But, in the second place, the business of the gospel, with which its ministers are intrusted, is the Lord's own work; even his peculiar work. It is, (so to speak) their Master's favorite business, on which the "travail of his soul" is fixed. "When thou shall make his soul an offering for sin," saith the prophet Isaiah, "he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied; for by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many." (a) And, indeed, this is a work that has cost him much travail; more than the creating the worlds, although "all things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." (b) For this he left the bosom of his heavenly Father, where he had dwelt from all eternity, and where he might have continued securely to remain, in essential, ineffable, unchangeable peace and tranquility. For this he laid aside "the brightness of his Father's glory, that he might take upon him the form of a servant;" and left the heavenly throne, putting off, (as it were) his robes of divinity, that he might be born of a woman, and put on the rags of our humanity. For this he was laid in a manger, submitted to all the hardships of a man of sorrows, and one well "acquainted with grief;" (c) betrayed by a Judas, denied by a Peter, mocked by an insulting multitude, accused of blasphemy by a Caiaphas, set at naught by a Herod, condemned by a Pilate. Nay, for this "he became obedient even to the death," (d) "he endured the cross and despised the shame."(e) His hands and feet nailed to the accursed tree, his sacred temples encircled with the crown of thorns, he fainted not, till he could say, "It is finished;" (f) submitting to taste of death, yea though the Lord of life, consigning himself a prisoner to the grave. For this he preached whole days to surrounding multitudes, and remained whole nights in prayer to his heavenly Father. For this he overlooked the many infirmities of his disciples; He despised not the slowness of their understandings; He condescended to the weakness, and dullness of their apprehensions, and with much patience and perseverance, communicated his instructions in the form in which they were best able to bear. He at no time discovered the most distant inclination to assume any lordly superiority, but in all things commended himself to them, with meekness of wisdom; resolving their doubts, answering their questions, waiting upon the slowness of their faith, and gradually opening their understandings, that they might understand the scriptures. For this, finally, when he ascended, he assured

(a) Isa. liii. 10, 11.

(c) Isa. liii. 3.

(e) Heb. xii. 2.

(b) John i. 3.
(d) Philip ii. 8.
(f) John xix. 30.

his disciples of the coming of his holy Spirit to confirm and establish them, and of his own presence with them, in the discharge of this work; even unto the end of the world.

Blessed Jesus! almighty Saviour! adorable lover of souls! are these things indeed so? Hast thou, indeed, already done, and art thou still meditating such wonders of love, through this thy work of the preaching of the gospel? What heart can be uneffected that is honored with it? Can that minister of Christ be luke-warm and indifferent in the work of the gospel, who remembers with what earnestness and application, his gracious master was once employed in the same work? Can he grudge his best endeavours and greatest energy, in delivering the important message to a perishing world, who considers what amazing pains the Son of God was at, and with what anxious concern, and steady perseverance he went through every step of the arduous task? Can he possibly look with contempt upon the meanest of Christ's flock, for whom the chief Shepherd himself, has manifested such regard? Ministers of the gospel are therefore styled "workers together with Christ," (a) not only because he is, himself the chief worker, but to signify the peculiar pleasure he takes in this work.

Would we wish then the pleasure of our Lord to prosper in our hands? Would we wish him to see of "the travail of his soul, and to be satisfied" in our labor? Would we wish to become contributors to our Master's joy, now that he is even "set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high?" (b) O then! with what earnestness will we set about this work? With what perseverance will we hold on, animated by the example of our Master, and inflamed with love to him and his work? The noble, the exalted ambition of becoming the successful ambassadors of our Lord proclaiming peace and goodwill, from God to man, the happy instruments of serving him, in this his ministry of reconciliation, must surely banish every meaner attachment from our breasts, and make us "count our life itself, only dear to us, in so far as we may (with the blessed apostle) finish our course with joy," and to our Master's satisfaction, "even the ministry we have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." (c)

But, in the third place, the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom and glory among men, calls for the utmost activity and diligence from every minister of the gospel. This is the sacred charge imposed upon us; the precious deposit, handed down through many revolving ages, and now lodged in our heartsthe public interests of religion-the happiness and prosperity of Christ's church, which is his body-the purity of her faith

(a) 2 Cor. vi. 1. (c) Acts xx. 24.

(b) Heb. i. 3.

and doctrine-the gospel-simplicity and moderation of her government; in short, her internal soundness and peace, as well as her external credit and reputation. And in the establishment and preservation of these, we are not only bound to the utmost fidelity, ourselves, but are under the strictest obligations of transmitting them to others, "that the generation to come might know them, even the children that should be born, who should arise, and declare them to their children, that they might set their hope in God." (a) It is our peculiar province, by the savour of Christ's good ointments, not only in the faithful administration of word and sacrament, but in the wise exercise of dicipline and government, to make "his name" to be "as ointment poured" forth. (b) For this purpose he at first separated the twelve, that they might go forth and publish the glad tidings of his kingdom and "he gave them the keys of the kingdom of heaven." (c) For this purpose when he afterwards ascended on high, "he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors, and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ-that we might grow up into him in all things, which is the Head."(d) Filled with this public spirit, the apostles and primitive fathers of the church, as they were careful to "commit this trust to faithful men, who should be able to teach others;" (e) also, so they "earnestly contended for this faith, which was once delivered to the saints." (f) Fired with the same sacred zeal, our worthy ancestors were indefatigable in the same pious work, laboring for the public interests of Zion, the spiritual comfort and edification of the church; saying, "Peace be within her walls, and prosperity within her palaces."(g) And animated with the like generous and catholic purpose, surely every minister of Christ ought still to be casting in his mire even all that we are and have into this great treasury of the Lord's house. "For Zion's sake," saith the prophet, "I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake, I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." (h)

But, in the fourth place, we might urge this point still farther, from a consideration of the awful and important consequences of the work, in which the ministers of the gospel are engaged. But what earthly mind is adequate to such an exhibition? What tongue can tell, what immagination can trace the unfathomable depths and consequences of eternity?

