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BV 4010 .C6 1809 
 Cowan, John, d. 1817. 
 The duties of the gospel 
 minister 
 
THE DUTIES OF THE GOSPEL MINISTER. 
 
 SERMON, 
 
 PREACHED AT 
 
 THE ORIDIJV^TIOJ^ 
 
 REV, ANDREW SYMINGTON, 
 
 To the pastoral charge of the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation, 
 Paisley. April 26, 1809. 
 
 BY JOHN COWAN, 
 
 Minister of the gospel, stranraer. 
 
 Published at the request of the hearers* 
 
 Printed by Stephen young, Cumberland, 
 1809. 
 
A SERMON, <Se. 
 
 1 Timothy iv. 16. Take heed unto thyself^ and 
 unto the doctrine; continue in them: fcn^ in doing 
 this thou shall both save thyselfy and them that 
 hear thee. 
 
 The Lord Jehovah is King of Zion. This kingdom 
 he has formed for himself, and all dominion and 
 power shall serve and obey him. This is the place 
 where he desires to dwell, and out of which he 
 shines gloriously. From his mercy seat, and from 
 between the two cherubims he communes with his 
 people. But, the better to suit himself to the capa- 
 city of his subjects, he generally conducts his admi- 
 nistrations by the instrumentality of chosen men, — 
 men of like passions with others. He puts the trea- 
 sure in the earthen vessel, that it may be the more 
 accessible to his children, and that the excellency of 
 the power may be of him. During the old testa^ 
 ment age, we find Moses, Joshua, and a long succes- 
 sion of high-priests and priests taken from among 
 their brethren, and ordained by God to manage the 
 important services of that ancient hierarchy. And 
 even when Jesus the servant and elect of his Father 
 appears, he is beheld in all things made like unto 
 Jiis brethren J being a partaker of fiech and blood. 
 
that he might be a merciful and faithful high-priest 
 in things pertaining to God. He, indeed, possessed 
 of all power, appoints new forms, orders and regula- 
 tions in his church; but, still he retains the official 
 services of chosen men; *' And he gave sotne^ apos- 
 tles; and some J prophets; and somc^ evangelists; and 
 soi/ie, jyasiors and teachers; For the perfecting of the 
 saints^ for ilie xvorJc of tlie ministry^ fo7^ the edifying 
 oj ihe body of Chris t''* 
 
 Th. apostles, after the ascension of Jesus, by the 
 descent of the Holy Ghost on the day of pentecost, 
 were endowed with power and authorised to go and 
 p^. ach the gospel to every creature. By this unction 
 thoy were also qualified as wise master-builders, for 
 the work assigned them: and enabled to persevere 
 in opposition to all the difficulties and obstructions, 
 that were thrown in their way by the enemies of 
 Christianity, with a design to suppress it in its tender 
 years. This Spirit is an abiding Spirit, though not 
 in the apostolic form ; and this office of preaching the 
 gospel is by it rendered permanent. This office is not, 
 however, accessible to all those, who may pretend 
 to more cmlnvnt abilities and greater piety than the 
 rest of mankind. It must be subjected to form and 
 order. It must be conveyed in the name and by the 
 authority of Zion's Lord. Such solemnity is neces- 
 sary to iruard a;jainst intrusion; to secure the sacred 
 nature of the office; and to give importance and au- 
 thority to those by whom it is duly executed. In the 
 'nct-n-ees of Timothy and Titus, we see the forms of 
 
 ^ Epli. Iv. 11, 12. 
 
5 
 
 the church reduced to practice; these men of gifts 
 were solemnly ordained by the laying on of the hands 
 of the presbytery, and they were commanded; *' to 
 commit*^ this trust " to faithful men xvho slmll be able 
 to teach others also''* In the epistles which Paul 
 writes to these two evangelists, he gives us a view of 
 the solemnity and difficulties of this office, and the 
 qualifications and duties of those who officiate. From 
 the 6th verse of this chapter we have some very ap- 
 propriate directions to Timothy respecting his con- 
 duct and public administrations. These are conclud- 
 ed with the text in which Paul addresses this young 
 minister with a seriousness and concern, that must 
 make a deep impression on the mind of every one 
 who can for a moment put himself in young Timo- 
 thy's place; " Take heed unto tliy self and uiito the 
 doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou 
 shalt both save thyself^ and them that hear thee^ 
 
 I shall endeavour to illustrate this text, by consi- 
 dering, 
 
 I. The objects respecting himself to which the 
 gospel minister should attend. II. A few things 
 respecting his doctrine to which he should attend. 
 III. The blessed end which the gospel minister 
 serves by taking heed to himself and his doctrine. 
 And then conclude with a short improvement of 
 the subject. 
 
 Upon the first of these things, I remark, 
 
 1 . The gospel minister must take heed to his own 
 personal religion. 
 
 * 2 Tim. ii. 2, 
 
True religion is a radical qualification for the want 
 of which nothing can compensate; though one were 
 to preach with the tongues of men or of angels, and 
 have not charity, he becomes as a sounding brass, or 
 a tinkling cymbal. These important inquiries into 
 the state of the soul, which should be made by chris- 
 tians in general, ought to be carried on with peculi- 
 ar care and interest by the minister of Jesus: lest 
 when he has preached Christ to others, himself 
 should be a cast-away. He must take heed to the 
 existence of religion in his soul, and endeavour to as- 
 certain whether Christ be in him, or he be a repro- 
 bate. He should frequently institute a trial, and can- 
 didly examine himself; " ^whether he be in thefaithJ* 
 He should explore the secrets of his own mind; lest 
 he be like the whited sepulchre, full of rottenness 
 within. He must take heed to the different powers 
 and faculties of the soul. The little leaven should 
 leaven the whole lump. True religion diffuses its vir- 
 tues through the whole heart: it affects every power 
 of the mind: the understanding is made spiritual; the 
 affections heavenly, the will obedient, and the con- 
 science faithful. The whole heart is renewed and 
 becomes like the chariots of Amminadib. The vi- 
 gour and progress of grace should be closely observ- 
 ed: faith, love, repentance and the various graces of 
 the Spirit admit of diHerent degrees, they do not 
 come to perfection at once: like the seed sown on the 
 good ground, they spring, they grow and they bring 
 forth fruit; " but grow in grace" This growth 
 should be realized and its progress should be careful- 
 ly ascertained. There is another idea respecting the 
 
growth of grace which merits similar attention, and 
 it is, the influence that this grace has in mortifying 
 corruption. A minister is not to preach him.self, 
 but Jesus Christ; pride and boasting must therefore 
 be excluded. His doctrines should be pure and he 
 is to enforce purity of heart and life. He must not, 
 then, yield his own members the instruments of un- 
 righteousness unto sin. He should study to purify 
 his own heart from all pollution of flesh and spirit, 
 and perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. The 
 opposition maintained between the law in the mem- 
 bers, and the law in the mind, requires particular at- 
 tention. From this quarter the minister of Jesus 
 collects much of his experimental knowledge. Here 
 he sees the deceitfulness of his own heart, the cun- 
 ning of Satan, and the insinuating nature of sin and 
 temptation. This knowledge prepares him to fight 
 with skill against principalities, and powers and spi- 
 ritual wickedness in high places. It fits him, too, for 
 trying the experiences, and directing himself with 
 judgment and truth to the hearts and consciences 
 of his hearers. Personal religion might lead our at- 
 tention to many of the duties in the life and conver- 
 sation of the minister; but these I dismiss at present, 
 and shall conclude what I have said on this particu- 
 lar by adding, that personal religion well understood, 
 and judiciously improved must inspire a minister with 
 confidence in the discharge of his duty, it must ren- 
 der his services pleasant to himself, and it must dif- 
 fuse through all his discourses, a seriousness and hea- 
 venly spirit, calculated to secure the attention and 
 arouse the devotion of his auditorv. 
 
8 
 
 2. The gospel minister must take heed to his own 
 improvement in knowledge, and in fitness for his 
 official work. 
 
 He has an important trust committed to his care; he 
 is therefore to labour in word and in doctrine. A dis- 
 position for study is a necessary gift in the minister of 
 Christ: he must be contemplative, given to reflection, 
 and bent on inquiry and improvement. His stock of 
 knowledge should be daily increasing; he should go 
 along with the growing knowledge and real im- 
 provements of the age in which he lives. To search 
 the scriptures should be his first work; they are the 
 text-book of all theological study, the criterion of all 
 genuine improvement. He should look into the sa- 
 cred page with the eye of faith, that he may in the 
 first place believe for himself its gracious report. He 
 must study it as the sacred repository of the fulness 
 of the gospel, that he may be able to break the bread 
 of life for others, and give every one his portion in 
 due season. It must be examined, likewise, with 
 critical acumen, that truth may be sufficiently con- 
 firmed, and false doctrine fully exposed. The most 
 particular attention is necessary in preparing discour- 
 ses for the public. Here the minister appears as a 
 city set upon a hill, that cannot be hid. His prepa- 
 rations should be extensive; by these he should fit 
 himself to go through his work in a masterly man- 
 ner, to do credit to his office, and to secure the re- 
 spect of all to the gospel which he preaches. For this • 
 part of his work, prayer, meditation, reading and 
 reflection must surely be recommended. The im- 
 portance of the subject and the real situation of those 
 
9 
 
 to whom it shall be addressed should Impress the 
 mind in all this preparatory exercise. 
 
 General knowledge, too, should be regarded as a 
 happy acquisition; " Give attendmice to reading,^' "^ 
 The knowledge of arts and sciences, the knowledge 
 of history, natural, civil and ecclesiastical is highly 
 ornamental ; it gives a beautiful polish to these shafts 
 in the hand of God; a portion of it is expected in 
 every public character. This general knowledge 
 greatly improves the mind ; it gives an extension of 
 thought and accuracy of judgment; it gives great as* 
 sistance in illustrating many passages of scripture, 
 and fits for acting with propriety both in the church 
 and in the world. 
 
