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II i"v--" ■ 
 
 I r iiimiiiiii I ti iiaiiMr 
 
 TTSE 
 
 1 Che\istian 
 
 INISTI\Y, 
 
 A SERMON 
 
 ■BY THK-- 
 
 REV. JOHN SCOTT, 
 
 DKLIVXRin BRKflRB Tl« 
 
 BYN013 ()li^ T.ONOON 
 
 CANAIU I'KKsHYTKHiAN HHUHOU, 
 
 MAY 2, 1871. 
 
 JOHN' CAMERON i CO., I'ltlNTERS, RlC»MoN'D STREE! 
 
 1871. 
 
 *!?9 
 
 ^. 
 
; 
 
 I 
 
. 
 
 TT^E 
 
 Chi^istian JAimSTBJ. 
 
 -•-•- 
 
 A SERMON 
 
 — BT THll— 
 
 REV. JOHN SCOTT, 
 
 DELIVERKD BEFORE THE 
 
 SYNOD OF LOlSTDOlSr, 
 
 CANADA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 
 
 MAY 2, 1871. 
 
 JOHN CAMERON & CO., PRINTERS, RICHMOND STREET. 
 
 1871. 
 
and 
 at i 
 will 
 beli 
 to c 
 in t 
 on 
 
To THE Rev. John Scott, 
 
 MOPRBATOn OF TIIK .HVNOP OK tON'D .N". 
 
 
 Rkv. and Dear Sir, — 
 
 Having listened with great satisfaction to your able 
 and timely sermon, delivered before the Synod of London 
 at its opening, we cordially unite in requesting that you 
 will p.ublish it for general circulation in our congregations, 
 believing as we do that its ;.- rusal by our people will tend 
 to confirm them in their attachment to the order existing 
 in the church, by directing their attention to the authority 
 on which it rests. 
 
 Signed by 
 
 [OHN ROSS, Moderator, 
 
 Ami 65 .Moiiiliui-s <>f Synod. 
 
 London, May 3rd, 1871. 
 
THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. 
 
 " Feed tlic tl"ck <.f Qod whi.^h Is ainonR you, takin>{ the oversight thereof, not 
 by constraint hut willingly ; not fr.r filthy h.cro, but ..( a ready mind ; neither as 
 beins? lords over God's heritage, but bclnu ensaniplPH to the flock. And when the 
 chief Shepherd shall m^^r, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not 
 away." Pet. v. 2-4. 
 
 The subject presented in tbcsc verses is, the gospel ministry 
 iu its WORK, CHARACTER AND REWARD. T?ut bcforo entering on tho 
 consideration of these particulars, we shall advert in some intro- 
 ductory remarks to the authority on which the christian ministry 
 
 rests. 
 
 1. Wo rcmoik that the christian ministry has its fouudaticn iu 
 the human constitution, and the conditions of social life ; aa 
 the family, the civil community, and the nation. In orde^ to tho 
 supplying of common wants and tho securing of common privileges, 
 persons must be appointed, whose special business will be to attend 
 to these. Hence tho obligation, accompanied with a constitutional 
 authority, resting in the parent, the magistrate and the sovereign. 
 The Chri^ian Church is a community of persons, brought together 
 by certain common relations and interests, and rc(iuiring for the 
 promotion of their welfare, the performance of certain public duties. 
 Hence, the gospel ministry which consists of certain Christian 
 men, duly chosen, officially set apart, and divinely authorized to 
 minister to their brethren. On them mainly devolves the responsi- 
 bility of providing instruction from the word of God, maintaining 
 tho observance of ordinances and watching over tho spiritual wel- 
 fare of the church's members. In tho Scriptures the church is com- 
 pared to a building, a vinoyard, a flock, a household, &c. But 
 the erectiou of au odifico requires builders who will bo rospousible 
 
6 Tin: CilRIh'llAX .MlXlbTUV. 
 
 for tho accomplislimont. of the work ; in cidor <o tlic ciiltivntiou of 
 u vinoyard, ]ui?haii(!n-ifn niuKt l)c nppoiiitod ; a flock cannot bo jirc- 
 servcd and provided for without tiie cai'c of shophrrds, and the 
 welfare of a household rorpiirod a steward to guide it3 affairs and 
 Borvauts to perform its necessary duties. The Christian ^linistry 
 llierefore lias its rise in tho nature of thing^->, and is necessary for 
 tho maintenance of tiio Church's social life. 
 
