Both extremes, however, must be avoided-we must be exclusive on neither side; but, like skilful physicians, must mingle gentle ingredients with the strongest corrosives, labouring to work a solid not a sudden cure, and never giving a pain but from the necessity of the case, and with the purpose of effecting a radical cure. * Nor must we forget to insist upon the love of him that afflicts. Here we see the clearest display of the paternal character of God,† the contemplation of which seems to have been a source of peculiar consolation to the Saviour in his bitterest moments of suffering, as indeed it is most supporting to his sinful children.§ It is a Father's love that strikes, in order to humble his rebellious child; and that supports his humble child with such sustaining peace, that he kisses the rod, while it is in the act of smiting him; and feels that comfort in the endurance of affliction, which he had anticipated in its removal. In this connexion also, we must point out the reason, the end, the duties, the privileges of affliction,||—that it—"cometh not from the dust," or without the Providence of God-that it would never be permitted at all without necessity—that its duties are self-inquiry, watchfulness, submission, the Ministry. Its scanty and defective views of Christian doctrinė have been lately Socinianized by the editorial labours of Dr. Toulmin *For specimens of this healing exercise of faithfulness, see 1 Sam. xii. 20--22. Ezra x. 2. See some valuable hints in Cecil's Remains-On Visiting Death-beds.' † Psalms ciii. 13. with Heb. xii. 5-11. Matt. xxvi. 39, 42. John xviii. 11. § Comp. Lam. iii. 22—–33. See Archbishop Laud's Manual of Prayers in Stearne's Tractat. de Visit. Infirm. Clergyman's Iustructor, p. 392. Cradock's Knowledge and Practice (ch. xxix.) gives a full and edifying view of this subject. faith, and thankfulness-and that the privileges will be realized in the removal of his sin, the more abundant influence of the Spirit of prayer, the loosening of his heart from the world, and a more intense fixedness of affection upon his heavenly inheritance. Thus when his soul is as a weaned child, and he is ready to do and suffer precisely what the Lord would have him, he will receive all the benefit intended by these visitations of love. It is of vast moment to make Christ the sum of our instructions to the sick. This indeed is the specific object of our commission,* as the "Interpreter" of these painful dispensations, to exhibit the "uprightness" of God in punishing and pardoning sin-" having found a ransom❞—and thus to lift up in the sick chamber, as in the camp of Israel, the brazen serpent, with the warrant and inscription-" Look and live." Instructions of every kind must be considered essentially defective, that do not centre upon this point. We cannot forbear to remark the comfort of going to the sick only as the Lord's instruments. This is the warrant of our commission-" Messengers"-sent by God for this express purpose. What a relief from that excessive anxiety, which often hinders the freedom and cheerfulness of our spirit. And what a warrant to pray in faith for God's power in his own ordinance, which, like every divine institution, carries a promise with it, the acknowledgment of which is only hindered by our own unbelief! As a general rule it must be recommended to conclude instructions with short but serious prayer : with as direct and detailed a reference as possible to the * Job xxxiii. 23, 24. circumstances and spiritual condition of the sick, and with a view to sketch before him the precise petitions and blessings suited to his state. It is scarcely necessary to observe the peculiar caution requisite in administering the sacrament to the sick. While to the Christian pilgrim it may be the true viaticum for the last stage of his journey; by formalists, and even by the careless, it is desired, as the passport on the road to heaven, which they expect will answer their purpose at once.'* A familiar exposition of John vi. would be the best preparation for the reception of the sacrament, not as enforcing the obligatory commemorative command (to which there was no immediate reference), but as illustrating the nature and operations of that faith, which alone qualifies the communicant to "discern the Lord's body." The instruction of the attendants upon the sick is obviously connected with this subject. Indeed it is often a most important medium of indirect address to the sick. The scene before their eyes presents much matter for personal impression in the vivid picture of the consequence of sin, the vanity of the world, the nearness and unspeakable importance of eternity, and of an instant preparation for it. The immense responsibility of their station should be deeply inculcated, with the bounden obligation to add the care of the soul of the sick to the care of his body, to keep off the too successful diversion of impertinent * Stonehouse's Sick Man's Friend-a work of defective Christian doctrine, but of much valuable practical detail, chiefly compiled from Doddridge, Mason, and others. In every thing that a Minister says to a sick person, he ought to keep three things steadily in view--the influence which it may have on the person if dying-the influence which it may have on him if he recover-and the influence it may have on persons in health who are about him.' Gerard's Pastoral Care, p. 168. topics, to improve seasonable opportunities of reading or suggesting suitable instructions, and to seek in special prayer a permanent blessing both upon him and upon themselves. Nor must the convalescent be omitted in our consideration. Bishop Burnet recommends us to exact from the sick solemn promises of renovation of life in the event of their restoration.* Yet must these promises be inculcated in the deepest sense of utter helplessness, and entire dependance on Divine strength. We might say to each of them—" Behold, thou art made whole, sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon thee."† To awakened and softened minds we might recommend daily consideration of the lessons which they have learned in this school,‡ daily prayer to keep alive the teaching of the spirit in their season of affliction, § daily recollection of their peculiar trials,|| daily renewal of their sick-bed vows, and daily prayerful 66 remem brance" of "them that are in adversity, as being themselves also in the body."** CHAPTER IV. PASTORAL MINISTRY OF THE YOUNG. THE consideration of this Ministry is of primary importance in the detailed system of our work. Such was the judgment of one, eminently qualified to speak * Past. Care.ch. viii. Comp. Stearne's Tractatus, ut supra-a treatise with most admirable systematic rules, but with an almost total destitution of enlivening views of the gospel.-Clergyman's Instructor, p. 408. † John v. 14. § Isaiah Ixiii. 15-19. lxiv. 1. ¶ Psalm ciii. cxvi. Ps. xcii. 12. cxix. 67, 71, 75. Lam iii. 19-21. **Heb. xiii. 3. upon every division of the pastoral work-'My first and greatest success,' says Baxter, was upon the youth; and so it was, that when God had touched the hearts of the young with the love of goodness, and delightful obedience to the truth, in various instances their friends, their fathers, and their grandfathers, who had grown old in an ignorant and worldly state, did many of them fall into a liking and loving of piety, induced by their love to their children, who now appeared so much wiser and better, and more dutiful to them.'* So sensible was Dr. Doddridge of the importance and difficulty of this Ministry, that he resolved at his entrance into the Ministry-I will often make it my humble prayer, that God would teach me to speak to children in such a manner, as may make early impressions of religion upon their hearts.' Mr. Brown of Haddington observes of himself 'I lament that I have not been more diligent in catechizing and exhorting the children in my congregation. I am persuaded that these exercises are some of the best means, which Ministers can use for promoting the welfare of souls; and it would be happy for the church, if the zeal and care of teachers were chiefly manifested about things of this nature.'‡ This morning seed-time is connected with peculiar encouragement. As has been beautifully observed— This is perhaps the most delightful of all the Minister's labours. He has indeed ignorance to contend *Introduction to his Compassionate Counsel to Young Men. Orton's Life of Doddridge, ch. v. And again in a letter to a friend-Oh! could I spend more of my time in catechizing children, in exhorting heads of families, and addressing young people.' Chap. viii. Brown's Life and Remains, p. 28. Dr. Owen remarked to the same effect-that 'more knowledge is ordinarily diffused, especially among the young and ignorant by one hour's catechetical exercise, than by many hours' continued discourse.' |