 The knowledge of human nature and of the world 
 merits, likewise, some attention; hke Paul, a minister 
 should become all things to all men; that he may 
 by all means save some. Human nature has its pe- 
 cuHar feelings, partialities, dispositions and preju- 
 dices; the ambitious in the world know how to take 
 advantage of these, so as to procure for their devices 
 very general approbation. These may likewise be 
 made subservient to the interest of the gospel, and 
 men, as it were, caught by guile. Surely such as 
 are ignorant of these cannot fail of irritating the 
 mind sometimes when they design to sooth, and of 
 provoking greater prejudice when they intend to 
 conciliate favour. A knowledge of the world, in its 
 prevailing corruptions and temptations, in the popu- 
 lar taste and manners of the age, in the circumstances 
 
 * 1 Tim. iv. 13. 
 B 
 
w 
 
 in which men are placed, and the influence that the^tf 
 circumstances have both on their religious sentiments 
 and conduct, is no mean acquisition: this enables a 
 minister to weigh the characters of men with candour^, 
 and to censure where it is due, with accuracy and 
 judgment. In public administration, suffice it at pre- 
 sent to say, a minister should be grave in his ap- 
 pearance, interesting in his discourse, prepossessing, 
 in his manner, and impressive in his address. 
 
 3. The gospel minister should take heed to his 
 general conduct. 
 
 The eyes of the world are upon the minister of 
 Christ, and although it should often forget that he is 
 a minister, yet it is never at the time when he forgets 
 it himself. It is ever disposed to contrast any impro- 
 priety in his conduct with the most sacred idea in thts 
 ministerial office. He should therefore study great 
 circumspection, he should resemble the four living 
 creatures in the vision of John* which were '^full of 
 eyes behind and before J* A minister's life should ex- 
 emplify his doctrine, on him it is reasonably expected 
 to operate first; he should make his light so shine 
 before men that they seeing his good deeds may glo- 
 rify his heavenly Father. This will display the use- 
 fulness of his doctrines, and naturally induce to a more 
 ready compliance with his instructions. His conduct 
 is the test of his sincerity, it is a model to others, 
 and if he should fail in one point he is generally con- 
 sidered to be guilty of all; his failure is apt to destroy 
 all his usefulness, and will often be mentioned by the 
 
 • Rev. iv.. ev 
 
11 
 
 wicked, v/ith an impious and extatic triumph, as a 
 sanction to their grosser immoralities. He should 
 therefore study much uniformity, and not be charge- 
 able, like the ministers of old, with straining at a gnat 
 and swallowing a camel. He should be like the ru- 
 by which reflects the light from its many polished 
 surfaces; from whatever direction he is viewed, the 
 light of truth and the beauty of holiness should be 
 seen. As an individual, he must be " blameless^ 
 the husband of one Trtfe, vigilant, sober, of good 
 hehwciour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not 
 given to xoine: A pattern of good *works, of good re- 
 port of them that are xdthout; a, lover of good men, 
 just, holy, temperate, exercised unto godliness. ^^ 
 In his family, he must study to exercise his talents 
 for government, for instruction and for discipline; 
 he is " to ride xvell having his children in sidyecticm 
 mth all gravity ,^^ In the church in general he is 
 not to assume the pre-eminence, like Diotrephes, or, 
 like the haughty dignitary, lord over the heritage of 
 God. In the congregation over which he is placed, 
 he must take heed to his authority and suffer no man 
 to despise him. He must support the character, main- 
 tain the dignity of a public teacher, and endeavour to 
 secure the respect, obedience and attention of those 
 among whom he labours. To his people, and indeed 
 to all with whom he is conversant, he should study to 
 endear himself by prudently blending together his 
 dignity and familiarity, his authority and condescen- 
 sion, his religious reserve and innocent freedom 5 
 attending still to the particular time appointed for 
 every work under the sun. In all his exercises he 
 
12 
 
 should display the affection of a father, the friendship 
 of a brother, and the earnestness of one who beseech- 
 es in Christ's stead to be reconciled to God. 
 
 4. The gospel minister should take heed to culti- 
 vate in himself those gifts and dispositions, which fit 
 for the ministerial function and adorn the ministerial 
 character. 
 
 These indeed are numerous, and some of them 
 have been occasionally introduced in what has alrea- 
 dy been said ; but there are others of such importance 
 to the right discharge of the ministerial office, as to 
 merit a distinct treatment. I shall only mention a few 
 of them, and shall give the first place to prudence. 
 Prudence is that faculty by which a man is directed 
 to do, on all occasions, what is most fit to be done. 
 By it a minister adopts the most proper season, and 
 gives the most acceptable and effectual tone to all his 
 administrations: " The prudent man Jbreseeth evil.*' 
 Christ Jesus recommends a prudent conduct to his 
 disciples in the following maxim; '' Be ye mse as 
 serpents and harmless as doves.'*'* Solomon, likewise, 
 with his usual beauty of sentiment and simplicity of 
 expression, gives it a high character in the following 
 passages; " IVhen xdsdom enter eth into thy heart, 
 and Imou'ledge is pleasant unto thy soul, discretion 
 shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.^i 
 " The words of the mse are heard in quiet more 
 than the cry of him that ruleth amwig fools,'' \ Im- 
 prudence is very dangerous in every situation, but 
 particularly so in the church of God; it never fails 
 
 • Mat. X. 16, I Prov. il. 10, 11. \ Eccl. Ix. 17. 
 
13 
 
 to raise Stumbling-blocks, to aggravate offences, and 
 produce confusion; it should, therefore, be stu- 
 diously restrained, and a contrary conduct atten- 
 tively cultivated. 
 
 Meekness and patience do likewise merit our atten- 
 tion. The exercise of these in the peculiar circum- 
 stances in which Christ was placed forms a striking 
 trait in his character: in this should the servant re- 
 semble his Lord. A bishop should not be self-will- 
 ed, he should not be soon angry, he should be' no 
 striker, no brawler, not a novice lifted up with pride; 
 but he should be patient and should endure with all 
 long suffering. 
 
 To be denied to the world is a disposition recom- 
 mended to the study of the minister of Christ: he 
 is not to be greedy of filthy lucre, he is not to be 
 covetous, he is to take the oversight of his flock 
 " not for Jilthy lucre^s sake,'* It is necessary, how- 
 ever, here to add, that ministers are not called, by 
 these scriptural directions, to dismiss all concern 
 about temporal objects. An inordinate love of the 
 world, which is blamable in every person, is all that 
 is rebuked in them. A minister, if he is a husband, 
 parent or master, is under sacred obligations to pro- 
 vide for them of his own house. A comfortable sup- 
 port is therefore expected from those among whom 
 he labours; and his right to this is equally moral and 
 independent, with the right of the labourer to his 
 hire. Nor is family subsistence all that he is to ex- 
 pect: he has surely a right to a return bearing an 
 equitable proportion to his large expenditure in fitting 
 himself for the duties of his ofBce. Pecuniary mat- 
 
14 
 
 ters, however, should be cautiously treated, and the 
 usefulness of a minister and peace of a congregation 
 should not be sacrificed for filthy lucre's sake. 
 
 Steadiness is another commendable qualification. 
 A minister must not be soon shaken, he must conti- 
 nue and abide by the truth, " rooted and established 
 in the faith J^ — The last thing I shall mention here 
 is perseverance; this must include in it vigour, reso- 
 lution and activity, and, in this view of it, it is a gift 
 of no small importance. By it the minister is fitted 
 to abound always in the work of the Lord knowing 
 that his labour shall not be in vain, supported in 
 fighting the fight of faith, and made instant in season 
 and out of season: by this faculty he is preserved 
 from that supineness and lukewarmness which betray 
 the mind into the guilt and danger of hiding its 
 Lord's talent in the earth. 
 
 IL I shall now consider a few things respecting his 
 docti^ine to which a gospel minister should attend. 
 
 1 . He must take heed that his doctrine be true and 
 scriptural. " Thus saith the Lord^'' is the sacred 
 authority of the scriptures. " Ifseemeth good to 
 the Holy Ghost speaking in the word^'* or " thus it 
 is written^'' is the powerful argument used by the 
 minister of Jesus. This confirms his doctrine and 
 interpretation, and commands the assent of his hear- 
 ers. The scriptures are the balance of the sanctu- 
 ary adjusted by the veracity and righteousness of 
 God. This is to be used in Zion which is " the city 
 of tnith:* « To the law and to the testimony: if 
 they speak not according to this word, it is because 
 there is no light in thm^' Scripture truth is ever 
 
15 
 
 to be mentioned as sacred; to pervert it is. to mter^ 
 meddle presumptuously with the sacred authority of 
 heaven. It is the rule of faith and of practice. 
 
 In searching after truth, however, it is necessary 
 to examine the spirit as well as the letter of scrip- 
 ture: " The letter killeth^ the spirit make th alive.'* 
 It is possible to pervert the letter of scripture, so as 
 to make it support the most gross sentiments and war- 
 rant the worst of practices. It may be compelled to 
 blaspheme, to contradict itself, and to suppress that 
 very spirit which it is designed to breathe. But let 
 the scriptures be studied in their uniformity, in their 
 analogy and in the system they contain; let their first 
 principles and evangelical spirit be examined ; surely 
 they bring glad tidings of great joy, and the words 
 that they speak are spirit and life. It is not meant by 
 this that the letter of scripture is to be disregarded; 
 for surely scripture languge is best for expressing 
 scripture ideas, and we can have no rational prospect 
 of attaining the knowledge of divine truth, without 
 attending to the language in which it is conveyed. 
 To think that the gospel is a system of sublime mys- 
 ticism, taught by the Spirit without the word, or 
 discovered in the word by a lively and enthusiastic 
 imagination, is an absurdity exploded by the common 
 sense of mankind. It seems, upon the whole, to be 
 the most scriptural and successful plan to join word 
 and spirit together, to search the scriptures daily 
 and to implore the Spirit to lead and guide into all 
 truth. To refer divine truth to the decisions of rea- 
 son is absurd. To reduce it by a false philosophy 
 to a system of morality which at best only points at 
 
16 
 
 the external virtues of life and propriety of conduct, 
 is to overlook its most sublime part, and to dismiss 
 the love of God from it which is its first principle 
 and first command. The blaze of superstition, and 
 the varying play of human invention are equally hos- 
 tile to the simple doctrines of the gospel. In opposi- 
 tion to all these balances of deceit, the minister must 
 still apply to the balance of the sanctuary: all his doc- 
 trines and instructions must be warranted by this 
 standard. The faith of believers can receive nothing 
 else ; the soul can be fed by no other provision ; the 
 glory of God can shine through no other medium. 
 So the preacher of Jesus must ever " speak the "words 
 that become sound doctrine. In doctrine' ' he must 
 " show uncorruptness, graviti/^ sincerity J' 
 
 2. The gospel minister should take heed, that his 
 doctrine be important, useful, and enriched with all 
 the fulness of grace. 
 
