¡Question 4th. In what manner ought the minister of the gospel to act so as to be faithful?

Ans. That a minister of the gospel may be faithful, I believe two things are necessary: the first is, true reli gion in his own heart; and the second is, a holy example. By true religion in his heart, I mean giving himself wholly up to God, and receiving all those graces from God which are necessary for his own salvation, and to prepare him for his great work. By holy example, I mean zeal for the glory of God; patience to bear every bad treatment for the sake of the gospel; and all his life to seek the things which are for the glory of God, and not for his own; to seek the same spiritual health and comfort in poverty and distress, as well as in prosperity; to walk uprightly before all men, and not to make any distinction between rich and poor; but faithfully to deliver the message of the gospel to all, for they are all sinners; to have compassion for the ignorant, to labour painfully to bring them to the knowledge of the truth, because he himself was once ignorant, Night, or day, or any hour to visit the sick, and break to them the bread of life which they require. Not to feel tired of his Master's work when sent for to con

Always to feel

verse with those who send for him. unhappy when worldly conversation interrupts him. Sorrowing when forced to leave any one without being able to deliver his Master's message, and to pray that such hindrance may not again prevent him; avoiding all conversation which is designed only to gratify idle curiosity. This, I think, is the way that a faithful minister ought to act.

I do not say this is my own opinion only, but there is greater authority and example given us in the word of God. Some are blessed with a large light, some a small lamp, some with more heat than light, as a stick burning; some have lamps without oil. All the faithful servants of God have rich spiritual blessings and enjoyments. The indolent servants have always a whip to press them onward; the sleepy servants have hard and painful work given to them to keep them awake; and the slothful servants, who have no oil in their lamps, are entirely separated from the church of God. The spiritually proud get a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet them. So many examples are set before us, certainly then it is my duty to give up myself to God, to act faithfully. Therefore I have no excuse to forget.

THE CHARGE, &c.

1 Tim. iv. 16. "Take heed unto thyself and to the doctrine, continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt save thyself and them that hear thee."

You have at this time made a public and solemn avowal of your faith in Christ Jesus, and obedience to him: you have been separated for the work of the Christian ministry by prayer and the imposition of hands; allow me, therefore, to set before you some things of the highest importance to yourself as a servant of God. Take heed to yourself in watching over the motions of your own heart: before you can be extensively profitable to others, or be in the least profited yourself by the ministrations of the gospel, in which you are called to labour, your heart must be right before God. The conversion of wicked ministers is an event that is extremely rare; therefore keep your heart with all diligence. Give yourself up to prayer. Besides your secret devotions, family worship must be carefully observed every morning and evening. The Holy Scriptures should be carefully read in your family with prayer. It is the command of the Holy Spirit to pray without ceasing. Make it your constant practice to lift up your heart to God whilst discharging your public duties.

Be sober, seek to possess an unaffected seriousness in the whole of your conduct. Holy angels are serious

spectators in the church of God, and certainly the messengers of God ought to be serious in the performance of all their important and sacred duties. Remember that your life, and all that you possess, are consecrated to the service of Christ Jesus your Lord and Master. Be sober therefore. Let the whole of your behaviour be consistent with your character as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ; seek to have your conversation every way becoming the gospel. In simplicity and godly sincerity have your conversation among men, that you may commend yourself to every man's conscience as in the sight of God. Study to gain the esteem and confidence of the wise and good, and put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Do not listen to, nor circulate evil reports. Speak evil of no man. Be hospitable, so far as your means will allow, to those who are good, and are in distress.

Watch every opportunity, and embrace it to do good to the souls of men. Give great attention to reading the word of God, and let your daily and earnest prayer be: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." "O Lord open thou my lips, and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise; then will I teach transgressors thy way, and sinners shall be converted unto thee." Be not given to wine or strong drink; avoid it as destructive both to your peace of mind and public usefulness. O be careful, lest you be found indulging secret sins, and

at last fall a prey to some destructive temptation. Remember that God is at all times your witness.

Watch against pride, it will assault you in a thousand different forms. The heart by nature is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, and it is powerfully assisted by an active, malignant, and dangerous enemy. Guard therefore against pride in all its forms. Seek to be clothed with humility, forget not that it is those of a humble and contrite spirit with whom God will dwell. It is the heart of the meek and humble he delights to revive. It is the pure in heart that shall see God. It is the poor in spirit to whom the kingdom of heaven is promised. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. True humility is an essential part of Christian character, and assuredly it must be so of that of a minister of Christ Jesus. A proud minister bears the impress of the devil's image on his soul, and he will fall into the condemnation of that apostate and accursed spirit. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Be not carried away with the idea of fancied greatness. In proportion as you bear the image of God on your soul, and follow the example of your meek and lowly Saviour, you are truly great. Seek to have exalted views of the majesty and character of God, such as were given to the prophet Isaiah, that, like him, you may be fully sensible of your unworthiness, of your insignificance, and utter inability in yourself to perform the sacred duties of that office to which you