(a) Plm. lxxviii. 6, 7.

(c) Matt. xvi. 19.

(e) 2 Tim. ii. 2.

(g) Pslm. cxxii. 7.

(b) Cant. i. 2.
(d) Eph. iv. 11, 12.
(f) Jude i. 3.
(h) Isa. lxii. 1.

Higher than heaven, what can we here know? deeper than hell, what can we here perceive? One note of accented praise, transmitted to us from the rapturous hallelujahs of the saints in light; one groan of agonizing torment sent from yonder mournful prisoners, condemned to dwell with everlasting burnings, and despair, would more effectually display the importance of our work, than both tongue and pen of men and angels. Oh! is not the solemn import, the affecting meaning of these awful words, delivered by the inspired apostle, enough to make the heart to falter, and the ears to tingle, of every minister of Christ! "For we are unto God," says he, "a sweet smelling savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish. To the one we are the savours of life unto life, and to the other, the savour of death unto death." (a) What minister of the gospel can think of this and be idle? What minister of the gospel can think of this and not tremble, even while he is pursuing his work, with the most vigorous and uninterrupted ardour? The interests of kingdoms, the fate of empires, are not intrusted to our negotiations. The interests of eternity, the fate of immortal souls, depend upon the results of our labours. Oh! the quickening, transporting thought of becoming subservient to the happiness of immortal spirits; of securing the savour of life, unto eternal life, though but of one soul; to emulate the work of angels in becoming ministers to the heirs of salvation, and their helpers on the way, till they all, all appear before God in Zion? What earthly pleasure can for one moment compare with this divine heart-felt delight. But alas! on the other hand! Alas! the dreadful agonizing reflection of becoming accessary to the ruin, and perdition of immortals! even the savour of death, unto eternal death, though but to one soul! One soul! more precious than ten thousand worlds! If a man "desire the office of a bishop," no doubt, as the apostle says, he "desireth a good work."(b) But, sure I am, he also desires a weighty work, a most responsible charge. It is, no doubt, an agreeable thing, in one respect, to behold members crowding into the office of the holy ministry, to receive the charge of souls. But, I believe, did many think seriously of this, even the everlasting consequences, that necessarily, and unavoidably, must result from their ministrations, we should have more difficulty to find a pastor willing to undertake the charge of souls, than a people willing to submit to their pastor; and might have, oftener, occassion to press congregations upon reluctant ministers, than ministers upon reluctant congregations.

These things are not said with a view to discourage any, but (a) 2 Cor. ii. 15, 16. (b) 1 Tim. iii. 1.

rather to stir up all. "For who, indeed, is sufficient for these things?" (a) and which of us can here say, "that he is pure from the blood of all men?" (b) "We are not sufficient of ourselves, to think any thing as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God." (c) And "we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (d) Oh, may we be enabled to say, with the apostle, "that we are not as many, who corrupt the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ." (e) And may we be enabled, on good grounds, to add, with the same apostle, "That seeing we have this ministry. as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced 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;" (f) then "if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost;"(g) "but we have delivered our own souls." (h)

Several other important considerations still remain upon this head, to animate every minister of the gospel to the most vigorous, as well as conscientious fidelity in the discharge of his sacred trust; such as,-the comprehensive nature, and endless variety of the ministerial work; the many and great difficulties, that occur in every part of it; the absolute uncertainty, as to the times and seasons, in which God may be pleased to bless our labors, and render them successful; the present satisfaction arising from a consciousness of simplicity and godly sincerity in the exercise of every sacred function; the smiles of our Master's countenance in a dying hour; and, last of all, the blessed prospect of having it to say, when our Lord cometh again, "Lord, thou deliveredst me five, two, one talent; behold, I have gained besides these five, two, one talent more." (i) But, sensible that the time allotted for a single discourse is already fully exhausted, I cannot now enter upon any of these, but just hasten to conclude.

In the third and last place with a few things by way of application from what has been said,

In the first place, then; Is the gospel a system a chain of precious doctrines and discoveries founded on the person of Christ, and him crucified, and terminating in the salvation and redemption of lost sinners? How much does it concern us all, as ministers of the gospel, 'to take heed to our doctrine."(j) Human systems and theories may be varied with

(a) 2 Cor. ii. 16. (c) 2 Cor. iii. 5. (e) 2 Cor. ii. 17.

(g) 2 Cor. iv. 3.

(i) Matth. xxv. 20.

(b) Acts xx. 26.
(d) 2 Cor. iv. 7.
(f) 2 Cor. iv. 1, 2.
(h) Ezek. iii. 19.

(j) 1 Tim. iv. 16.