 2. We remark that the direct uuthoiily for the Christian 
 Ministry rests on th.e kx.ampi.k ano rKiccF.i-T of vScripture. From 
 the earliest times, the meniliers of the human race, recognized as 
 the people of God, were placed under an organization which 
 secured to them orderly direction and superintendence. The most 
 ancient form of government was patriarchal, in wiiich were devolved 
 oil the head of the tribe the obligation and authority to "com- 
 mand his children and his household after him, to ke-p the ways of 
 tho Lord." Dm-ing the sojourn in Rgypt, a class of jieraons named 
 elders were the recognized rulers of the Israelitish people, to whom 
 Moses made known his mission and delivered his divine directions. 
 At the formation of tho Jewish cluirch in the wilderness, a very 
 complete constitution was divinely appointed, for preserving the 
 knowledge and worship of Cod, and securing the purity, unity and 
 happiness of J lis people. By means of the local elders in every 
 tribe, and the supremo court of seventy rulers, the afT'airs of the church 
 were preserved and directed by authority, ^^'ho\\ the fulness of 
 the time came, in which the (rnurch was to bo elevated to a more 
 spiritual position, an<l to take a new and simpler form, we find that or- 
 ganization was still observe<l for securing her iiit'n-ests. Our Saviour 
 in performing His public ministry, conducted it in an organized way. 
 |[o did not loave the spread of Jlis gospel message to depend on 
 tho zeal of individual converts, o. the uncertain and fitful service of 
 those whose minds might incline them ; such service he did not for- 
 bid, b\it neith(!r did he depend on it. ITo called and ordained first 
 the twelve apostles, and the labors of these being unecpud to the 
 extent ot Uie work, h«' aj'terwanl-. regularly ordained other seventy. 
 When, after his death and resurrection, tho New Testament Church 
 
 T 
 I 
 
THE (jnRl:VriAX MlNlSTRS 
 
 w;w fully caii3titatc(l by bis inspired apostlej», evorvtliing was 
 proccodod with in an orderly way. The social relation of believers 
 to one another, the maintenance of tlie means of grace anionft- them, 
 and the execution of the .Saviotir's commission, that the Gospel 
 should be i)rcached to every creature, were not left to the spon- 
 taneous action of the spiritual life in individual converts, but 
 Kocured under orderly and authoritative direction. In proof of this 
 we ini^ht refer to the way in which a auccessor to Judas was chosen, 
 in which Deacons were ai)pointed to i ul to the intereets of the poor, 
 in which the first Gospel messengers to the heathen nations were sent 
 forth, and in which the young mauTimothy was taken into the work of 
 the ministry. To those we shtdl have occasion to again refer shortly. 
 In the primitive church there may have been, and there doubtless 
 was, much voluntary service rendered, bnt the interests of the Chui-oh 
 were not left to depend on such. And if the mainteiumce and pro- 
 pogation of the gospel in the Apostolic age could not bo left to the 
 ze.al and discretion of individual converts, how much less could they 
 be so left now ? Would not the discontiniu-nce of a regularly o])- 
 pointcd ministry be to a large extent the dissolution and destructiou 
 of the church itself? 
 
 'I he constitution of the christian church se(?ms to have been 
 formed nftm- the model of the Jewish Synagogue, and where the 
 converts were chieily Jews, the one seems, by a kind of natural 
 transition, to have taken its lise out of the other. A bench of 
 elders with one of their number as jjresidcnt, was the synagogue 
 form of governnuMit, and when such oflicers were convert'^d to the 
 gospel they probably retained in the christian church the same 
 position which they had held in the Jewish. Where such were 
 not among the converts or not in sulhcient nund)er, others were by 
 election and ordination set apart to the oflicc. As in the Acta of 
 the Apostles and in several of the Epistles, we find frequent refbr- 
 encc to these elders as the constituted rulers of the church. The 
 relief funds for the destitute saints at .Jerusalem were s«ut to the 
 care of the ciders; the disputed (luestion of circunici.singthe GentiJo 
 uouvcrls, was referred for decision to the apostles and ciders ; the 
 
8 THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRV. 
 
 doliveraiico when agreoil on was formally drawn up in the namo of tlie 
 apcstlos and ciders and brethren; wken the contents of the deliverance 
 were given to the Gentile churches, they were de-^igiialcd. "The de- 
 crees'that were ordained of the apostles and cUkrs;" and as Paul and 
 his fellow laborers proceeded with their missionary work through- 
 out the heathen countries, they ordained elders in every church.* 
 These and the Deacons seem to have been the only per- 
 manent office bearers connected with the several congrega- 
 tions of believers. The iii)ostl(' Paul in directing 'I'imothy 
 and Titus respecting the ordaining of office bearers, 
 and in specifying the office bearers in the church at Philippi, 
 mentions only these two classes— I'Udcrs and Deacons, f 
 
