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Bowles gives some cogent reasons for this full exhibition of Christ in our Ministry.—
1. Because in him is our only hope of salvation, Acts 4.12; John 14.6. 2. Because he is the scope of the whole Scripture, the whole range of truth being employed—either (like the Mosaic economy), “to bring us to him”—or to describe him as if before our eyes—or to lead us to communion with him by the outward and inward means—or lastly, that we might walk worthy of him. 3. Because all the first Ministers of the Gospel unite in giving him the pre-eminence in their Ministrations—John the Baptist. (John 1.29.) Philip (Acts 8.5.) Paul (Acts 9.20. 1Cor. 2.2. Eph. 3.8.) 4. Because all our works, unless they are grafted on him, are no better than splendid sins. (John 15.4. 5.) Lib. ii. c. 8. Again, 1. From the dignity of his person (Col. 2.3, 9. Cant. 5.9-16.) fitting him, as God and man, to be our Redeemer and the ground of our faith. 2. From his office as Mediator between God and man on our account. 3. From the inestimable blessings that flow from him. c. 13. ‘Christum illi soli annunciant vere, et uti oportet, qui in illo solo docent omnem spem salutis humanae repositam, qui per ilium solum agnoscunt divitias gratiae Divinae ad nos derivari.’ Dav. in Col. 1.28.