Page images
PDF
EPUB

state, wherein little is to be either feared or hoped from without, where ambition has no object, and where, unless through our own fault, neither contempt nor malice can reach us. Happy, thrice happy, did we but know our own felicity.

You are sufficiently acquainted, my friends, with the intention of this day's meeting. This is one of the few opportunities which occur of suggesting more particular and more important hints respecting the reciprocal affections and duties of the christian priesthood, and the "church "of Christ committed to them" an office both delicate and difficult, but which, notwithstanding, I undertake with all cheerfulness, because my heart assures me, that in addressing the people, it is the reverse of my intention to magnify my order in their eyes, or to bespeak, much less to exact, an improper respect toward it; and that in speaking of the character and conduct of ministers, I have no insolent ambition to instruct others, but an earnest desire to impress my heart with a deep sense of my own duty. I could therefore wish it supposed that in the exhortations to be delivered, in so far as they are founded upon, and agreeable to, the word of God, not I, but the great apostle of the Gentiles is speaking unto you.

[ocr errors]

His advices to the Thessalonian church, and through it to the churches of Christ in every age and place of the world, are addressed to the people more directly, to their ministers in an obliquè manner-yet, at the same time, with clearness and perspicuity. Let us attend to them in the order wherein they are laid down in the textand may God give us understanding in all things, that we may know, and speak, and do his will.

Observe, I pray you, the modesty, the meekness, which accompany the fervour of Paul's address. Where is the stately assumption of the apostolical dignity and authority-where the pontifical haughtiness and distance? Paul knew nothing about them. "We beseech you, bre"thren," is his humble, gentle language; but perhaps he is asking some boon for himself, that he is thus submissive and condescending-no such thing-there is not one word or hint about himself in the whole address. The only favour he has to ask is, that they would study their own honour and happiness, and the edification of the body of Christ. His

[ocr errors]

First request to the people is, that they "would know them who laboured among them,' that is to say, acquaint themselves with their

persons, doctrine, manner of life; enter with attention and kindness into their situations and concerns. There are some men who put in practice this injunction of the apostle in a manner very different from his meaning; who, under the influence of an insatiable curiosity, or a still worse principle, follow their ministers into every corner, the sanctuary of their own house not excepted; watch every motion, scan every action, ready to make a man an offender for a wordwho affect to shew them kindness, give them a place at their tables, with the same view that Simon the pharisee invited Jesus to his house, to have an object of observation and censure. The whole wisdom of the serpent, added to the harmlessness of the dove, is scarcely sufficient to secure one against the pernicious designs of these cunning men. Unless your knowledge of them who labour among you in the gospel be directed and governed by the law of kindness, it will stop too soon, or be prosecuted too far, or degenerate into inquisitiveness and impertinence. It is your unquestionable and unalienable privilege to enquire into, and to satisfy yourselves concerning your minister's character, and the matter of his preaching, and the conformity of both to the unerring standard-the written word. You have a full claim of access to his person, to an interest in

his sympathy, in his prayers-his advice, his assistance, as often as your circumstances require, and your hearts incline you to apply to him for any of these purposes. In return, you must not think it much, if he put in a silent claim upon your humanity, upon your attention to his secular, his domestic concerns. Decency, delicacy, and considerations of a still higher kind, forbid him to express eagerness and anxiety on this article; he has, generally speaking, but one source of subsistence. With the advantage which liberal education would give to the usual run of abilities, toward rising in the world, he has voluntarily resigned the gainful walks of life, he reposes himself on the care of the Master whom he serves, and the generosity of the people to whom he ministers, as the only means of provision for himself and family; your knowledge of him in this respect therefore should be zealous, active, effectual should outrun not only his necessities, but, as far as possible, his very wishes. Nor is this more your duty, than it is your interest; for believe me, a mind loaded with poverty, and distracted with care, is incapable of attaining that freedom, that boldness, that fervor, or that intrepidity which are necessary to a profitable discharge of the duties of the ministerial function. But there is another thing, under this head, which

I must take the liberty in the most earnest manner to recommend, namely, a heart-felt, an experimental knowledge of the all important truths which are delivered unto you. Without this, all the intelligence you have employed in calling and choosing a minister, all the notional knowledge you may acquire by sitting under his ministry, and all the obliging, affectionate, and liberal knowledge you may take of his circumstances, will avail you nothing. I have known men discover both zeal and understanding in the election of gospel ministers, who cheerfully employed their time, their influence, their tongues and pens, nay, their money, in order to obtain able and faithful pastors; but who, after they had carried their point, sat down satisfied with their success, without once thinking of turning it to any good account; like wanton sportsmen, whose delight consists in running down the game with much danger and fatigue, but who leave the repast it affords to be enjoyed by others. This day is an era of considerable consequence in the lives of some among you you will long remember, and probably sometimes mention, the active part you have taken in accomplishing this good work, but it will be good to you only as it is followed up-all that hath hitherto been done is mere preparation. Let me there

« PreviousContinue »