 But our present object was not to determine what the particular 
 form of New Testament church g')vernment is— not to prove as 
 against l<:piscopacy and Congregationalism, that Presbyterianism 
 is' that form — though we think the proof of this is very plain, by 
 a reference to the Scripture evidoiicc— we only intended to point to 
 the abundant evidence furnished in Scripture that the church has 
 received a divinely appointed organization, with ofiicers distinctly 
 set apart for the performance of certain duties. And we close our^ 
 remarks on this point with a reference to two important principles 
 connected with the api^ointment of offu.-e bearers. ( 1 ) Their election 
 by the vote of the general membership and (2) their ordination by 
 already existing onice bearers. Of the first of these wo have the 
 following illustrations: The narrative which gives an account of a 
 successor to Judas plainly implies that all tlie persons present, to 
 the number of 150, took part in the act of choosing a person ; in 
 the appointment of deacons, " The apostles said to the nn.ltitude 
 of believers, "look yv out among you seven men;" and in the state- 
 niont made respeciing the ordination of elders over the (jentilo 
 churches, while the common Iranslation reads, " Ordained them 
 Elders in everv church/' the Greek fully expressed is, "Daving 
 
 «Soc Ai-ts xv. 2-ii3, xvi. 1, si\. i'l 
 
 j Tl)t' word', biiihoiKiuii chlcr ivfor^- Wk '.:i!'.ic cla-., i,f j>cr- 
 
 SCI.' Tit 11:! i. iJ-t. 
 
IMF. CHRISTIAX MINISTRY. 9 
 
 onluinea tho.n chlor. by sbrw of Imn.l.." Hnt this olodion by th. 
 ..vixMul me.nbor.hip did not constitute the persons ollice bearers 
 without ordination by already existing cnico bearers. And of th,s 
 S'^cond principle we have evidence in the IbUowino- examples. 
 Alter the deacons had been chosen by the mullitu.,it- of bfliev.-r. 
 "thev were set b(-fore the apostles, who, when they had prayed, 
 laid their hands on them;" when the Hrst missionaries were apimuit- 
 od to the heathen nati(.ns, though they were selected by the Holy 
 (Ihost, they were not allowed to go forth without the open, formal 
 and' authoritative sanction of the church, for "The prophets 
 and teachers which were in the church at Antioch, fasted, praye.l 
 and laid their hands on them;" and when Timothy was set apart to 
 the o-o.pel ministry, Paul did not advise him <o go forth and 
 pre-ichthe Gosp.d when and where his inclination might guide him, 
 neither did that Apostle deem it proper of his own authority to or- 
 dain him, but this was done " by the laying on of the hands ol 
 
 the presbytery." 
 
 It is evident then, from the nature of the case, that a stated 
 ,„inistry is requisite, and it is just as plain from direct Hcnpture 
 evidence that such a ministry has been divinely appointed. I Ins i3 
 distinctly implied in our present text, for the Apostle i'eter ad- 
 dresses a distinctive class of persons, as especially responsible tor 
 maintaining the interests of the church, and charges them to teed 
 the flock of God, and take the oversight thereot. 
 
 We come now to consider the particulars relative to the 
 Christian Ministry brought more immediately before us in the text, 
 viz its icork, character and rcicard. 'rhoivork is intimated by 
 the Apostle iu the exhortation " Feed the ilock of God, taking the 
 oversio-ht thereof." Some are of opinion that while the word feed 
 views the church under the idea of a flock, the word oversight con- 
 templates it as a family. We do not see any ground for this dis- 
 tinction, but think that both terms have reference to the church 
 as a flock. J'aul, in addressing the elders of Kphosus, uses this 
 lan-uao-e, "Take heed unto yourselves and all the flock over which 
 the^IToly Ghost hath made }uu overseers." There arc included in 
 
10 
 
 1ME CHRi:>riAN MIXISTRV, 
 
 tlie two terms, if not oxpressod in each of tliom, tlioso two parts of 
 niioiaterial work, iin]Hirtin!r instructioti and exercising goreynmcnl. 
 1. Imparting instructiov, or as it is olsowbore expressed in 
 Scripture, " Laboring in word and doctrine.'' Tlie subject matter 
 of the instruction must be the word of God, iucludinf? tlie whole 
 ranf^e of revealed truth, — the entire canon of Scripture, the difl'orent 
 parts of it beiutf used as circumstance may demand. 'J'ho Apostle 
 Paul referring to the breadth of his teaching says, "I have not 
 shunned to declare the whoh^ counsel of God." lint here there 
 is great need for observation, roUection and wisdom that tiie various 
 parts of divine truth nuiy be presented in their proper proportions 
 and adaptions to seasons, circumstances anJ persons. It contains 
 food suited to different conditions, and medicine as well as food. If 
 nn3kilt\illy admiuiistered, hurtful instead of wholesome effects may 
 follow, A commonly expressed division of Scripture, and one wiiich 
 iauseful to bo remembered in preaching, is that of law and gospel, the 
 one being the school master to prepare the soul for tUe inheritance pro- 
 vided, the other being t!io inheritance itself with all its spiritual 
 privileges. AVe hav« ivad of two celebrated Scotch ministers who 
 were remarkable for dwelling, the one nearly exclusively on the law, 
 the other largely on the gospel ; tlie one regarding himself as having 
 been furnished at his commission with a quiver full of arrows, ihe 
 other regarded as having been provided with a cruise full of oil. And 
 as they occupied adjoining parishes this division of labor did not cause 
 any great inconvenience, for ua the hearei-s were wounded by the 
 cue they betook themselves for healing to the other. But there are 
 few circumstances in which sucli an arrangement would be suitable. 
 lu general, every minister must endeavor to do the work of both. 
 It may bo useful to bear in mind the doctrines of scripture made 
 prominent in the discussions of the church, or rather in the church's 
 conteudings for " tlie fiiith once delivered unto the Saints;" such as 
 what are technically called the " Five Points," and which in the 
 Calvauistic view of them are regarded by us as distinctive of the 
 true teaching of Scrii)ture. One has said that every sermon ought 
 to contiin three Ks, meaning Unit it ought to present the ruined 
 
