having nothing, and yet possessing all things"."

But though the Gospel thus assures us that Godliness hath the promise of this life," in addition to that of the world to come, it is very far from building our service of Christ mainly on this principle. That is to rest on the sense of obligation, upon duty and love; ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." Nevertheless, out of condescension to the weakness of the flesh, the peace of God has been promised in our hearts in recompence for earthly troubles; ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you"." In the strength of this assurance the Apostles went forth to their task; in their lives they give evidence of its truth. The peace of God cheered their spirits, elevated their thoughts, and confirmed their zeal. The experience of spiritual joys enabled them to endure afflictions, to do the work of

b 2 Cor. vi. 10.

d John xvi. 22.

1 Cor. vi. 20.

evangelists, and to make full proof of their ministry.

at

Efficacious then as the promise was in sustaining their energy and enlarging their exertions, it becomes of interest to enquire whether it extends to the labourers in the Lord's vineyard at the present day. The difficulties, which the Minister of the Gospel now meets, are different rather in degree than in kind from the opposition offered to the Apostles. "The carnal mind is" still as much as ever enmity with God." In every one born into the world "the flesh lusteth against the Spirit," and he whose office it is to check and eradicate the evil principle, must lay his account with suffering from its hostility. The contradiction of sinners may not now proceed to personal violence; but sensitive minds can easily be pained; and a thorough discipline of patience may be administered even where the power to hurt the body is denied. Insensibility to such assaults, or indifference to the spiritual state of those amongst whom it is our lot to minister, cannot here be contemplated. e Rom. viii. 7.

The Pastor who sorrows not for the spiritual defects of those committed to his charge, and who has no compassion for "them that are ignorant and out of the way,"would find no "tribulation," provided his worldly circumstances were prosperous; but, on the other hand, would he not have lost the badge of the faithful Minister of Christ? He would be wanting in that watchfulness which becomes those "who have to give account for souls;" and in that zeal which "travaileth in birth until Christ be formed" in them. To the faithful Minister there will assuredly be always much tribulation in the world; and if so, we may consider the words of the chief Shepherd, "in me ye shall have peace," addressed not merely to the eleven Apostles, but unto those who to the end of the world should succeed them in the office of Evangelists.

If such then be the nature of our duty, and if our earnestness in the work depends much upon the spiritual delight we receive from it, is there not danger lest, if we have not "counted the cost," we may after a time become "weary and faint in

our minds;" lest having put our hand to the plough, we in heart turn back from the work? The ministry of God's word and sacraments is so awfully important to mankind, that if unsuccessful in our hands, it involves no mean responsibility. But if the failure arises, not from incapacity, but from disappointment at the nature of the service, and secret dislike to the more painful parts of it, this is indeed. a grievous sin. It is very much as if we betrayed our Master with a kiss. We call ourselves his Ministers, while in fact we obstruct his kingdom. Then may those, who perhaps would have been won to righteousness by the ministration of a more faithful Pastor, attribute their everlasting misery to us, and the anguish of such a thought will prove to the guilty soul a worm that dieth not.

But without contemplating such an extreme dereliction of duty, may not much guilt be incurred while the young Clergyman is acquiring habits and feelings, without which he ought not to have offered himself for the ministry? By the grace of God he may acquire them; but will he not

then look back with pain upon that part of his ministry which must have been greatly defective, if not actually injurious? We cannot therefore reflect too seriously upon the difficulties and troubles we shall meet with in our path, before we enter upon it; for even if our motives are pure in desiring the ministerial office, yet unless we have well considered the nature of our duty, we shall meet with disappointment, and thereby be needlessly discouraged. Let us briefly notice then some of the chief sources of tribulation, which the stewards of the mysteries of God must in these days be prepared to meet, and the happiness attendant upon overcoming the world.

First then, the Minister of Christ has much to forego with regard both to worldly objects and pursuits. It argues but ill of our sense of ministerial responsibility, if our habits and notions are as secular as those of the world at large. It is not consistent with the solemn character of an "ambassador for Christ," to have the same pursuits, the same amusements, the same conversation, as those who do not watch for souls. The first teachers of