by THE ETERNAL-"be thou faithful unto death”—and, a gracious promise of an infinite reward to those who shall faithfully execute this charge" I will give thee a crown of life."

In discoursing on this solemn subject, I propose, through divine assistance,

I. To consider some qualifications which are eminently needful in the faithful execution of this charge. II. How it must be executed.

III. The danger of being unfaithful.

IV. The infinite reward of those who shall be found faithful.

First, I am to consider some qualifications which are eminently needful in the faithful executions of this charge.

And here, PIETY and PRUDENCE may be considered as holding the first rank. A good natural genius suitably improved by the knowledge of language, and of the sciences, is needful. The apostles, who were at first illiterate, were taught in the school of Christ, and miraculously endowed with knowledge from on high, before they were sent forth as heralds of the cross. Neither can we believe, that God ever so sanctified ignorance, as to make it a light to the world, or a safe guide to those who sit in darkness. But, piety or real religion, is eminently needful for a minister of the gospel. Without this he will be likely to pay but little regard to the solemn duties of his office. And if he discharge them at all, how can it be from a good conscience towards God, respect to his glory, or zeal for the salvation of souls? The great spring of his actions must be self-a principle very unsuitable to the pure nature and design of his office, and very remote from that excellent spirit which

ought to rule in his heart, and preside in all his actions. It is religion alone that disposes and qualifies us to aim at the glory of God in all, or in any thing, that we do. This attaches us to the gospel, to its doctrines, and laws, as the power of God, and wisdom of God unto salvation— this discovers its divine glories, and renders it preciousengages us to commend it with zeal, and makes us truly concerned for its success. A minister, who faithfully discharges his trust, will not only have the doctrines of the gospel proceeding from his lips, but also shining from his life he will live religion. A lively and abiding sense of its important realities, will be of unspeakable consequence as to the success of his ministry-it will have the happiest effect upon every part of it, and give life and spirit to the whole-it will dispose him to take heed to his conduct and conversation-inspire him with holy watchfulness and caution-and, render him meek and gentle, kind and condescending to all. It will awaken the powers of the man, and put in motion all the springs of action; hence, he will pray with fervor, read with diligence, preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. Religion is that inward savour in the character of ministers, which makes them the salt of the earth; it is, that oil of grace whence they become lights in the world; and, without which, they are in danger of being not only useless, but noxious.

The second qualification mentioned as being eminently needful, for the faithful execution of the ministerial office, is prudence. Here, the wisdom of the serpent, and the harmlessness of the dove should be duly blended. Indiscretion in conduct and conversation will low

er, and even sink the reputation of a minister, dishonor his office, and either lessen or destroy his usefulness.

The want of prudence, will cloud the brightest talents and eclipse the most shining abilities; no knowledge of language, no degree of science, not even religion itself, seems to be sufficient to compensate this loss. But, infidelity holds up its head, and religion mourns and languishes, while its advocates are daily exposing themselves by their follies. O! how highly necessary is it, that the ambassadors of Christ, who negotiate a momentous treaty of peace, between the offended majesty of heaven and earth and his rebellious subjects, should exercise the utmost circumspection, and carefully observe the different circumstances of time and place, of character and tempers, lest sinners should perish-the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom suffer the honour of God be sullied, and the great design of their mission frustrated by their own indiscretion.

Secondly, We proceed to consider, how a minister must execute this solemn charge.

Here, we are not to suppose that the whole of our duty is confined to the pulpit, to the house of God, or to the congregation where we statedly labour; but, that it extends, in a degree, to the presbytery, the synod, the general assembly to which we belong, and, even to the church of Christ, yet more extensively. Let no one, then, suppose that he faithfully performs his duty, while he neglects it in any of these departments.

At present we have time only to treat of the pulpit performances, which indeed contain the most important part of the minister's work.

1st. He must preach with plainness and simplicity of style. This may not be altogether calculated to please

the fancy, and to offer incense to our own vanity, yet, it is well suited to inform the judgment, and reach the heart. And indeed, it must be considered as a sad symptom on hearers, when they are disposed to have their fancies pleased in serious and solemn subjects; and a symptom not less sad on preachers, when they make it their business to gratify this disposition. As well may the physician undertake to cure a fever, and bind up a broken bone, with fine set music, as the minister to heal the disease of sin, and bind up the broken hearted, with flowers of language or strokes of wit. Dare he hope to receive a crown for his fidelity, who coldly entertains his hearers with accomplished trifles, while he ought in the most healing and animated manner, to proclaim to them those great truths of the gospel, which justly ar, rest the attention of angels and of men! There is a natural and commanding eloquence arising from a deep sense of the subject, from an ardent love for souls, and from zeal for the glory of God, wherein the speaker forgets himself, that of all others, is the most powerful rhetorick and I believe these are the discourses which God usually owns, and condescends to bless.

66

2d. A minister must be awfully careful, that he may be able to say with the apostle, "I have not shunned to declare unto you, all the counsel of God;" that, at parting from his people, he may again make the apostle's language his own, and say, "I am pure from the blood of all men." To be charged with the blood of men is, awful, but, to be charged with the blood of their souls, and that by the eternal God, before whom we are soon to stand, carries something in it which language is too feeble to express.

To avoid this, we must endeavour to awaken those who securely sleep in sin; teach bold transgressors the error of their ways, and danger of their state; show them the wrath that hangs over their heads, and the destruction which lies beneath them: and, in the most persuasive and pathetic manner, beseech them to flee for refuge, before the storm of divine indignation overtake them, and they welter in flames which can never be quenched. We are also to bring to them the free offers and precious promises of the gospel; set before them the heavenly rest, and paradise of joy-the crown that can never fade, and the kingdom that can never be moved; but above all, we are, if possible, to constrain them by the love and sufferings of a Saviour. We are to set forth Jesus Christ crucified before them, pouring forth his blood in making atonement for sin, and pouring out his soul in making intercession for transgressors. Yes, like Philip in Samaria, we must preach CHRIST to our people. We must open up his boundless fulness and all-sufficiency, his rich grace and infinite compassion as a Saviour-show them their own insufficiency, and the defect of every other refuge, and the last necessity which they are under of depending only on him for life and salvation. We must make known the terms of their interest in him, and acceptance with God through him ; in a word, we must, comparatively, neither know nor preach any thing among them, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. To him all the lines of our discourses should bend, and in him terminate. We must also lead weary and heavy laden sinners to this Saviour, support weak believers; defeat the dangerous errors of the times, and, in fine, do all that is in our power, which tends to turn