Till: CllKlSIIAN MiXISTKV, 
 
 II 
 
 stato of moil as sinners, the redemption wrought out by the son of 
 God, and the doctrine of regeneration by the operation of the Holy 
 Ghost. Another hiis well remarked that, "every discourse should 
 contain a complete Christianity, in the sense of faith, never being 
 separated from sanctitication nor sanctification disjoined from faith." 
 AVhere there is not a coml)ination of those two, the gospel 
 is not preached. He who continod himself to any special 
 part of scripture teaching, to the excluuioa of other parts, does 
 not, in the full sense of the term, preach the truth, and ia almost 
 ynreto fall himself, and lead his hearers into direct error. The 
 Apostle Paul, in specifying the sum of his teaching, expresses it 
 under two heads, "Repentance towards God, and faith towanls 
 our Lord Jesus Christ." ]>ut our Savour, in his connnission, uacA 
 only one term, "(Jospel.'' "Go ye into all the world, and 
 preach the gospel to every creature." But this expression may be 
 regarded as here comprehending the whole compass of revealed 
 truth, not oidy wiiat more inmKMliately constitutes the glad tidings, 
 but all the circumrtances both in relation to God and men, which 
 gave rise to the gospo', and tend to make it such. Yet, what is by 
 way of emphasis, the gospel, and which should ordinarily occupy 
 the largest space in Christian teaching is the doctrine of recon- 
 ciliation to God throu'jh the atoning blood of Mis son — Christ in 
 His character of the sinner's substitute, securing all the blessings 
 of eternal life. Every sermon, it has been truly said, should 
 either take its rise in Christ, or come to Him. He is himself the 
 bread of life by which tho souls of His people are to bo sustained ; 
 the way by which access to the Father is secured to them ; and 
 tho vine from which they as the branches derive their nourishment, 
 hoalth and fruit fulness. 
 
 But while the subject matter of the instruction imparted i.^ 
 to 1)0 scriptural, and while the very expressions of Scripture have 
 u special value and power prcnliar to them, yet, for tho sake of 
 e.\j)liiining and applying- gosjiel doctrine, knowledge should bo 
 gathered from all :;ources. While in oiu* .'<enso tho Bible is tho 
 .sturehuu.ie out uf which lue :>upply of things new and old aio to 
 
12 THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. 
 
 be brought, yet, iu anotbor seuso, it ia only a sample of tbe kind 
 of materials that are to be gathered from the world of objeclH, 
 facts and minds, and of the use to which these are to be put. It 
 directs us to observe and study what the hoaveii.s exhibit, what 
 the earth presents and yields, what providence evolves, and what 
 the ever active intelligence of mind discloses. Eeligion is the 
 relation of things to God, therefore, all things become religion 
 to the Christian, and all things should l)e laid hold of by the 
 Christian minister, and laid under tribute to the promotion of the 
 glory of God, and the happiness of the creatures whom He hath 
 made after His own image. An English divine was one Saturday 
 found studying Gibbon, and on being questioned on the subject 
 he said, "If I belong to Christ, Gibl)on is surely mine, and a 
 harvest field which bears fruit for my Master." Only it mnsU>ver 
 be borne in mind that the pastor's work is to feed the Uocl^and 
 therefore what he presents must bo food. 
 