 A sermon may be composed strictly according to 
 the line of abstract truth, and yet be of very little ad- 
 vantage to the cause of religion. Like mathematical 
 demonstration, principles maybe confirmed, and still 
 their application may lie concealed. This is undoubt- 
 edly the characteristic of scholastic divinity, so much 
 studied in former ages. In some instances it is dif- 
 ficult to say whether their abstruse propositions are 
 true or false; and equally difficult to see any good 
 end that they serve. By too much abstraction the 
 gospel is reduced to a skeleton of truths. It may 
 resemble Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones,* bone 
 
 • Chap, xxxvii. 
 
17 
 
 comes to his bone but there is no flesh on them ; so 
 truth may be joined to its kindred truth, and yet be 
 clothed with httle of the fulness of the grace of God. 
 The doctrines of the gospel should ever be set 
 forth in their relation to God; in this relation they 
 maintain their true importance. They give a dis- 
 covery of his glory, perfections, purposes and grace. 
 In their own nature they are spiritual, sacred, hea- 
 venly and divine. In their relation to man, they 
 must exhibit the one thing needful, they are de- 
 signed to convey life into his soul and offer him 
 the great salvation; they must present him with the 
 weapons of his warfare. The doctrine that posses- 
 ses these ideas, and is preached in these connexions, 
 must recommend itself to the attention of every con- 
 siderate hearer. A minister should study to render 
 his doctrine extensively useful. Scarcely have we one 
 truth recorded in scripture, but its usefulness is set 
 down along with it; it always bears on some one part 
 of conduct or another. Doctrine should therefore 
 be practical, and well applied to heart and life. It 
 is profitable for reproof, correction, instruction in 
 righteousness* The precious fulness of Christ must 
 receive a due attention from the minister of the 
 gospel. This is the river which makes glad the city 
 of God. The gospel is a feast, a feast of love for 
 the friends of Jesus. " Wisdom hath killed licr 
 beasts^ she hath mingled her mne^'* and she sends 
 forth the ministers of the gospel to invite in her 
 name. " Come eat of my breads and drink of the 
 xdne that I have mingled.''* This is " a feast of fat 
 
 * pro. ix. 2—5, 
 C 
 
IS 
 
 things, a feast of mnes an the lees, of fat things^ 
 fullofmarroxc, (f mnes on the lees well refined J''* 
 It is " "icater and milk mthout money and mthout 
 priceJ"\ Christ in the gospel gives his flesh for 
 meat and his blood for drink; he is set forth cruci- 
 fied and slain; this is the bread and water of life,. 
 this is the word by which men live, and to which a 
 minister should take heed in preaching the doctrines 
 of the cross of Christ. 
 
 3. Tlie gospel minister should take heed that his 
 doctrines comprehend the whole of divine truth* 
 Paul shunned not to declare the whole counsel of 
 God. " The "words of the Lm^d are pure words;; 
 as tried silver,*^ The truths of God are all sacred j 
 none of theni are superfluous; and none of them 
 should be treated by the minister with indifference. 
 The summit of divine knowledge indeed is not at- 
 tainable m this life; but from strength to strength 
 he should proceed umveariedly in the laudable search 
 of truth. It is supposed that he has made more con- 
 siderable progress in the discovery of it than others. 
 *' The priest's lips shoidd keep Imowledge, and they 
 should seek the law at his mouth ''i And if he may 
 still remain ignorant of many things, as none can by 
 searching fmd out God to perfection; yet, surely,, 
 for wilful ignorance, for prejudice at the truth, for 
 policy in concealing it, or for negligence in the 
 study of it, no excuse can be found. These are 
 base in themselves and exceedingly hurtful to the 
 cai^e of religion. Truths may be considered, in^ 
 
 * Isa. XXV. 6. f Tsa. Iv. J. | Mai. iU 7. 
 
19 
 
 deed, of greater or of lesser importance, when 
 compared among themselves; but this distinction 
 cannot warrant the extrusion of any of them from 
 the creed of the church; as on these that are consi- 
 dered the branches of this tree of divine knowledge, 
 as well as on those that are more radical, fruit may- 
 be found, and even on the tops of their uppermost 
 boughs. 
 
 There is a great variety of doctrines in the word 
 of God, and they all claim the attention of the 
 preacher of truth and righteousness. There are doc- 
 trines that respect the glory, will, and works of 
 God — doctrines that respect the creation, fall, and 
 redemption of man — doctrines that respect the con- 
 stitution, w^orship, ordinances and government of the 
 church— doctrines that respect the organization and 
 administrations of civil society — and doctrines that 
 bear on every relation in w^hich man is placed, teach- 
 ing him to hve soberly, righteously and godly in the 
 world. All these deser^^e to be carefully considered 
 and faithfully applied. The gospel is a complete 
 system; ail its parts in their different dependencies 
 must be regularly fitted together; to lop off any of 
 them must considerably mar the whole; for one 
 truth cannot say to another, " / have no need of 
 thee^ Those truths in the gospel that are consider- 
 ed least essential, and farthest removed from the 
 radical principles of Christianity, may resemble the 
 active limbs and arms, hands and feet, that hold a 
 similar position in the human body. They may -be 
 rendered very serviceable in the cause of Christianity 
 and religion. 
 
20 
 
 4. The gospel minister must take heed that his 
 doctrine be seasonable and well applied. 
 
 " A xvordfitfy spoken is like apples of gold in 
 pictures of silver,''* " To every thing there is a 
 season,** There are, indeed, certain doctrines of 
 the gospel that are never unseasonable 5 the staff of 
 bread and stay of water must be always administer- 
 ed. Th^re are others that are to be more sparingly 
 used. As the frequency of medicine defeats its 
 own end, and the continual use of over-nice delica- 
 cies may be sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the 
 belly; so, by dwelling too much upon party peculi- 
 arities, or cridcal disquisitions, a minister may spend 
 his money for that which is not bread and his labour 
 for that which satisfieth not. Although truth is not 
 circumstantial, yet circumstances must regulate in a 
 great measure, the application of it. It must be va- 
 ried to answer the situation of the old men, the 
 young men and children to whom it is preached: 
 new born babes must be fed with the sincere milk of 
 the word; and strong meat must be given to those 
 of full age. Sometimes a minister must assume the 
 appearance of (Boanerges) a son of thunder; at 
 other times he must use a still small voice. He must 
 be simple and explicit to meet the understandings of 
 the unlearned; he must be dexterous and learned to 
 meet the prejudices and sophistry of deceivers; and 
 he must be direct and powerful to suit the situation 
 of the hard hearted and unthinking. Considering 
 this variety in the dispositions of manldnd, it cannot 
 
 s 
 
 • Prov. XX7. U. 
 
21 
 
 be expected that the same discourse can have the 
 like effect on all who hear it ; to some it may be pre- 
 cious and suitable, to others barren and unfruitful. 
 There are peculiar seasons in the dispensations of 
 providence which may properly enough give a pecu- 
 liar direction to a minister's public administrations. 
 He should know the times and what Israel ought to 
 do. The cry to him is, " Watchman ickat of the 
 nighty Watchman rchat of the night?'' There are 
 times for piping and for dancing, there are other 
 times for hanging the harps on the willow trees by 
 the streams of Babylon. There are seasons when 
 immoralities greatly prevail ; against these the mini- 
 ster must give a scriptural testimony and solemn 
 warning. There are seasons when lukewarmness 
 characterizes many in the church of Christ, these 
 call for- the sound of alarm to awake those that 
 sleep. There are times of strong temptation to draw 
 away many from the truth. There are also seasons 
 when infidelity and heresies prevail ; against these 
 the minister must lift up a standard and give a dis- 
 tinct sound. At one time judgments may be threat- 
 ened ; then the minister is called to examine the cause 
 of these, and to show how the danger is to be avoid- 
 ed. At another time blessings m.ay be liberally be- 
 stowed; then the minister must call to sacrifice the 
 sacrifices of thanksgiving. A minister must direct 
 his doctrine to bear on the living controversies of the 
 age and the place in which he lives. There are, in- 
 deed, some obsolete controversies which ought not 
 to be revived; and there are some that deserve no 
 better name than that of profane and vain babblings 
 
22 
 
 which will die of course, but are such obstinate things 
 as just to live the longer for being the more frequent- 
 ly condemned. There are others of considerable im- 
 portance; in these the minister of Christ must inte- 
 rest himself, and contend earnestly for the faith once 
 delivered to the saints. In some of these he may be 
 involved in opposition to the avowed enemies of 
 Christ and of the gospel ; in others he may be oblig- 
 ed to withstand the friends of Jesus to the face be- 
 cause they are to be blamed. Between these he must 
 make a difference, against the one he may declaim 
 with the greater severity, against the other with the 
 greater charity: but still he is to adhere to the form 
 of sound words and overcome by the blood of the 
 Lamb and the word of his testimony. 
 
