Morning Star

LIMERICK:
FRIDAY, JULY 15, 1831.

AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST—THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND WORKS.

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God;" 2 Cor. v. 20.

An ambassador, in a political point of view, is a person chosen and sent in a public manner as a messenger from one kingdom or state to another, to transact business of great moment, relative to the interests of both; such as the making and concluding treaties of peace, commerce, &c. The apostles here styled themselves "Ambassadors for Christ," because they were qualified and sent by him, to negotiate between him and the world of mankind, in a moral and religious point of view, the grand concerns of judgment and of mercy; i. e. to show mankind what they are by nature,—their exposedness to divine wrath, while living in sin; and at the same time, showing them the willingness, readiness, and ability of Christ to save them from misery and everlasting despair, upon their repentance toward God, and true faith in him. And as every king, when about to send an ambassador to treat with a foreign power, selects one of his loyal subjects and not a foreigner; so King Jesus, when about to send an ambassador to treat with the fallen and rebellious family of Adam, never sends an unconverted man, but one whom He has previously translated out of the kingdom of darkness into His own kingdom of grace, and therein prepared him for the important embassy. Let it also here be further remarked, that, as every loyal subject in a kingdom, is not qualified for an ambassador, or minister of foreign affairs; so every man of grace is not qualified for an ambassador for Christ. And yet, grace in the heart is so indispensably necessary, that no man can be a true ambassador for Christ without it. Grace, therefore, in the heart, is the first qualification of an ambassador for Christ.

2. It is necessary that an ambassador should be well acquainted with the laws of the kingdom to which he belongs. Nor is it less necessary, that he should have a competent knowledge of the genius of the government, and the disposition and customs of the people with whom he is sent to negotiate. So it is highly important, that an ambassador for Christ should be well acquainted with the perfect "law of liberty," have his mind well stored with biblical knowledge, and a clear view of the way of salvation. Nor are these qualifications alone sufficient for an ambassador for Christ. There are many saints who have these qualifications in an eminent degree; that is to say, they have the grace of God in their hearts—a clear view of the way of salvation; and by daily searching the scriptures, have stored their minds with biblical knowledge—understand all christian duties—know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, and are as capable judges of preaching as any that can be found; yet they lack the gift of utterance, and cannot communicate what they know to others. To such, religion is better felt than expressed.

Therefore, 3. It is necessary that an ambassador for Christ should possess the gift of utterance—be able to communicate what he knows to others—to speak well, and be apt to teach; that by his voice he may instruct his fellow mortals, and show them the way of salvation. But this by no means completes the qualifications of an ambassador for Christ. "No man taketh this honor to himself, save he that is called, as was Aaron." A man with the above qualifications, may be eminently useful in the church, in keeping up the public worship of God, in stirring up the pure minds of his brethren by exhorting them daily—praying with and for them, and in keeping up a regular discipline among the members. Yea, they may let their lights so shine before men, that they may see their good works and be induced to glorify their Father which is in heaven. Indeed, it is the duty and privilege of all saints, to improve their gifts according to their proportion of faith, both in their families, in the church of God, and among their neighbors.

4. To complete the qualifications of an ambassador for Christ, he must be especially chosen and called of God to that office. He must feel a necessity laid upon him to preach the gospel. He must feel the Spirit in him and upon him. As said the prophet, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and