the whole course of my studies.'1 Indeed every pastor must feel, that the regard and confidence of his people materially depend upon the general consistency of his character. They naturally "seek this proof of Christ speaking in us," to draw them to us with something of the impression, with which "A Master in Israel" approached his Divine Teacher —“We know, that thou art a Teacher come from God."3 Whenever therefore we see a Minister specially honoured in his work, we shall mark him generally to be distinguished by a spiritual standard of profession, and Christian consistency of conduct. And doubtless with more spiritualized affections, with greater abstraction from the world, with more fervent love to the Saviour and zeal for his cause, with a higher estimate of the value of souls, and with a more habitual determination to live with and for God-we shall have a clearer testimony in the hearts of our people, that Satan would never be able to gainsay or resist. We shall "magnify our office" among them; and they will gladly receive us as angels of God, even aș Christ Jesus." 5 1 Pastoral Care, chap. iv. Nearly to the same purpose he remarks in another place- Maintaining arguments for more power than we have, will have no effect; unless the world see, that we make a good use of the authority already in our hands. It is with the Clergy as with Princes. The only way to keep the prerogative from being uneasy to their subjects, and being disputed, is to manage it wholly for their good and advantage. Then all will be for it, when they find it is for them. Let the Clergy live and labour well, and they will feel as much authority will follow, as they will know how to manage well. They will never be secured or recovered from contempt, but by living and labouring as they ought.' Conclusion of the History of his own times. 2 2 Cor. xiii. 3. 3 John iii. 2. 5 Gal. iv. 14. PART IV. THE PUBLIC WORK OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. THE Public Ministry of the Word is the most responsible part of our work-the most extensive engine of Ministerial operation-acting-not, like parochial visitations, upon individual cases-but with equal power of application to large numbers at the same moment. Baxter therefore justly remarks it to be a work, that requireth greater skill, and especially greater life and zeal, than any of us bring to it.' It well deserves therefore a prominent and detailed consideration in passing over the Ministerial field, though a full discussion of its several particulars would furnish ample materials for a volume. 6 CHAPTER I. THE INSTITUTION AND IMPORTANCE OF THE BECAUSE therefore want of the knowledge of God is the cause of all iniquity amongst men, as contrariwise the ground of all our happiness, and the seed of whatsoever perfect virtue groweth from us, is a right opinion touching things Divine; this kind 1 Reformed Pastor. of knowledge we may justly set down for the first and chiefest thing, which God imparteth unto his people; and our duty of receiving this at his merciful hands, for the first of those religious offices, wherewith we publicly honour him on earth. For the instruction therefore of all sorts of men to eternal life it is necessary, that the sacred and saving truth of God be openly published unto them. Which open publication of heavenly mysteries is by an excellency termed preaching.'1 This institution belonged to the Jewish œconomy. Moses received his commission from the hands of God for the express purpose of the public instruction of the people; and, when himself unequal to this work alone, seventy elders were set apart by Divine authority for his assistance.3 Traces of this institution are discovered in the history of the chosen people, during the reign of their kings. It was expressly revived after the captivity, nearly according to the present mode; 4 which marks the decent ceremonial of the occasion, its simplicity, deep solemnity, and peculiar adaptation for the purpose of instruction. Our Lord, as the Great Preacher of righteousness, employed this institution for his public work. The Apostles allude to it historically as an early standing ordinance in the Church, and used it as the medium of the communication of their Divine message.7 Bingham shows it to have been continued in the Church, though with some interruption, from the primitive ages; 8 and it is now established as the grand mean of uplifting the standard, and blowing the trumpet, of the Gospel throughout the world. 1 Hooker, Book v. 18. 2 Exod. xxiv. 12. 8 See his Antiquities. |