 5. The gospel minister must take heed to his doc- 
 trine in its operation on the hearts of his hearers. 
 This remark may be considered by some as rather 
 extraneous; but it presents itself so naturally, it con- 
 tains so necessary a part of the minister's duty and is- 
 so closely connected with his attention to his doctrine, 
 that I conceive it ought not to be omitted. In 
 preaching the word a minister prepares the field and 
 sows his seed, but here his cares are not at an end; 
 with a watchful eye and anxious concern he must 
 attend its progress. The choking briars and thorns 
 he must study to remove, the stony ground he 
 must endeavour to clear and enrich, the way-side 
 he must hedge in, and when the fowls come down 
 on his seed he must drive them away. He must 
 watch over the souls of his flock, knowing that he is 
 to give an account to God. The word of God is 
 
23 
 
 designed to do great execution, it is sharp and pow- 
 erful like a two edged sword, it is a hammer to 
 break the hard heart, it is a fire to melt, and a fur- 
 nace to purify the soul. To assist the word in these 
 operations and to ascertain its progress are difficult 
 but important duties. The gospel is a valuable talent 
 bestowed on all those who hear it; a minister should 
 aid his people in putting this talent to usury, and pre- 
 vent them, if possible, from hiding it in the earth. He 
 should exhort them from house to house, pray with 
 them and urge them, by all means in his power, to 
 the active performance of religious duties, and the se- 
 rious improvement of their religious privileges. He 
 should study to promote the work of the Spirit, to sti- 
 mulate the religious convictions of his people, and to 
 strengthen their resolutions and endeavours. He 
 should be accessible to those who are smitten in 
 their hearts, he should tell them what they must do 
 to be saved, and in their perplexities be ready to say, 
 " This is the u-ay walk ye in iL" He should con- 
 firm the doubting, strengthen the weak, and encou- 
 rage the fearful. And in all respects he should 
 study to forward the operation of the little leaven of 
 grace till it leaven the whole lump. 
 
 III. I proceed to consider the blessed ends which 
 a minister serves by taking heed to himself and his 
 doctrine: — " thou shalt both save thyself and them 
 that hear thee." 
 
 In doing this I shall take notice of some blessings 
 in which a minister and his people are common 
 sharers; and of others which are obtained by them 
 respectively. 
 
24 
 
 1 . As resulting from his administrations, the gospel 
 minister and his hearers may be common sharers in the 
 blessings of spiritual and eternal life. There is a close 
 connexion instituted by God between the use of his 
 word and the enjoyment of these great blessings; life 
 and immortality are brought to light by the gospel. 
 Man is naturally ignorant, the god of this world has 
 blinded his mind, he cannot receive the things of the 
 Spirit of God, they are foolishness to him, neither 
 can he know them. The strongest intellect and the 
 most assiduous application without the use of the gos- 
 pel, search in vain for this pearl of great price; every 
 acquisition made by them must declare, ^^ it is not 
 in mef^ but these appointed means by the blessing 
 of God produce the most happy effects. They 
 make wise unto salvation. " For God who com- 
 manded the light to sliine out of darkness^ hath shin- 
 ed into our hearts^ to give the light of the kno'w- 
 ledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 
 But ue have this treasure in earthen vessels^ that 
 the excellency of the poiver may he of God, and not 
 of us.'** Paul after his conversion ventures to boast 
 of the glory and usefulness of this dispensation, 
 which he once considered degrading to his nation, 
 and justly incurring the severest punishment; " / 
 aw," says he, " not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; 
 for it is the power of God unto salvation to every 
 one that helievethJ* Regeneration and conversion 
 are important changes in the nature and life of ii^an; 
 they bring from darkness to light, they make heirs 
 
 • 2 Cor. iv. 6, 7. 
 
of God and joint heirs with Christ. The preaching 
 of the gospel has an honourable place among those 
 means by which they are produced: '' In Christ Je- 
 sus^^ says Paul, " / have hegoilen you il trough the 
 gospel,'* The words of James are similar;* " Of 
 his own will begat he us with the word of truth.'* 
 Peter affirms the same doctrine;! " Being born 
 again, 7iot of corruptible seed, but erf incorruptible, 
 hif the word of God, which Uveth and abide tJi for 
 ever** In this way believers become branches in 
 the true vine. — In this way they are grafted in, and 
 partake of the root and fatness of the true olive tree. 
 In considering the character of the believer, and the 
 various gradations in his spiritual improvement, we 
 are naturally led to attach a considerable value and 
 importance to the means of grace; for whom God 
 predestinated, them he also calls; and whom he 
 calls them he justifies, sanctifies and glorifies. The 
 just shall live by faith; but faith comes by hearing, 
 and hearing by the word of God; " Hear and your 
 soul shall live. How shall they believe in him of 
 whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear 
 without a preacher?** So that man is not to live by 
 bread alone, but on the words that proceed from 
 the mouth of God. 
 
 The minister is not to be excluded from a share 
 of these great blessings which the gospel from his 
 lips imparts to others. It is surely desirable and 
 proper could he, for his own comfort, ascertain his 
 i*egeneration and interest in Christ previously to the 
 
 '^ Chap. i. 18. + i P.pls. i. 23. 
 
m 
 
 commencement of his public services; as without 
 these he neither can act from proper motives, nor ex- 
 pect much success in his work. Yet, supposing him 
 for a time to be a stranger to the Hfe of religion, it is 
 not absurd to conceive that his own words may prove 
 the savour of Hfe unto Hfe to his own soul, and be 
 blessed to call him effectually to the hope of the gos- 
 pel, and bring him out of darkness into God's mar- 
 vellous light. But whatever may be the effect of his 
 administrations on his ovv^n state, it is surely his du- 
 ty, as well as the duty of his hearers, to improve 
 these as the means of promoting the best interest of 
 their souls, and of bringing them to the enjoyment 
 of the blessings of spiritual and eternal life, 
 
 2. The gospel minister, in duly discharging the 
 duties of his office, saves himself and those that hear 
 him, from that lukewarmness about religious matters 
 which too often characterizes the bulk of mankind. 
 
 The disposition of the Laodicean church is one 
 which extensively prevails. Mankind, pleased with 
 fanciful attainments, are ready to put the evil day 
 far from them, and it often happens that a minister's 
 greatest zeal, and most faithful expostulations cannot 
 convince them of this error, nor arouse them from 
 this security. The infatuating evil of procrastination, 
 expressing itself in the words of the wise man, " A 
 little steep, a little slumber, a little folding of the 
 hands to sleep,'* may sometimes baffle his utmost ex- 
 ertions and set at nought his most serious reproofs. 
 Sometimes, too, the most painful preaching of the 
 word, may be a blessing cursed by God; it may 
 make the heart of the people fat, their eyes blind 
 
27 
 
 and their ears heavy. Most frequently, however, it 
 happens otherwise: the lively and conscientious dis- 
 charge of ministerial duties tends to promote the re- 
 ligious exercises both of minister and people. The 
 scripture maxim will generally hold, " Like people^ 
 UkejmesL" A minister as the head of his congrega- 
 tion, may be thought to diffuse generally something 
 of his own spirit through the different members of 
 it; and when that is the spirit of truth and piety, the 
 spirit of zeal and perseverance, it will produce the 
 most happy effects. When a minister is impressed 
 with a sense of his responsibility, alive to the impor- 
 tance of his office, interested in the good and happi- 
 ness of souls, and actuated by the noble principle 
 of love to God, his words must be quick and power- 
 ful, sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing ev- 
 en to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and 
 discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 
 On the other hand, nothing perhaps has a greater 
 tendency to sear the consciences of the people, and 
 produce lukewarmness in religion, than a careless 
 and corrupt ministry; when the blind lead the blind 
 both fall into the ditch. If a minister be a stranger 
 to his study and a sloven in his work; if his servi- 
 ces be wholly formal, and the spirit of the gospel 
 scarcely found in his trite performances ; how can he 
 save himself or his hearers from that insensibility 
 which sets at nought the counsels of the gospel, and 
 will have none of its reproofs? The danger is great. 
 The observation is too frequently reahzed, and it se- 
 riously urges upon the ministers of Jesus the duties 
 of taking heed to themselves and their doctrine, that 
 
28 
 
 they may both save themselves and those who hear 
 them. 
 
 3. The gospel minister, in the faithful discharge 
 of his duty, saves himself and those that hear him 
 from falling by the numerous tem.ptations that beset 
 them, 
 
 Temptations are often very trying and painful to 
 the saints of God. To avoid them is their study, 
 but to stand in the evil day is their duty. Tempta- 
 tions are of various kinds; some of them have their 
 origin in the corrupt heart; every mian is tempted, 
 when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 
 Others proceed from the love of the world which 
 draws away many after it, and from the fear of the 
 world which is a snare to many: and others from sa- 
 tan the tempter, who is master of this seducing art. 
 To these temptations the minister of Jesus must pay 
 attention. He is a watchman, on his watch tower, 
 and should be continually on his guard. He should 
 observe the various operations of these enemies, he 
 must study their different powers and the fascinating 
 arts which they use to deceive, that he may be able 
 to discover the snare, and warn the unwary of their 
 danger; for this end he must " tal'e heed to himself 
 and his doctrine.''* When, from his own experience, 
 he is taught the manner in which temptations work, 
 and the way of successfully withstanding them, he 
 is then w^'ll qualified to save himself and his hearers 
 from their dangerous snares. By taking heed to 
 his doctrine the minister likewise prevents tempta- 
 tions; before it satan falls as lightning from heaven; 
 t>y it his secrets are brought to the light and mad« 
 
29 
 
 manifest. By the gospel that grace is made krowu 
 which is sufficient to foil all the malicious designs 
 of the evil one; by it is discovered that rock against 
 which the gates of hell shall not prevail. The faith- 
 ful preaching of the gospel brings forth the whole 
 armour of God, which enables to stand against the 
 wiles of the devil, and to wrestle against all his wick- 
 ed assaults. It roots the word deeply in the heart, 
 and prevents fi-om falling away, Hke the stony ground 
 hearers, in the hour of temptation. It builds up in 
 Christ; it establishes in the faith in opposition to all 
 the temptations of false philosophy, vain deceit, the 
 traditions of men, and the rudiments of the world. 
 The administrations of the gospel, we see, are truly 
 useful; they put into our hands the spiritual weapons 
 of our warfare; and, if blessed by God, will make 
 us conquerors, and more than conquerors, through 
 Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 
 4. As a blessing peculiar to the people. A holy 
 minister in the faithful discharge of his office, may 
 sometimes save those who hear him from the judg- 
 ments of God that may threaten them. 
 
