Читать книгу Plain Parochial Sermons, preached in the Parish Church of Bolton-le-Moors онлайн

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These unsearchable riches it was the province of St. Paul especially to declare unto the gentile world, that is, unto the world at large, when the offer of them had been rejected by the Jewish nation: in consequence of which blessed communication to the gentiles, the knowledge of them was conveyed, in process of time, to our favoured land.

Many learned persons have believed, that St. Paul himself preached in this island; of this, however, there is no certain evidence; it is enough for us to know, that we are partakers of the benefit of his preaching, that the sound of the gospel, which he sent “forth into all lands,” has long ago reached us; and that we are now in the full enjoyment of this inestimable privilege. He declares, in the chapter, before us, that Jesus Christ, by express revelation, made known to him the great mystery, the unfathomable purpose of His mercy; “which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto the holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.” Unto me, he says, “who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which, from the beginning of the world, hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” [23]