III. The persons to whom Christ reveals the will of God, namely, the church; to them the lively oracles of God are committed; and they are built on the foundations of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone. As for the world, which is sometimes opposed to the church, it is said, that, _by wisdom it knew not God_, 1 Cor. i. 21. that is, not in such a way as he is revealed in the gospel; but the church, which Christ loved, and for which he gave himself, is said to be _sanctified by the word_, Eph. v. 26. and _to them it is given, to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to others it is not given_, Matt. xiii. 11. so that the church is the seat, and the object of the execution of Christ’s prophetical, as well as of his other offices; _They are taught by him as the truth is in Jesus_, Eph. iv. 21. IV. We are now to consider the way and means by which Christ reveals the will of God to the church; there are two ways by which this is done. 1. Objectively, which is an external method of instruction, the effect and consequence whereof is our hearing of him by the hearing of the ear, or as the apostle calls it, our _having the form of knowledge, and of the truth in the law_, Rom. ii. 20. This instruction Christ is said to give by the word: And this he did; first, by publishing the glad tidings of salvation in his own Person, which he mentions, as one great end for which he was sent into the world, as he says, _I must preach the kingdom of God, for therefore am I sent_, Luke iv. 43. and accordingly he styles himself, _The Light of the world_, John viii. 12. and it is said, that _he was anointed to preach good things unto the meek, sent to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound_, Isa. lxi. 1. and when he is represented, as complying with the call of God, and _delighting to do his will_, he adds, _I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest, I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart, I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy loving-kindness, and thy truth, from the great congregation_, Psal. xl. 9, 10. And as Christ preached the gospel in his own Person, so, when he left the world, he gave commission to others to preach it, and his Spirit to instruct them what they should deliver, by whose inspiration his word was committed to writing, which is the fountain of all truth; and, by this means, the church attains, as at this day, the knowledge thereof.