2

If it be asked-Why is this promised blessing 1 withheld-we might reply in our Lord's own words “Even so; Father; for so it seemeth good in thy sight." But let the dispensation be considered rather as matter for self-inquiry, than as an arbitrary appointment. Has then this influence been sought for and cherished with earnest fervency of prayer ? Have spiritual "gifts within us been stirred up" by the activity of faith? Let us remember, that our encouragement to prayer remains the same. God is indeed absolutely sovereign in the distribution of hist blessing; but, by his command to seek, he has pledged himself, that we shall not seek in vain. Having freely promised, he will faithfully perform. Let all means be used in diligence, but in dependence in self-denial, but in self-renunciation. Let not Ministers be unduly exalted among their people. We are only instruments " by whom they believe; "3 and a dependence on our labour may provoke the grand Agent-who "giveth not his glory to another"—to wither the most effective Ministry, that these idolaters may "know that we are but men." We may be reduced to ask-"Where is the Lord God of Elijah?"4-who can accomplish more by one feeble sentence from the feeblest instrument, than we can do without him by the most powerful preaching.

1 Compare Isa. xliv. 3-5. Joel ii. 28. 31 Cor. iii. 5-7.

4

2 Matt. xi. 26.

2 Kings ii. 14.

CHAPTER III.

THE

ENMITY OF THE NATURAL HEART A MAIN CAUSE OF THE WANT OF MINISTERIAL SUCCESS.

THE office of the Christian Ministry might seem to command a successful issue of the work. It is "the Ministry of reconciliation; " where the offended party stoops to make the first overtures of peace, and sends his ambassadors to "beseech by them," and 66 pray' "the rebels "in his stead-Be ye reconciled to God." Such a display of disinterested condescension, infinite humility, and compassionate tenderness, might have been expected to give resistless efficacy to the message. The rich fruits of everlasting love are brought to the door of those, who are most deeply interested in it, and whose need of the blessing is inexpressibly great. Such a promulgation of mercy, given to men in guileless ignorance and urgent need, would meet with a ready and universal welcome. But here it meets with a resisting medium. The avenues of approach are barred against its entrance, and the success is limited within comparatively narrow bounds.

By the terms of the commission, it is " preached to every creature; " but the disproportionate effect reminds us of the solemn and sententious declaration

"Many be called, but few chosen." 3 If indeed we were "as many, which corrupt the word of God" -if we would consent to lower its requisitions to a worldly standard, or to a corrupt heart, it would be received with cordial regard, and we should “have

1 2 Cor. v. 18-20.

2 Mark xvi. 15.

3 Matt. xx. 16.

our reward " (purchased indeed at an infinite cost 1) in the praise of men. But if "as of sincerity, as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ; " 2 "renouncing the hidden things of dishonesty; not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God” 3. we must not wonder to hear it repeated-"I hate him, for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil." The whole course of the Ministry is a struggle against the mighty current of sin-originating in that restless bias of the natural heart, which upon the highest authority is declared to be "enmity against God." 5

Nor let this hinderance to the reception of the Gospel be placed to the Minister's account. Ignorance, indiscretion, eccentricity, inconsistency, or want of conduct in his course, will indeed be an occasion of calling it forth. Want of conciliation and address will tend to increase it. A defective exhibition of the spirit of the cross aggravates the offence of the cross. But it must be remembered, that the Ministration of the Gospel from an angel's mouth would stir up the natural principle of degenerate man. What could be conceived more attractive than the combination of dignity, humility, patience, and love that marked the Ministry of the Son of God? Yet were his Ministrations universally despised and rejected. His doctrine was most offensive to the natural prejudices of the unhumbled heart. His general statements were listened to with the interest of curiosity, and the desire of "hearing some new thing;" but their personal application to the consciences of his

1 See Gal. i. 7—10.

4 1 Kings xxii. 8.

3 Ibid. iv. 2.

2 2 Cor. ii, 17.

5 Rom. viii. 7.

hearers - the certain reproach of his cross -the relinquishment of all that was held dear for his service the prostrate submission required for the reception of his truth-all combined to produce the " murmuring among themselves "- the complaint of the intolerable "hardness of his sayings," and the resolution to abandon their temporary profession. 1

The innate opposition, existing between the substance and the objects of the Ministry, offers therefore a material impediment to the success of this Divine institution. It addresses itself to those, whose attention is already pre-occupied, whose affections have been long pre-engaged, and whose "hearts are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." The truth therefore never comes into contact with a sincere and honest heart. Enmity is the concentrated essence of man's depravity. It is at once the cause and the effect of that moral or spiritual darkness, which shuts out the entrance of light, and offers difficulties to the process of "enlightening the eyes of the understanding," unconquerable by any force short of Divine influence. The power that "slays the enmity," opens the heart to the perception, obedience, and love of the truth, and to a full possession of the inestimable blessings of the Christian Ministry.

1 John vi. 24-66.

CHAPTER IV.

THE POWER OF SATAN A MAIN HINDERANCE TO MINISTERIAL SUCCESS.

THE active power and unsearchable subtlety of Satan are always directed against the Christian Ministry, as the engine "mighty through God to the pulling down of his strong holds." This is his grand point of attack upon the Redeemer's kingdom. We could scarcely expect, that "the devouring lion " would quietly submit to have his prey wrested from his teeth, or that "the strong man armed "3 would resign his spoils without a severe conflict.

The nature and extent of his unceasing opposition are less difficult to conceive than accurately to define. It meets us however in every sphere. In the world his influence is palpable, in a general listless inattention to the word of God, and an immediate transition from thence into the very vortex of the world 4—in the awful blindness of men to the glory of the Saviour,5 in their thoughtless unconcern for eternity, and in his captivating dominion over such vast multitudes,7 unable to "deliver their souls," or to say-"Is there not a lie in my right hand ?”8 The course of this world' (or what is elsewhere called "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life " 9) is distinctly identified with the power of "the spirit, which now worketh in the children of disobedience." 10 The same enemy stirs up the natural enmity of the

1 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. 4 Matt. xiii. 19. 72 Tim. ii. 26.

2

1 Peter v. 8. 5 2 Cor. iv. 4.

8 Isa. xliv. 20. 10 Ephes. ii. 2.

3 Luke xi. 21, 22. 6 Luke xi. 21.

9 1 John ii. 16.