PART III.

CAUSES OF MINISTERIAL INEFFICIENCY CONNECTED WITH OUR PERSONAL CHARACTER.1

THE writer is well aware of the extreme delicacy, consideration, and tenderness, which the treatment of this part of his subject requires of him. He can, however, truly state; that, though for his personal profit he has diligently observed the Ministrations of his brethren, yet the material for remark which will now be detailed, is drawn rather from a painful acquaintance with his own deficiencies and temptations, than from a censorious scrutiny of others: and he trusts that it will be remembered, that there is a wide difference between exposing the defects of his brethren in the pride of self-gratulation, and observing their failures in connection with a deep searching into his own heart, and for the purpose of bringing all into a condensed view for the common good.

The important influence, favourable or unfavourable, of our personal habits upon the Ministerial work is obvious. The character of the individual must have a prominent part in forming the Minister; and therefore the causes, that operate in the declension of the Christian life, must belong to this department of the subject. Particulars will now be specified.

1 For some valuable papers on this division of our subject the reader is referred to the Christian Observer, 1822.

CHAPTER I.

WANT OF ENTIRE DEVOTEDNESS OF HEART TO THE

CHRISTIAN MINISTRY.

1

THE paragraph (1 Tim. iv. 13-16.) condenses in the smallest compass the most important body of appropriate instruction and encouragement to Ministerial devotedness" Give thyself wholly to these things, that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." The effect of the Apostles' resolution to "give themselves unto prayer and to the Ministry of the word"-exhibited the influence of Christian devotedness Ministerial upon success. The great Shepherd, indeed, who gave himself for, gave us to, the flock; and there is no more responsible thought connected with our work, than the obligation of giving ourselves to our people, so that they shall be led to prize us as a gift from Christ. Oh! that we might be able to tell them- We belong to Christ, and he has given us to you; we owe our whole selves entirely to you ; 3 we are your servants for Jesus' sake;"4 we have given ourselves to the work, and we desire to be in it, as if there was nothing worth living for besides : it shall form our whole pleasure and delight. We will consecrate our whole time, our whole reading, our whole mind and heart to this service.' It will not be pretended, that there is any favourable change since the primitive times, that renders it less necessary for us than for Archippus, to "take heed to the Ministry

1 Acts vi. 4-7.

3 Rom. i. 14.

66

2 Comp. Eph. iv. 8-12.

4 2 Cor. iv. 5.

2

which we have received in the Lord, that we fulfil it 1" -or that the Apostolical exhortations to unremitted diligence are less applicable to us than to the beloved Timothy? Or do we suppose, that the privileges and immunities of our admirable Establishment were intended to furnish a plea for self-indulgence? Or shall we be satisfied with a certain routine of outward service, sufficient to justify us in the eyes of our Diocesan; while, as respects any painful exercises of self-denial, we are "serving the Lord with that which doth cost us nothing?" 3 We are to be labourers, not loiterers, in the Lord's vineyard; not doing his work with a reluctant heart, as if we did it not, as if we feared being losers by him, or giving him more than he deserved. The pastoral dignity is the condition of a servant. It obliges a man to devote himself entirely to Jesus Christ, and to his Church. Both the Minister and the Ministry are only for the church. He who in this state does not apply himself entirely to the service of the church, will be treated as a thief, and a sacrilegious person. Whoever has not the spirit of his Ministry, renders all the talents and advantages useless, which he has received to serve the church. A pastor ought to have nothing at heart but the work of God and the salvation of souls. This ought to be his delight, his meat, and his life.' Let us remember, that as Ministers, we are not only, like our fellow Christians, "bought with a price," but we are set apart, appointed; yea devoted, to this work. As entrusted, therefore, with the Church of God, we have no right "to entangle ourselves with the affairs of this life," so as to hinder an entire consecration of our services to the cause of God. So strongly was this

1 Col. iv. 17.

2 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2.

3 2 Sam. xxiv. 24. 4 Quesnel on Rom. i. 1. Ephes. iii. 1. John iv. 34.

obligation felt in the primitive age, that Cyprian declares the judgment of the church to be, that a presbyter should not entangle himself with the office of an executor. If, however, they made an absolute rule, without yielding to circumstances, yet the principle was excellent-that the Minister's constant employment in spiritual affairs, precluded him from giving the necessary attention to secular duties, though allowedly important! 1

Our responsibilities demand an entire devotedness of spirit to every soul, as if it were the sole object of our care. 6 It ought therefore to be our solemn and cheerful determination, to refrain from studies, pursuits, and even recreations, that may not be made evidently subservient to the grand purpose of our Ministry.

The Apostle would remind us, in our visits, journeys, the common intercourse of life, never to forget, not only our Christian but our Ministerial character. All must be stamped with its holiness : all must be a part of a system strictly adhered to, of being constantly learning, and waiting the opportunity of imparting what we have learned in the things of God.' Mr. Cecil used to say, that the devil did not care how ministers were employed, if it was not in

1 2 Tim. ii. 4. Cypr. Epist. i. See Burkitt on Luke ix. 61, 62. 2 Scott's Letters and Papers, pp. 307, 308. In another place he writes to a friend in the same spirit of fervid and habitual devotedness-'My conscience is never quiet or joyful, but when I am busy in some Ministerial employment; not merely in acquiring, but in communicating the knowledge of Divine things by my tongue and pen; not only by meditation endeavouring to affect my own heart, but by some method or other endeavouring to affect others, and stir them up to seek, trust, love, and serve the Lord. And after a multitude of thoughts about pride, ambition, &c. influencing me to be active, (and they will insinuate themselves,) I am persuaded Satan would have me while away my life in inactivity, under pretences of modesty, diffidence, and humility; and he never is wanting to furnish me with excuses for delaying or shifting services.'-Life, p. 213.

their proper work. Whether it was hunting or sporting, cards and assemblies, writing notes upon the classics, or politics, it was all one to him. Each might please his own taste. In this view how manly was Nehemiah's answer, four times repeated, to his subtle enemies, who would have diverted him from the Lord's immediate service-" I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down."1 And does not the building of the spiritual temple require the same concentrated devotedness of heart, the same sense of primary obligation? And are we, in a similar spirit, ready to answer the suggestions of a corrupt heart, of pride, indolence, love of ease, worldliness, and unbelief-I may not, I must not, I dare not, "I cannot The true spirit of our work would "let the dead bury their dead," rather than allow them to detain us from the present and imperative duty—“ Go thou, and preach the gospel of God." 2

ܕ corne down

Bishop Burnet adverts to the great notion of the Pastoral care, which runs through our Ordination Service that it is to be a man's entire business, and is to possess both his thoughts and his time.' • What greater force or energy,'-the Bishop asks- could be put in words, than in these ? Or where could any be found, that are more weighty and more express, to show the entire dedication of the whole man—of his time and labour, and the separating himself from all other cares, to follow this one thing with all possible application and zeal?' 3 The Clergy" have a double account to settle—an account with God, as well as an account with man; and it may happen, that, although the latter party have nothing to object against them, yet their functions may not have been adequately 2 Isaiah xlv. 9. Luke ix. 59, 60. 3 Pastoral Care, chap. vi.

1 Nehemiah vi. 3, 4.