 If the Lord would have spared the whole city oi 
 Sodom for the sake of ten righteous persons, may 
 it not be supposed that a righteous minister in a con- 
 gregation, and a holy ministry in a church may 
 prevent for a time the execution of judgments 
 threatened against a guilty people? In the history 
 of the kings of Israel we find heavy judgments were 
 threatened against that nation, and recorded in a 
 book; but the execution of them is suspended for a 
 season, on account of the tenderness, humility, and 
 
so 
 
 tears of good Josiah. Similar blessings may yet be 
 obtained from the piety, humility and tears of the 
 ministers of Jesus. In the discharge of their duty 
 they are to weep and say, " Spare thy people^ O 
 Lat^d, and give not thine heritage to reproach^ that 
 the heathen sltould rule over them: wherefore should 
 they say among the people^ Where is there God? 
 Then will the Lord he jealous for his land^ and pi- 
 ty his people," The intercessions of God's servants 
 have frequently been successful in turning away the 
 fierceness of his anger. When the children of Israel 
 committed idolatry at Horeb, the Lord was displeas- 
 ed, his wrath waxed hot, and he said he would de- 
 stroy them; but his chosen Moses stood in the 
 breach before him, and turned away his fierce wrath. 
 The fervent prayers of the servants of God, their 
 unfeigned piety and their earnest intercessions avail 
 much. It must then be the duty and interest of 
 people in general to seek the good of Jerusalem, 
 to pray for a holy ministry, and to hold them in re- 
 putation for their work's sake; for they shall pros- 
 per that love Zion. 
 
 5. As a blessing peculiar to the minister. By 
 complying with the duty in the text, he saves him 
 self from those woes and curses that are denoun- 
 ced against indolent and ungodly servants. 
 
 To illustrate this position I can produce nothing 
 more appropriate than the words of the Lord to the 
 prophet Ezekiel.* The servants of the Lord are 
 strikingly represented in their office, in their duties, 
 
 ^ Qhap. x^xiii. J — 9. 
 
31 
 
 and in their responsibility, by the character of a 
 watchman: if when the sword comes, the watchman 
 blow the trumpet and give faithful warning, then he 
 is free from blame, whatever are the consequences. 
 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow 
 not the trumpet, and the people be not warned, 
 then their blood will be required at his hand. So, 
 if the Lord shall say to the wicked man thou shalt 
 surely die, and if the minister of the gospel do not 
 warn him of his danger, that wicked man shall die 
 in his iniquity, but his blood will the Lord require at 
 the minister's hand. On the contrary if the min- 
 ister warn the v/icked of his way to turn from it, and 
 the wicked do not turn, he shall die in his iniquity; 
 but the minister has delivered his own soul. The 
 Lord has frequently expressed his displeasure with 
 the conduct of wicked and unfaithful ministers in 
 the most explicit terms; " Surely because wyjlock 
 became a prey^ and tjie shepherds fed themselves and 
 fed not ihejloclc; thus saith the Lord I am against 
 tJie shepherds; and I uill require myjloclc at their 
 Jiand. Woe to the pastors tliat destroy the sheep! 
 Woe to the shepherds that feed themselves and not 
 the flock! Woe to the scribes and pharisees^ blind 
 leaders of tJie blind !'^ To avoid these denuncia- 
 tions should be the care of the ministers of Jesus: 
 and these they can avoid, only in the way of taking 
 heed to themselves and their doctrine. By applying 
 to the ministers of the gospel, our Lord's parable of 
 the three servants, each of v/hom received, for parti- 
 cular use and improvement, a portion of his master's 
 property, we shall have a striking illustration of this 
 
32 
 
 particular. The two first recorded, industriously iill-» 
 prove on their Lord's generosity; they pay attention 
 to themselves and their talents; and upon giving in 
 their account , they receive his approbation ; " JFell 
 (lone good and faithful servants^ enter ye into the 
 joy of your Lord," The third is negligent, he 
 hides his Lord's talent in the earth; his Lord is 
 much displeased and orders the unprofitable servant 
 to be cast into outer darkness: there shall be weep* 
 ing and gnashing of teeth. The responsibility of 
 the ministers of Jesus is very weighty: the danger, 
 to which the undutiful expose themselves, is very 
 great; but those who have fought the good fight, 
 who have kept the faith, and are ensamples to the 
 flock, shall receive from the chief Shepherd a crown 
 of glory that fiideth not away. " Who then is that 
 faithful and rvise servant, whom his lo7^d hath made 
 ruler over his househould, to give them meat in due 
 season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord when 
 he Cometh shall find so doing.*'* 
 
 I shall nov/ bring the discourse to a conclusion by 
 addressing you, in a few things, in connexion with 
 what has been already delivered. 
 
 L In the institution and work of the gospel mi- 
 nistry, and in the end which it serves, we may see 
 the great goodness and condescension of God to 
 the sons of men. 
 
 The circumstances in which the generality of 
 human kind are placed in this world, will not in* 
 dulge them with leisure, and opportunity to pursue 
 
 * Matt. xxlv. 45y 40. 
 
33 
 
 the paths of knowledge. Their various employ- 
 ments occupy much of their time and attention. 
 Are they then to remain in ignorance and darkness? 
 No, my brethren, for their instruction, the Lord has 
 given them pastors and teachers, who are to devote 
 themselves exclusively to the study of useful and di- 
 vine knowledge. On the first day of the week, a 
 day appropriated to religious exercises, labour ceases, 
 the jubilee trumpet sounds, and the people are to 
 convene in the house of God, to seek the lav/ at the 
 mouth of their teacher, and to receive the fruit of 
 his talents and his application. Blessed bv God, such 
 administrations are the means of saving their souls: 
 they increase their knowledge, they regulate their 
 lives, they cherish their devotion, and they cause them 
 to grow to the measure of the stature of the fulness 
 of Christ Jesus. The goodness of our God far- 
 ther appears in allowing us the frequent use of these 
 means; he gives " precept upon precept^ precept if pan 
 precept; line upon line, line jipon line; here a little 
 and there a little;'*^ because he knows that we are slow 
 of heart to believe. In this service he employs men 
 of like passions with others, that they may enter into 
 their feelings, consider their circumstances and rea- 
 son with them on their own principles. Had God 
 in preaching the gospel to men, retained the exclu- 
 sive use of angelic missions, had he continued to 
 speak in majesty, as from mount Sinai; or did he 
 refer all entirely to the use of the sacred page, the 
 inconveniency would have been great; but the sys- 
 tem of religious and spiritual instruction now adopt- 
 ed, although divine in its origin, is tational in its 
 
34. 
 
 principle? and well suited to the genius of mankind. 
 
 We are still more struck with the condescending 
 
 countenance which God gives to the gospel; it is his 
 
 gracious exhibition of himself to sinners. He in 
 o 
 
 very deed dwells with men on the earth, he has 
 pitched his tent with them, and will glorify the 
 house of his gloiy. 
 
 2. A faithful and intelligent gospel ministry are 
 an invaluable blessing to the church and the nation of 
 which they are a part. " There is gold^'^ says Solo- 
 mon, ^' and a rnidlitiide of rubies: hut the lips of 
 Icnoxi'ledge are a precious jeiveU^ The various im- 
 portant duties which the minister should discharge 
 require him to be intelligent. To teach men the 
 knowledge of God, to explain what they are to be- 
 lieve and what they are to do accordhig to the scrip- 
 tures, to exhibit the great salvation and the w^ay of 
 obtaining it must demand both skill and understand- 
 ing. He has likewise to direct mankind in their de- 
 votion to God, and in their social duties, he has 
 to expose sin and rebuke the guilty sinner, he has to 
 study the dispensations of Providence and give warn- 
 ing of danger; he has to deal with the high and the 
 low, the rich and the poor. How beautiful then to 
 be faithful and impartial! Surely, my brethren, it 
 is easy to saj that such a discharge of ministerial' 
 duty is useful: \\\i mind is enlightened in the know- 
 ledge of Christ, the mask of superstition is torn otiV 
 the state of society is meliorated, peace and liberty 
 are proclaimed, and righteousness, truth and holi- 
 ness are followed, without which no man shall see- 
 the Lord, Oa the other hand, when ignorance and 
 
35 
 
 unfaithfulness prevail, the sublime doctrines of the 
 gospel are concealed, the souls of men deceived, 
 truth perverted and the paths of holiness unfrequent- 
 ed. This, brethren, is exceedingly dangerous, and 
 would to God! that there were less reason to com- 
 plain of this evil in the present age. Are there not 
 many persons, untutored and unprepared v/ho in- 
 trude on this sacred office? Are there not too ma- 
 ny of the learned and intelligent who take but Httle 
 heed to themselves and their doctrine? and how can 
 they save those that hear them? 
 
 S. A congregation have much to expert from the 
 administrations of a faithful pastor, sent and blessed 
 by God, and should esteem him highly for his 
 work's sake. He saves them that hear him. Un- 
 der his public services they sit with confidence, 
 they hear with joy and are edified with sound doc- 
 trine. To the government in which he presides, 
 they r.eadily submit, knowing that he watches for 
 their souls as one that must give account. In their 
 worship they are led on by him accordmg to the sim- 
 ple forms of the scripture. His discipline they 
 should readily receive, convinced that it is for the 
 destruction of the flesh; that the spirit may be saved 
 in the day of the Lord Jesus. In waiting on his mi- 
 nistry, the saints of God will be made to rejoice in 
 the acceptable year of the Lord; their darkness will 
 be dispelled, their doub tings rebuked, their troubled 
 minds comforted, and their wounded spirits healed. 
 " How beau f if id upon the mountains are the feet of 
 him that bringeth good tidings^ tiiat pubUsJieth peace; 
 that bringelh good tidings of good^ that publisheth 
 
36 
 
 salvation, that saith unto Zion, TJfij God reigneth?'' 
 My brethren, " Hold such in reputation. Remem- 
 ber them who have the rule over you, ivho have spo- 
 ken to you the uvrd of God; whose faith follow, 
 considering the end of their conversation; Jesus 
 Christ the same yesterday, to-day, andf&r-everJ' 
 
 4. The text sets before us the exalted motives by 
 which the ministers of Jesus should be actuated in 
 performing their work. The salvation of the soul is 
 precious. It is the prize of the high calling of God 
 in Christ Jesus. It is worthy of our undivided at- 
 tention. With all diligence we should make our cal- 
 ling and election sure, and take heed to ourselves and 
 our doctrine, that we may both save our own souls 
 and those that hear us. But, to conclude, let me 
 assume the confidence, My Rev. and Dear Fathers 
 and Brethren in the service of Christ, to address you 
 and to say, that this text applies to you and to me. 
 The duties which I have mentioned, I trust, are the 
 duties of our office; they are incumbent on us, we 
 should study their performance. The end which our 
 labour serves is v/orthy, it is grand! and when consi- 
 dered as a motive it is truly forcible. What can tend 
 more to warm our hearts and interest our feelings? 
 What can tend more to arouse our minds and stimu- 
 late our greatest exertions than the idea of serving 
 our God, and saving the souls of men? This is the 
 joy that is set before us, — this is the reward of our 
 labour. " Therefore,'' my beloyed brethren, " be 
 ye stedfast, vnmoveable, always abounding in the 
 ivork of the Lord^ forasmuch as ye know that your 
 labour is no! in vain in the Lord," Amen. 
 
