THE

CHARACTER OF A TRUE MISSIONARY,

&c.

AND the Lord said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.-LUKE xiv. 23.

It appears that God, in his gracious dispensations, in order to bestow his favours, or to facilitate the execution of the eternal designs of his love, has always employed two kinds of men to be the Ministers of his mercy or his power. Thus when he would establish his law, and call to himself a peculiar people, he chose Moses to be his legislator, and Aaron to make known his will. He gave to the first the conduct of Israel, and to the second the charge of remonstrating with Pharaoh. So also when he would found his Church in the latter day, "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." Some of these he appointed

to govern his Church, and to have the ministry of the circumcision; whilst others, like Paul, were to declare the name of Jesus to people and kings, even to the ends of the earth.

Thus also when God, in these last days, would correct the lukewarmness and impiety in his Church, and call the new world to the knowledge of his truth; he chose for this great work Ignatius and Xavier * He gave to the one the spirit and wisdom of a patriarch, to the other the courage and zeal of an Apostle. By the one he formed that order which has in every place, by its wisdom and discipline, so mightily strengthened his Church. By the other he has called those idolatrous nations in which his name was not known, and where, till then, no way was made for his Gospel; and thus made the old and the new world one in his beloved Son.

All the earth was thus divided between these two great men. Their charity could only be thus limited; and to give scope to their zeal, it was needful to assign to each a world! But we shall this day confine our ideas to Xavier. Let us, then, consider this Apostle of God. Let us fol

* Many hope that Ignatius was a good man, though the society he formed became so wicked. He was a Nobleman, and a Commander in the Spanish army. But all allow Xavier to have been a good man.— -We may hope that he will not be found, in that day, among those denounced by the CHIEF SHEPHERD. Matt. vii. 22-24.

low him through his mighty labours, asking of God to partake of the light and love which he bestowed upon his servant; that we may speak worthily of such a character!

There is nothing so contrary to the Spirit of God, as for a man to thrust himself into the ministry of the word, or the government of the Church; as there is nothing so dangerous as the duties to which men are called therein. But there is nothing so noble, or so truly great, as to be called into it by God, sustained in its duties, and at last crowned by his hand. This is the glory of that faithful labourer of whom I speak. You will see in my Discourse, and in his vocation, I. A work which God commands. II. A courage which God supports. III. An enterprise which God blesses. "Go!" Behold his mission! "Compel them to come in!" Behold his labour ! "That my

house may be filled." Behold his success! This shall be the subject of my Discourse.

When God, to whom belongs the work of the salvation of men, would reveal his righteousness and truth unto the earth, he makes an election of mercy: And in forming the instruments capable of declaring his will, he makes an election of ministry. As it is the word of God by which men are called, and as "faith cometh by hearing," the vocation of those who believe supposes the mission

of the others. Thus he shows his power in converting nations by the feeble voice of man; and his goodness, in giving to his servants such an exercise of the talents committed to their trust. that

Thus when the fulness of time was come, he would open a new world to his Gospel, he raised up Xavier for so difficult an enterprise. He gave him qualities suited to his work;-an elevated mind, a courageous spirit, a gentleness that was proof against every provocation, and patience that never was wearied in well doing. He gave him knowledge to oppose and convince gainsayers, zeal and charity to surmount difficulties, and to suffer all the persecutions which Jesus Christ declares his followers shall meet with. In a word, he gave him the knowledge and the spirit of an Apostle.

There are three things which meet in an apostolic Minister. He must be chosen; he must be proved; he must love the labour, and fear the honour, of his employment. He must be chosen, that he may be supported by the necessity of obedience, and not by the vanity of his mind. He must be proved, that he may not walk in strait paths, or on the brink of precipices, which he has not viewed. He must love the labour, and fear the honour, that he may not abuse his power, be betrayed into sinful compliances, and soften his message through desire or fear.