 In connection with this work of imparting instruction, a 
 number of points, respecting the manner of performing it would 
 naturally come up for discussion, such as the form of address in 
 which instruction may bo most efficiently presented,— whether the 
 homily, essay, sermon or lecture is the preferable form of discourse, 
 or to what extent each may bo practiced in public preaching; 
 the work of preparing the instruction — on which point Tholuck, 
 in substance rcnuirks that, " the instruction mu<t be drawn from 
 the Scriptures, nuist have adai)tation to the circumstances of the 
 Hock, and must he first created in the study and then re-created 
 in the pulpit, under the guidance of the IToly Ghost ; and the 
 various ways by which the mini.^cr may sp-^k to convey instruftion 
 besides the public preaching on the Sab,,ath— as through family 
 visitation, week-day lectures, district prayer meclings, seasons of 
 Catechizing, JJible classes and Sal)batli schools, and occasionally 
 publishing a discourse or address. But time will not admit of our 
 cousiderimr these i)articulars. 
 
 2. Erevcisini!; (itncnnaatl \< the other department of (he 
 work of the ministry implied in the text, " 'J'aking thn 
 
THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. 
 
 13 
 
 oversight llieroof.'' Ami horo it is necessary to bear 111 mind tlmt 
 there are two cltwses of elders in the church — ^'lose who rule only, 
 and those who both rule and teach. A distinction which ia 
 implied in the Apostle's words to Timothy when he says, "Let 
 the elders that rnle well, be counttul worthy of doul)lt; honour, 
 Bpecially they who labour in the word and doctrine." As im- 
 plied here all rule, but only a certain number of tiiem devote 
 themselves to public teaching-. Now in the direction of our text 
 to take the oversight, we must understand those who are called 
 lay elders as well as those who are commonly called ministers 
 Not but that the lay elders have also a responsiliility in connec- 
 tion with the instruction imparted, but it is in the work of 
 e.xercising government that their services are more directly given. 
 And in this we would notice as among the things included — 
 
 First — Maintaining purity of membership. This it ia true can 
 only be attained in a relative degree. For, according to our 
 Saviours own teaching, the tares will grow up among the wheat, 
 and the Gospel net will enclose bad as well as good. In the 
 small band which lie Himself formed there was a traitor, and in 
 the churches which the Apostles planted there were enemies to 
 the cross of Christ, and those who, though among the believers, 
 were not of them. But while altsolute purity of membership 
 cannot bo secured, neither must indiscriminate admittance be given; 
 ignorant and presumptuous persons, whose presence would bo a 
 scandal to the church, must be refused. In reference to such it ia 
 said " Purge out the old leaven." The building of worthless 
 materials — wood, hay, stubble will not only occasion loss in 
 the day of final trial, but such often cause much loss of peace and 
 comfort in the present time. A competent amount of knowledge, 
 some evidence of Christian experience, and a consistent life ought 
 to be required of all. 
 
 Second — Watching over the spiritual welfare of those who 
 compose the mcmborshii). Besides the attention of the pastor to 
 this particular, tlu^ elder.i in their respective dislricts should ac(|uirc 
 a knowledge of the members in regard to their circumstuuceSi 
 
M 
 
 TilK CIIRI>11AN MIXIhlkV. 
 
 muiiiU'ror liliMiiid statool' iiiiiid ; siiouM spo that Uu^y iirc regular 
 in attemlanco on liip public nioaiis of /^'raco ; visit them iu their 
 houBCd and give oxlioitatioii, counsel and comfort as occasion may 
 render ueceshary ; and where circnm.stanoos will admit, hold moet- 
 ingsfor reading, exiiortatior. and prayer. It was a severe charge 
 of the Prophet against the shepherds of Israel, when he said, 
 "The diseahod have ye not strengthened, neither have ye 
 healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound »ip that which 
 was broken, neither have ye briHiultt iigain that which was driven 
 away."' 'J'iie Apostle rani's c.xliortation, wliich though addressed 
 to all, is spn(!ially applicable to ministers, '• Wavw them that are 
 unruly, comfort the f ('ble minded, support the weiik, be patient 
 toward all/' 
 
 H. Seeking oui those wliu ure .still in a lost condition. 
 J! ere the example ol the chief Shepherd is to be followed. He 
 came " to seek and to save thut v:]ndx was lost."' He went " into 
 the wilderness to s;'ek i'.iat whic'.i w.is gone astray.'' 
 
 In many respects this exercising of govermnent is the most diffi- 
 cult part of the ministeriul work, and that which forms the severest 
 test of the calling to the ofiice Here the ministry is brought into 
 the closest dealings with human nature in all its various nmnifesta- 
 tions of character, and has to struggle patiently with ignorance, 
 prejudice, presumption and pride, as well as v>ith timidity.discourage- 
 ment and despair. Faithfulness ar.d tenderness must be com- 
 bined under a close discernment of particular cases. On this sub- 
 ject Vinct remarks, " 'J'he c-ne of soids is dillicult because it is not 
 80 acceptable as it was once, The flocks know our duties well 'out 
 their own they know no more, and the precept, ' Obey them that 
 have the rule over you,' is to them without signification. To exer- 
 cise and enlbrceaullioiilywitliont startling the spirit of independence, 
 lii're is a problem which simi)li( ity and crarity aloric can solve." 
 ]Much must be borni', and the work persevered in against dicourage- 
 ment Ibr the sake v'i the »Saviour and the interests of his cause. 'J'he 
 Scripture jH't>ce|it nuist be resoluti'Iy adhered to, "The servant 
 of the Lord must nut strive but be patient toward all. 
 