37 
 
 After prayer and praise, The Rev. John M'Millan, as appointed by the 
 Presbytery, having observed the usual preparatives, proceeded to put 
 the questions of the Formula. These were answered. The candidate 
 was then, by prayer and the " laying on of the hands of the presby- 
 tery," solemnly ordained to the Christian Ministry, and the pastoral 
 charge of the Congregation. The following addresses were delivered 
 immeJiately afterward, and they are now published at the request of 
 the people. 
 
 CHARGE TO THE MINISTER. 
 ^EAR SIR, 
 
 From the opportunities which, in 
 providence, I have had to observe your natural abi- 
 lities, your literature, your theological knowledge 
 and your christian character j I did the more readily 
 accept the place assigned to me, in the recent and 
 solemn act of your ordination, an act, by which a 
 mighty change is effected in your situation. It hath 
 elevated you from being a probationer before the 
 church, to become a pastor and an overseer there- 
 in; it hath installed you in the office of an ambas- 
 sador for Christ; it hath made you a steward of the 
 mysteries of God. Now the ministry of reconcilia- 
 tion is committed unto you ; the keys of the king- 
 dom of heaven are put in your hands; and your 
 name is enrolled among the public servants of our 
 common Lord Jesus Christ. I do, therefore, with 
 heart and good will salute you as a Dear Brother 
 and fellow-labourer in the vineyard; sincerely wish- 
 ing you in your new station, abundant supplies of 
 grace, peace and joy from God the Father, and 
 Christ Jesus the Son of the Father, and the Holy 
 Ghost, the seven Spirits before the throne. May 
 

 you ever have cause, from this day to your dying 
 moments, to bless God for making you faithful, and 
 putting you into the ministr)\ 
 
 Permit me. Rev. and Dear Brother, to suggest a 
 few particulars, in relation to your present character, 
 your future conduct and work. As 3^ou have so- 
 lemnly dedicated yourself to God in the office of the 
 holy ministry; you are no longer your own. You 
 are the Lord's, officially; you are his, wholly. 
 Your person, your talents, your graces, your ser- 
 vices, your time, and all your influence are the 
 Lord's. By a regular call, according to the order 
 of his house, he hath separated you from civil em- 
 ployment to sacred service in his sanctuary. He 
 who gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and 
 some, pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the 
 saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying 
 of the body, hath given you to be a pastor in his 
 churclit With your own consent, you have been ta- 
 ken to the door of the tabernacle of the congrega- 
 tion, and, there, you have been consecrated, after 
 the form of the new testament church, to minister 
 in holy things; you have been conducted to the door 
 of the house of Christ, your master, and your ear 
 hath been bored to it, to serve him all the days of 
 your life. Then, his solemn voice to you w^as, 
 " Go, stand and speak in ilie fernjjle to lite jjeople, 
 all the rcords of this life,'' Bear, therefore, upon 
 your mind the constant impression of all this, as a 
 .strong obligation lying upon you, and an animating 
 motive to excite you, to bring all your tithes into 
 the house of the Lord, for the benefit of his church. 
 
SQ 
 
 The work of the ministry includes hibours sufficient 
 to employ the strongest body, and the most active 
 mind. I'he audible voice from the excellent glory 
 to you, as a devoted servant of the Lord, now is, 
 " Give attendance lo iTading^ to exhortation^ to doc- 
 trine ^ meditate iipoii these things^ give thyself xvhoUij 
 to them, that thy profiting may appear to all." 
 Under the influence' of this sentiment, the wisest 
 and the best of Christ's servants have acted in past 
 times. Paul a servant of God, and an apostle of 
 Jesus Christ; Simon Peter, a servant of God, and 
 an apostle of Jesus Christ; James a servant of God, 
 •and of the Lord Jesus Christ, was the language of 
 these first and eminent ministers of religion. Let us 
 walk in their steps — To copulate ministry and magis- 
 tracy in the same person, as is practised in papal and 
 episcopalian churches, is sinfully to limit the opera- 
 tions of ministry — To prosecute a civil profession, 
 and make it the principal business of life, as is often 
 done, allovv'ino; to the ministrv only w hat its interests 
 can permit, is sacrilegiously to rob a holy ordinance, 
 in order to increase the gain of fikhy lucre — To con- 
 sume time in idleness, in amusements, in lengthened 
 company-keeping, and in frequent protractCNj convi^ 
 vial entertainments, cannot fail to restrain the exer- 
 cise of ministerial duties, and must necessarily mjure 
 a spiritual frame — To speculate extensively upon 
 arts and sciences, unconnected with the great ob- 
 jects of the ministry, is highly improper in one, 
 whose duty imperiously calls him to search the scrip- 
 tures, that, as a scribe instructed in the mysteries of 
 Messiah's kingdom, he may bring forth things new 
 
40 
 
 aiid old to the cdiiicatioii of immortal souls. YoU 
 will therefore consider the work of the ministry to 
 be the grand leading object of your pursuit; and 
 see the propriety of making all other things subor- 
 dinate to the promotion of its interests. In so doing, 
 you are neither commanded to be unsocial, nor are 
 you prohibited from improving to their highest ad- 
 vantage your temporal concerns. 
 
 You will likewise perceive the necessity of still 
 prosecuting, with increasing diligence, theological 
 studies. It is commonly said, a scholar has finish- 
 ed his academical studies, on obtaining a compe- 
 tent knowledge of the various branches of litera- 
 ture, necessary, as auxiliaries towards the study of 
 divinity. It is also said, a student of divinity has 
 completed his studies when he acquires that mea- 
 sure of sacred knowledge which may qualify him to 
 enter into the ministerial function, and commence 
 its duties. But with no propriety can it be affirmed, 
 that a minister of the gospel has finished his studies. 
 With the best preparation for the office, and in the 
 possession of the most brilliant endowments, there 
 will still be found large room for future improve- 
 ment; for here " xve knoxv hi jxirt^ and proplicsi/ in 
 part,'' and here " ive see Ihroi/gh a glass darkly.'' 
 The first and permanent duty of the gospel minister 
 is study; it brightens his talents, and bestows excel- 
 lence and perfection on his ministrations, which ap- 
 pear no where else. The practice of carrying for- 
 ward ministerial services, in the neglect or discon* 
 tinuance of study, is no less absurd, than the at- 
 tempt would be to walk without feet, and fly without 
 
41 
 
 wings. " Neglect not the gift that h in thee, rvhick 
 •was given thee, zvith the laifmg on of the hands of 
 the presbijtery. Wherefore I put thee in remem- 
 brance, that thou stir up the gift of God^ 'which is 
 in thee,'* The very extensiv^e subject about which 
 ministerial studies ought to be employed, is the 
 whole word of God, with all its diversified contents; 
 for " all scripture is given bij inspirxition of God, 
 and is profitabte for doctrine, for i^eproof for cor- 
 rection, for instruction in 7'ighteousness; that the man 
 of God maij be perfect, throughly furnished unto all 
 good xcorks. Search the scriptures; for in them ye 
 think ye have eternal life, and they are they xdtich 
 testify of me,'* What a large field opens here to 
 our view! History and prophecy, law and gospel, 
 duty and sin, promises and threatenings, privileges 
 and privations, heaven and hjll, in a vv^ord, the wis- 
 dom of God in a hidden mystery, sufficient to occu- 
 py the most contemplative mind. Thus exercised, 
 the gospel minister will find occasion for the prac- 
 tical application of all his literature — his Greek 
 and Hebrew — his logic and philosophy — his histo- 
 ry, geography and chronology: — of his languages, in 
 ascertaining the genuine meaning of the words — of 
 his logic, in arranging the subject — of his philosophy, 
 in illustrating the philosophical passages of scripture, 
 which are not few — of his history, geography and 
 chronology, in explaining the numerous allusions to 
 customs, places and times, wherewith the word of 
 God abounds. With all this diversified matter, and 
 as adapted to the vast variety of characters and cas- 
 es, is the gospel minister to enrich his sermons 3 for 
 
 I' 
 
'k2 
 
 the conviction, instruction and consolation of hh 
 hearers. Whatever others may do, we trust. Dear 
 Brother, your hearers shall never have it in their 
 power, to- report how often you have literally gone 
 over the same things before them, and what may be 
 the number, real or supposed, of your serm.ons, on 
 preparation being abandoned. We indulge hope, 
 the character drawn in scripture shall be realized in 
 you. " Because the Preacher was rvise, he still 
 taught the people knoxvledge ; yea^ he gave good 
 hced^ and sought out and set in order many pro- 
 verbs. The Preacher sought to find out acceptable 
 Kvcyrds; and that xchich teas written was upright, ev- 
 en words of truth, '^ In the investigation of scrip- 
 ture, it ought not to be forgotten, that neither the 
 sole nor the principal dependence, for arriving at 
 truth, is to be placed upon talents, literature and. 
 human aid, but upon the supernatural and spiritual 
 assistance of the Holy Ghost, who is promised 
 by the Master of assemblies to all his ministers. 
 " The Cowjbrter, ichich is the Ploly Ghost, ivhom 
 the Father shall send in my name, he shall teach you 
 all things, and bring all things to your remembrance. 
 When the Spirit oftntth is come, lie will guide you 
 into all truth,'* Humble prayer for this heavenly 
 guide must accompany all our investigations, all 
 our preparations and all our administrations. 
 
