christ, to the very ends of the earth : nor shall any other dispensation succeed it. Other religions of God's own appointment are worn out, and vanished away, but this being once introduced,-must abide for ever. VI. I might add here some other characters of the christian,dispensation; which the apostle gives it in 2 Con. iii. 6-18. whereby he exalts it above all the religionof the Jews, and especially far above the Sinai-covenant. That was, saith he, the ministration of the letter;" a dis- pensation which consisted much in outward forms and figures, and types : This is the ministration of the Spirit. that is, either of the substance and the thing signifted_in these types, or wherein the Spirit of grace is more emi- nentlypoured out on mankind, for conversionand salva- tion : Either of these senses may give it this name. That was written only in tables of stone : This in fleshly tables of the heart, by the Spirit of the living God. That was a ministration of terror and condemnation and death, in outward terrible appearances of God on Sinai, and it kept the people under a spirit of bondage and fear :- This is the ministration of righteousness and life, inas- much as all the springs of pardon and life, hope and happiness are set open in the gospel of Christ. But I: proceed to the VII. and last particular. "The encouragements and persuasive helps which christianity gives usto fulfil the duties of the covenant, are much superior to those which were enjoyed under any of the former dispensations," Now these consist chiefly in examples and motives. Do examples invite us to our duty, and by a soft and secret influence encourage and lead us on to the perform- ance of it ? Such indeed were the names of Abraham and David, each in their day .a happy pattern to their several.
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