Tirr. ( HRT'^TIAN' MIN'IS'IRV. 
 
 15 
 
 II. Tlio Koroiul pa! ticuliir in rofcrciuo ti) the wovk ol'llio Clirisitinn 
 ministry broni;lit Itcforo us in llio toxt is liHc/idrartci'. Aslioroox- 
 ])rcssp(l, two things aro irciuircil, viz., A chcvr/al ami disintevcskd 
 servke, and an e.vonjihir)/ li/'r. 
 
 1. the Bcrvic'O nui.st ho checvfnlln rondorod — Iho flock fed and 
 the ovoryight taicon "not by constraint, Itiit willinjrly." The occu- 
 pation ot'tlie i^ospel ministry, above nil others, reipiircs an incliiuitiou 
 to it. a love for it. Its sacred dntios must not bo engaged in under 
 the constraint of external circumstances, ?uch ns a desire to ])lonse 
 friends, when the mind it-^elfdoes not choose thcFO duticH. 'I'ho 
 high motives which the work presents in connection with thcgloiy 
 of God and the salvation of souls, should be so apprehended, and the 
 constraining influence of the Saviour's love so felt, as to })roduco a 
 willir.gness, a cheerful facing of the labors and dilficulties involved. 
 There may be, and indi)ed in the true gosi)el mininter there will 
 be, u sense of uuworthiness and unfitness, and u certain Hhrink- 
 ing from the responsibilities iiui)lied. For if an Apotitle cxchiimed 
 " AVho is sufficient for these things," Low should tho ordinary 
 laborers feel? l>ut this state of mind is not inconsistent with a 
 liearty performance of the duties, as the anunuit of ability and 
 measure of grace may enable. 
 
 And the service mwiihQ dhinteresteil, not having for its aim a 
 temporal livelihood or any mere secular advantage, "not for fdthy 
 lucre, but of a ready mind." 'i'o an adequate amount of pecuniary 
 support, an amount proportioned to circumstances and the condition 
 of society, the mini.-^try has a claim, according to the Apostle's com- 
 uuiud "Let him who is taught communicate to liim that teacheth 
 in all good things," and according as the " Lord hath ordained that 
 they who preach the gospel should live by the gospel, even as they 
 -who ministered at the altar, lived by the altar." For, adds tho 
 Apostle, "if Ave have sown unto you spiritual things, ia it a 
 great thing if we shall reap of you carnal things. " Only the obtaining 
 of this must not be made the objec* ' the ministry, or allowed to 
 incite a npirit of covetousness. Indeed, there is not i..ucli indiu-e- 
 ment to choose the niiiiistry as a means of gain. Any of the other 
 
i6 
 
 lllK CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. 
 
 loiiniod prOiOi-'Rions, and inuuy ordiuiiry lino.'i ofhiuiiios.s, give iiiucli 
 greater prospect of realizing worldly sub.sluiice. In many eai<es, 
 conipareil with the circumstances of, i^cneri'il society, it is character- 
 ized by poverty rather than wealth. Ministers of the gospel 
 jirofess to occupy the position of the Levito of oil to whon) it was 
 said, '■•Thoushalt have no inheritance in ihc land," and they are 
 held to their profession. Hut wliile very generally the demand on 
 the ministry for self-denial in the renunciation of worldly advantages 
 and comforts is greater than those v.iio receive tiio services ought to 
 exact, yet, thorois no degree of disinterestedness necessaiy for the 
 welfare of tho gospel of Christ, wliich the minist(>r should not Ije 
 ablo to exercise. IFis life is a consecration in which all is renoun- 
 ced, lie is the representative of llim whouuido himself poor, who 
 eamenottobe ministered unto but lo minister, who voluntarily 
 denied himself what the birds and tho foxes enjoy. 'l"l;e ready mind 
 enjoined in tho text chooses the occupation, not the emoluments 
 that arise from it — desires tho service whatever its accom- 
 paniments nuiy be, abundance or poverty, good report or ovil report. 
 Having been himself chosen out of tho world he has been appointed 
 to call others out of it ; to " warn them that are rich in this world 
 that they trust not to uncertain riches,'' to exhort th(Mu that 
 arc poor to "bo content with such things as they have." Bui how 
 hurtful to the success of his labors, and how dangerous to his own 
 soul, were he attached to the vice from which ho seeks to detach 
 others. His purity of mind, and strength of soul would thereby 
 be destroyed. "'J'ho ways of them that are greedy of gain, take 
 away the life of the owners thereof." Jf the present age is specially 
 characterized by a secular spirit, an absorbing worldliness in which 
 "every one seeks his own, not the things that are Christs," there is the 
 more need for those who are in a prominent sense the servants of 
 Christ to shew a different si)irit, to give an unmistakable example of 
 disinterestedness. To a minister the words were spoken, "Tho 
 love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, 
 they have erred from the path, and pierced themselves through with 
 many sorrows. But thou, man of God, flee these things, and 
 
 
im. CHKISTiAN MINISTRV. 
 