 Further, you are called, Dear Sir, to fulfil the 
 ministry, which you have received of the Lord Je- 
 sus, by the conscientious discharge of the numerous 
 duties annexed thereto, with regard to all the ob- 
 jects about which it is conversant — As a minister of 
 
43 
 
 ■Christ you exist in various relations — lo the catholic 
 church — to the congregation which hath elected 
 you for their pastor — to the ministers of Christ — 
 and, I have to add, to the world at l^irgc. The unli- 
 mited extent of the ministerial commission, as to its 
 objects, bears me out in this last sentiment. '' Go 
 ye into all the xvorld^ preach the gospel to even/ 
 creature.** None of the human race is excepted 
 out of this commission, but all of them are compre- 
 hended. Directing your ministry, as in duty bound 
 by this express injunction, towards the common sal- 
 vation of all men, you will readily improve every 
 occurring opportunity, nay, you will diligently seek 
 it out, to the accomplishment of this generous call 
 of heaven. It is, perhaps, the fault of all of us, 
 that we too frequently overlook this general part of 
 cur commission, limiting its extent within the boun- 
 daries of an ecclesiastical connexion already formed. 
 But remember you are a debtor both to the Greeks, 
 and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and the un- 
 wise, so much as in you is, to preach the gospel to 
 them also — From the ministers of Christ you have 
 received the right hand of fellowship. With them 
 you are to unite your talents; with them you are to 
 co-operate in the work of the Lord; with them you 
 are to sit in the courts of his house on ecclesiastical 
 judgment; here, no competition for personal ex- 
 cellence, no rivalship for superior fame is permit- 
 ted; but all, with lowliness of mind, kindly affection- 
 ed one to another with brotherly love, in honour 
 preferring one another, are, as the servants of one 
 Loi'd, to strive together for the faith of the gospel — 
 
44 
 
 Their ministerial powers and work being equal, no 
 official superiority can have place among them — The 
 ministry being a gift of Christ to the catholic visible 
 church, your office gives you a general relation tq 
 the whole church, extending through all its congre- 
 gations. " God hath set some in the churchy first 
 Ajjostles, secondarilij Prophets, Ihirdhj Teachers f^ 
 for the edifying of the body at large — The hands of 
 the representatives of the church have been laid up- 
 on you. On this account, the congregation calling, 
 has no exclusive right to monopoHze the whole ser- 
 vice of the minister. On proper occasions, to sup- 
 ply the parts of the church destitute of a fixed mi- 
 nistry, his services are due to them, as their right, 
 in virtue of the common relation between him and 
 them. Nor will a sister congregation provided with 
 the blessing of the gospel, judging properly, grudge 
 to impart a little of their spiritual enjoyment to ano- 
 ther congregation in want of it. It is upon this 
 principle that a minister, called, but by one congre- 
 gation to be its particular pastor, possesses the pow- 
 er of sitting in courts of review on the causes of all 
 congregations. To deny this, leads us directly into 
 the error of the disorganizing independent scheme. 
 You will therefore be pleased to remember that the 
 care of all the churches, in some sense, devolves 
 upon you — Between you and the congregation cal- 
 ling you a particular relation is formed; it being the 
 constitutional order of the presbyterian church, as 
 established by her glorious Head, that she should be 
 divided into distinct congregations, for the more 
 commodious administration of ordinances, and each 
 
45 
 
 to be planted with a particular minister. So long as 
 his divine Master is pleased to continue him in the 
 congregation, he is with great propriety denominat- 
 ed the minister, or the angel thereof. To him the 
 immediate charge of it is committed ; and to him, as 
 such, the divine address is made, " Take heed to all 
 the Jiock over- the ichich the Holy Ghost hath made 
 you an overseer^ to feed the cJmrch of God ^ xchich 
 he hath purchased r^ith his own blood.** To the 
 spiritual interests thereof he is continually to attend, 
 performing the various ministerial duties of preach- 
 ing, administering the seals of the covenant, pray- 
 ing, chatechizing, visiting families and the sick, reli- 
 gious conversation, dispensing acts of discipline, as 
 the case requires, and exhibiting, in his own person, 
 a living example of piety and morality, for the imita- 
 tion of others. Like the high-priest of old, with the 
 names of the twelve tribes engraven in precious 
 stones upon his breast plate, he is to carry all the 
 members of the congregation before the Lord. Your 
 public duty obliges you to manifest the same religi- 
 ous care for all the members of the congregation, 
 without respect of persons, w^hether they be high or 
 low. But though an equal religious attention be re- 
 quired from you to them all; I am not permitted to 
 restrict your private friendships, nor to enter into 
 your domestic arrangements ; neither have your con- 
 gregation a right to dictate unto you in matters of this 
 kind; and if they know their place, they will never 
 attempt it. 
 
 Moreover, my Dear Sir, you are not only to preach 
 the gospel, but you are set also for the defence of it. 
 
46 
 
 It is wonderful indeed that the gospel of Jesus, so 
 fully authenticated as a divine revelation, so adnur- 
 ably adapted to the helpless condition of fallen men, 
 and so salutary in its eifects, should meet with oppo- 
 sition from the world ; but it has had enemies in all 
 past periods, and it is not without them in our own 
 times. As a public watchman placed upon one of 
 the high walls of Zion, you are required boldly to 
 appear in its defence; under a banner displayed be- 
 cause of the truth, against all, by whom it may be 
 opposed, whether the opposition be directed against 
 the gospel in general as a divine revelation, or be 
 made in pai*ticular against any of its doctrines, ordi- 
 nimces and institutions. To you it belongs " ear- 
 nesthj to contend for the faith xchich ^ivas once deli- 
 vered to the saints," This day you have been or- 
 dained a minister of the reformed presbyterian, co- 
 venanted church of Scotland, embracing that system 
 of doctrine, worship, government and discipline, 
 which we believe to be agreeable to, and founded 
 upon the holy oracles of God, and is contained in 
 the Westminster confession of faith, and the other 
 subordinate standards of these three nations, adopted 
 by them in the purest times of reformation, as holding 
 the same uniformity of religion, to w^hich we consi- 
 der ourselves inviolably bound to adhere; on account 
 both of its divine original, and being the eminent at- 
 tainment of the church in former times, from which 
 it would be highly sinful to recede. " Nevertheless^ 
 ichereioito we hare already attained^ let us tvalk Inj 
 the same ride^ let vs mind the same things. Hold 
 fist that which thov hast^ that no man tale thy 
 
t7 
 
 rrmcn.** You have at once and before many wit- 
 nesses pledged your faith, to preach and defend the 
 same cause, though now abandoned by the public 
 establishments of the nations as their uniformity of 
 religion, and not fully adopted by any of the nume- 
 rous denominations, which have risen up in succes- 
 sion for upwards of a century. This circumstance 
 lays us under the unpleasant necessity of appearing, 
 as we do this day, in a state of separation from the 
 various churches around us, with none of which we 
 can unite in ecclesiastical communion, in consistency 
 with truth and principle.* Notwithstanding, it is the 
 joy of our hearts to hear that many precious truths 
 are taught in other churches, and to know, by testi- 
 mony and personal acquaintance, of the piety and 
 worth of many of their members, in both official and 
 private stations; because of which we warmly embrace 
 them in the bowels of the Lord Jesus Christ, both 
 theirs and ours ; and long for the arrival of the happy 
 time, when separation, on a testimony, shall be su- 
 perseded by our mutual union in the truth as it is in 
 Jesus. Ordained to the ministry in a state of separa- 
 tion from the different churches existing within this 
 populous city, where your pastoral charge lies, let your 
 uniform conduct bear conviction on the minds of all 
 
 * This observation is not meant to preclude the members of our church, 
 from holding communion with cvangehcal christians belonging to other 
 denominations, in those exercises of religion and acts of worship compe- 
 tent to christians in their private capacity, occasionally meeting in fami- 
 lies, at table, or otherwise. W^e certainly do consider this species of com- 
 munion, proceeding upon a general principle, to1ie different from ecclesi- 
 astical communion, where doctrine, worship, privilege, and governmert 
 are insepurablv ct^nnected. 
 
48 
 
 that this is not the effect of disappointment, chagrin,^ 
 aifected singularity, prejudice, or the mere example 
 and persuasion of others; but the mature result of 
 conscience and voluntary choice, in behalf of our an- 
 cient religious reformation, once the common pro- 
 fession and glory of the three nations. As a minis- 
 ter of Christ, guarding against the influence of party 
 spirit, you will esteem and honour truth and piety 
 in all persons where they appear, still accounting 
 the saints to be the excellent of the earth, in what- 
 ever denomination such characters are to be found. 
 At the same time, zeal for the honour of your di- 
 vine Redeemer will constrain you, to maintain an 
 explicit testimony against immorality, error and all 
 deviations from the truth of the gospel, as an ap- 
 pointed mean to protect your own Hock against the 
 danger of these evils, and to lead others into the path 
 of duty. " / Jiave set Xtatchmen upon thij xvalls^ 
 O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace 
 dajj nor night." 
 