 17 
 
 
 follow ufter riglitconsiicss, goJliiioss, faith, love, i)aticnco nud 
 incokness). 
 
 2. Tlio other cliaraotcrlHtic of the christian ministry cnjoiii'^d 
 here i.s, an exvm}ilitry h'/v, "neither ns boiijr lords over (jod's 
 herita,t,'e, but Ikmii*,' •Misuniphs to the Hock." AVhcn a spirit of am- 
 bition was beifiiniiiin- to manifest itself in sonieofourLordV disciples 
 Jle said nnto them, "Ye know that they who are accoun.ed to rule 
 over the Gentiles, cxercii^o lordship over them, and their j^real ones 
 exercise authority upon them. ]>ut so shall it not be ainonjr yon, 
 but whoso;n-er will be great ainon,!;- you shall ho be your minister." 
 Gospel ministers do not occupy the position of proprietors, but of 
 stewardfi. Their power is not le<,'islative but adininistraiive. They 
 have been ap})oinled to maintain in their purity, and to adinin- 
 inster faithfully the laws whieh the Mn'^ter has ordained for the 
 regulation of liis house. And they who minister these laws are 
 theiTiselves subject te them. The Apostle here intimates that the 
 most successful way of securing their observance in others, is to 
 oxamplify them in their own li\es. Kxample must be nuulo the 
 main source of intluence. There may be refciTi ice here to the 
 eastern )iiode of guiding a (lock, which was by going before as a 
 leader, not by going behind as a driver. ()r there nuiy bo a ref- 
 erence to what is observable in shcop, a tendency in the body of the 
 flock to follow one or two of their mnnber as leaders. ^Ministers 
 are not, in their orgin and nature, distinct from the body of be- 
 lievers ; they are tlieui;ielves members of the Hock. 1 liey nm?l 
 therefore guide their brethren liy tliemselves taking the lead in 
 every christian duty and virtue, in "every good woid and work." 
 Let them follow the true and good Sheidierd who has gone before, 
 and then the Hock will follow them. For, to the greater part of 
 tlio people, the gospel is not what tlu) minister preaclies, but what 
 ho lives. 'l"he pulpit U regarded a:-* presenting v.-liut surpasses 
 luuuanity, and the life is taken as the f.tlainable standard. " l?n 
 thou an example to the believers," said l*aul to Timothy, "in 
 word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in purity." And 
 again, "Take hoed to thyself and the dDclriiio - * ^ 
 duiu«' this thou shall both save thyself and theui that hear thc«." 
 
 tor I a 
 
iS 
 
 'NIK ».11I-:|S1 IAN' MINI.'ilkV. 
 
 Til. Tho tiiird particular in roganl to tho cliribtian ininiKtry 
 includofl ill our t-xt U it< rcitard. "And wIkmi tl;c clii(>f 
 Slioplionl shall appoar, yo sliail roc(>ivo a crowti of glory that 
 fadolli not away." Oa tliis it wo.iM liav(f boon vory important 
 for us to liavo roflortcd at Iciiytli, l»ut timo will admit of our 
 oxpr.''asiiis only a IV'w s-cntoncoH. 
 
 Tho second coniiu;^ of tlio Saviour is the p;roat event to 
 which christians are tlirecti'd, both for admonition and cn- 
 conrai^omont ; that in t!ii' suloiuri atid glorious j)ro-<poct of it, 
 they may he .ilimulatod to resist «in of every form, to dischnrsro 
 with diligencoMUid fulflity all encumbi^it dutie-;, and to bear np 
 cheerfully under the privations, sacriHcos and .sulfpring which, fur 
 tho Lord'8 aake, they may bo cd'od ' ■ endure. Then l[e will 
 come as a Lord v/ho has l)een long al).-;ent, (o take account of his 
 servants, examining what their conduct has becMi daring liii 
 absence, and rewarding every one according to thi; nuTit of hid 
 past services. Then all who have been faitlifid will " enter into 
 the joy of their Lor I," and those whoso .scrvico has been sj)ecially 
 prominent, will be proportionaliy raised to honour. Here, as 
 corrospondiug to the ligurative l.mguage in which ministers and 
 Christiana are s[)oken o{\ He is represented as n])pearing in tho 
 character of the chief Shephoid. At 11 is coming all th' dif- 
 ferent Bcctions of tho ilock will be gar:- 'red under 1 1 is review, 
 arid placed "in the gn^cn jiastures and by the still wai ^t^" of 
 heaven, and the under sheplierds, by whose ministerial care tho 
 ilock was preserved and fed, will be honourably rewarded. 
 Therewari' oromiaed to them hero is designated a " crowu of 
 glory," wiiic;. -."licateh the very di:-tinguished honour and blessed- 
 ness thnt wd* !/(. ' 'fiii'errj/! on them. Among men on earth, crowns 
 are express! vo oi'i yu,- rank, spec'al aehiovemeuts, or distinguished 
 service. Mordccuj; us the m Ji whom the king delighted to 
 honour for the services ho hail rendered, appeared "in royal 
 apparel and with tho crown royal on his head ;" and the victor 
 in the Grecian gamci was nuirkcd and distinguished by a chaplet 
 of laurel round his brow, ao v.ill faithful ministcrd be honoured 
 
IMF. (.URISTIAN MIN'IsTUV. 
 
 •9 
 
 • 
 
 r.hd "liMth" ''I -hod, mid tlr»t forovpr. 'I'lio lanrri of tlio vict(»r 
 Foon I'lilod. and ovpii tlio fjoldi-ii crown of rovnlty jjrows dim, 
 buttliiir rownrd ia u " tTOWii of "low that fadotlj net awnv.'' 
 In what tlio dorv will arfnallv consist wo cannot ccrtaitdv know. 
 It niny imply sprcinl nortrnc.^H to tlio Havionr and morn iiilininfft 
 coinpanionsliip wifii iliiii, similar to what is oiijoypd 'it fli' 
 l)riii('os of a nation in rolaiioii to the sovpr('ii,'n ; and also, ns tlu'\ 
 liavp linon co-workopa with Ilini hnre in oathrrini: Ills pooplo 
 out of tlio world, and con'OiTatinj; thoinsi.'lvos to tlioir spiiilual 
 intort'st, it may iini)ly tho IdoasodiicsH of lar^'cly shariii!;- in \l\n 
 8yiiiprtlliio.-i as Ticdopmor. As the jirincos of n nation who have 
 j'.'iiiod thoir kinf;' in sonio ,s?ro»t and hononruhlo Piitt'rprist», 
 Byinjiatliizod with him in his olijoct and plans, and thocrrnlly 
 shared hi.^ pnvatioiH, toils and daiifrcrs, will, wIumi tlip ontorpriro 
 h.is boon crownod with suocoss, liava also a Hympathy with him in 
 the satisfaction which ho cxporipiicoa hy his object hnvinjr bocn 
 uccom])lishod — his joy will bo thoir joy, and his j,dory their tjlory; 
 .so ministers of the gospol who have boon jiartakers of the spirit 
 of their master in rcj^ard to tlio work of saviiij,' soiilg, may experi- 
 oiico a very hi<,'U de<rrcu of liap|)iness throu<i;h vnison of feolin;,' 
 with Ilim when lie "shall soo of tho travail of l.is soui, and bo 
 satisTied." J.s the Saviour at JFis apniaraiico will have u hi«,'h 
 satisfaction in beinu: " fjloriliod in ITis saints and admired in all 
 them that beliovo;" so will christian jiastors bo fillod with doliirht, 
 whon thoso for whoso conversion thoy prayed, wopt and laboured, 
 and over whoso spiritual intorosts they watched with anxions care, 
 appear, as thoir " crown of joy and rojoicin,2: in that day." 
 
 But whatever the form of honour anil happinoea implied in 
 the uufadiiiq: crown of<^lory, the prospect of it may well oncouraj^e 
 and strenixthen the orospol labourer in his M'ork, and enable him to 
 disregard tho earthly inrlucements which intluonci o minds of 
 others. Out of respect to the " recomi)onso ofixM^ard" Moses 
 " chose rather to sutfer attliction with the people of God than ta 
 enjoy tho pleasures of sin for a season;" the early christians took jov- 
 fully the spoiling' of their goods knowing that " iu heuvou they bud a 
 
20 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. 
 
 bettor ami an enduring substance ;" and the Saviour himaolf, 
 "For the joy that was set before II im, endured the cross, despising 
 the shame," so let christian pastors eye with a steady faith the 
 " crown of glory," that they may with diligence and cheerfulness 
 feed the Hock, keep themselves free from the influence of filthy 
 lucre, and ever in meckue=s, purity and love, be ensamples to the 
 flock. 
 
aaolf, 
 isinc: 
 1 the 
 Inogs 
 filthy 
 the