 Personal religion, you know. Sir, is not only re- 
 quisite on the score of our own salvation, but it 
 forms a prominent part in the composition of the 
 gospel minister, enabling him to enter into the spirit 
 of the exalted duties of his office. All the objects 
 of the ministry being spiritual, how is it pos.^ible that 
 a carnal mhid, under the dominion of sin, can enter 
 into the spirit of the work? It is confessed a preach^ 
 or of this description may speculate upon the exter- 
 nal things of religion, and deliver orthodox sermons, 
 but to himself they are wrapt up in unintelligible mys- 
 tery. " 'The 7iatural vian rcceiveth not the things of 
 
+9 
 
 the Spirit of God; for ihcif arc fooUslnicss to hiniy 
 neither can he hmxv them^ Irccause they are spirit- 
 zialhj discerned^ t nit he that is spiritual judgetfi all 
 things,'* Such an one must be deficient in ail the 
 advantage which results from the experimental know- 
 ledge of conviction, regeneration, pardon, peace, 
 consolation and communion with Godj besides, not 
 having been truly affected with his own salvation, it 
 is morally impossible he can travail as in birth until 
 Christ be formed in the souls of sinners, or speak a 
 word in season to distressed consciences. You v/ill 
 then see the tv/o-fold necessity, the minister lies un- 
 der, of cultivating the vital principle of real religion — 
 for himself and for others. O live by the faith of the 
 Son of God; improve him daily for all the purposes 
 of salvation, that you may grow up into him in ail 
 things, which is the head;, for the higher the degrees 
 of your personal religion are, with so much the greater 
 ardour v/ill you be carried out, in all ministrations, af- 
 ter their very important ends — the glory of God and 
 the {spiritual profit of the souls committed to your 
 charge, that you and they may sing for ever in the 
 heavenly sanctuary, " Salvation to God and to the 
 LamhJ^* O study to excel in all the ornamental 
 parts of the character of the gospel bishop, as this is 
 described at large by Paul.* " A bishop then mast 
 he blameless," &c. 
 
 With all these, and many other weighty things in 
 view, you have not been disobedient to the heavenly 
 vision, in accepting the ministry; though, perhaps, 
 
 • J Tim. lii. C. 
 
50 
 
 nnder the deep impression of personal unworthinessp 
 and weakness, you may have approached with a ti- 
 morous heart and trembhng hand to lay hold of it. 
 But be not dismayed, ample assistance is provided 
 for you; it is ready to be communicated at your very 
 outset in the work, and to be continued throughout 
 the whole course of it to the end. Your divine Mas- 
 ter never sent any a warfare on his own charges; he 
 hath pledged his veracity in many precious promises 
 of succour to your faith. It would be unseasonable 
 tx) recite them all. I shall only call your attention 
 to two of them, full to the purpose. The first is 
 the promise annexed to the ministerial commission. 
 *' Xo, / am mth you ahmy^ even unto the end of 
 the uvrld,^* The matter of this promise is, the gra- 
 cious ^ I ' omio e of Christ to attend his ministers at all 
 times, and in every part of their work, including di- 
 rection in what the work is, assistance to the execu- 
 tion of it, comfort under all discouragements^ suc- 
 cess to render their labours effectual, protection 
 against opposition, and the hope also of a gratuitous 
 reward, on the conclusion of the service. What 
 more is wanting? The promise of his gracious pre- 
 sence carried Moses through his work m Egypt, at 
 the Red sea, and in the wilderness; for the Lord 
 God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had said to him 
 out of the flaming bush, " Certainly I tvill be zcith 
 thee." The same promise carried Joshua through 
 Jordan, and his wars in Canaan; for the Lord had 
 said to him, " As I was zcith Moses so will I hs 
 with thee'' The promise of our text carried the 
 twelve apostles of the Lamb honcurably through ali 
 
51 
 
 the parts of their arduous work. Mcthinks, my 
 Dear Brother, I hear the same promise, as with an 
 audible voice, spoken from heaven unto you on the 
 commencement of your ministerial service, Lo, I am 
 with you always even to the conclusion of it. Ap- 
 prehend it by faith; rely firmly upon it; and m.ake 
 use of it, at all times, and in the all of your mini- 
 stry. It applies alike to the closet for your studies, 
 to the pulpit for your administrations, and to the 
 seat of judgment for your decision. Improved by 
 an unsuspecting faith, it will carry you also honour- 
 ably through all the work, to which you have en- 
 gaged yourself, on this solemn day of vowing to Ja- 
 cob's mighty God — The second is the special and 
 periodical promise made to the ministers of Christ, 
 as witnesses, prophesying in sackcloth, during the pa- 
 pal antichristian reign — " / uill give power unto my 
 two uitnesses^ and they shall prophesy a thousand 
 txvo hundred and sixty days clothed in sackcloth — 
 These are the tico olive trees, and the tzco candle- 
 sticks standing before the God of the earth.'* This 
 period is long, difficult, and forbidding, signified by 
 the witnesses prophesying in sackcloth. Already, 
 the greater part of the dreary period is over; but it 
 is not finally concluded. The sound hath not reach- 
 ed our ears, " Babylon tlie great is fallen, is fallen, 
 and shall be found no more at all,*' The papal inte- 
 rest is indeed brought low abroad, but, as may be 
 seen in the neighbourhood of this place, it is making 
 bold attempts to rise again amongst us, by whom, as 
 a nation, it was more solemnly abjured than in most 
 other places of reform.ed Christendom. The matter of 
 
52 
 
 this promise is power, comprehending spiritual ability, 
 in all respects, equal to the duty, and exigences of the 
 time; particularly, a clear discernment to know the 
 truth beclouded by the deceptions of the Man of sin, 
 fortitude to brave every danger in the cause of truth, 
 patience to endure the grievous hardships of persecut- 
 ing foes, contentment under all privations, for the sake 
 of the gospel, and perseverance to continue until the 
 happy change, when the kingdom shall be given to 
 the saints of the Most High, and all dominion shall 
 serve and obey Zion's King. This promise, in past 
 time, carried witnesses, martyrs, and reformers, v/ho 
 loved not their lives unto the death, honourably 
 through their work and sufferings. It carried your 
 predecessors in office, who served the church in suc- 
 cession in this place, honourably through their 
 work, under a public testimony for the covenanted 
 attainments of these lands. Their praises are in the 
 churches; the effects of their labours are apparent 
 among us to this day; and you are entering into 
 their labours. Keep them in your recollection, as so 
 many pledges of the truth of the promise, and as 
 examples for your imitation. You, Sir, are come to 
 the kingdom — to the ministry, for the latter time of 
 the promise. There is still enough in it to support 
 you also in all your work and trial-j, and to enable 
 you to witness and prophesy, though it should be 
 wearing sackcloth of the harshest kind, put on 
 by the faithful in past time. Havjng these high as- 
 surances of succour, enter with confidence upon 
 your work, well knowing where your great strength 
 lies. 
 
53 
 
 Finally, let me charge you before God, and the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the quick and the 
 dead at his appearing, and before the elect angels, 
 witnesses of the transactions of this day, that you 
 observe all things appertaining to your office. " Hold 
 Jast the form of sound xivrds in faith and love ^-jchich 
 is in Christ Jesus, — Speak the tJnngs xvhich become 
 sound doctrine. Continue in the things which thou 
 hast learned^ and been assured of knowing af\chom 
 thou hast teamed them, Studtj to be a workman that 
 needeth not to be ashamed of his work^ rightly divid- 
 ing tlie word of tralh. Be tfiou faithful unto the 
 death. Let no man despise tliyyouih, O Timothy " 
 O Symington, " keep that which is committed to thy 
 trust,'* Let the consideration of the authority of the 
 Lord Jesus commanding constrain you to all duty; 
 let the consideration of your own engagements 
 bind you; let the comfort resulting from the con- 
 scientious discharge of your office influence you; be 
 afraid of the reproach your misconduct will bring 
 upon religion before the profane; seriously reflect 
 upon the awful issue of the wicked and slothful ser- 
 vant; with pleasure remember the joyful account of 
 the good and faithful servant; think of it that you 
 are encompassed with a great cloud of holy prophets, 
 apostles and ministers of Christ; anticipate the ac- 
 count you h^ve to deUver to the Judge of the whole 
 earth, as you value the glory of God and the worth 
 of immortal souls; O be diligent in your work. 
 Under the united impulse of all these motives, and as 
 you w^ould aftbrd joy of this day to the ministers of 
 Christ convefied to introduce you into office, up, and 
 
n 
 
 4. 
 
 be doing; and may the God of love and grace be 
 witli you now and ever. Amen. 
 
 CHAIlGi: TO THE PEOPLE, 
 
 I AM now to address myself to the members of 
 the congregation. My Dear Friends, you have this 
 day received a most valuable gift, a minister of 
 Christ. No violence hath been offered to your spi- 
 ritual rights in the deed of the day. Neither dio- 
 cesan supremacy, nor the law of patronage in the 
 hand of king or heritor; neither military force, nor 
 ecclesiastical usurpation hath been practised upon you. 
 You sought a free moderation, you got it. The 
 m.inister now ordained amongst you, v/as your own 
 voluntary choice, repeatedly expressed and warmly 
 urged. Left unto himself by the court, without any 
 imdue influence, that I know, being em.ployed to 
 bias his mind, you were his choice, as he has pub- 
 licly declared this day. The whole administration 
 of the presbytery upon the business of the call and 
 ordination having been conducted according to scrip- 
 tural laws; I am warranted in pronouncing the fol- 
 lowing sentiment — The Lord hath chosen him for 
 you, and you for him; and now the Lord hath giv- 
 en you a pastor, I hope, according to his own heart, 
 to feed you with knowledge and understanding. 
 This appears the more striking, that, amidst a mul- 
 tiplicity of other calls presented to your object, the 
 lot hath come forth for you. The pastoral relation 
 is now formed between him and you. I am not pre- 
 pared to say, a marriiige relation is formed; Christ 
 
55 
 
 alone being the husband, and the church of be- 
 lievers his spouse. It is enough that ministers, the 
 friends of the glorious bridegroom, are employed to 
 espouse sinners unto him, the one husband. In all 
 relations the respective duties of parties ought to be 
 accurately understood. To the knovi^ledge and per- 
 formance of these we are to look for all the utility 
 and comfort of the relation, whilst on the other 
 hand, we see, ignorance of and a departure from 
 them effectually mar every good of the relation — 
 You have heard something said concerning the duty 
 of the minister. You will bear with me, in stating 
 some of the duties that lie on your side of the relation. 
 Imxight say, the sum of all your duty towards your 
 minister, is. That you receive him in the Lord. 
 This is obvious from the words of our Saviour, spo- 
 ken to his apostles, at sending them forth to preach 
 the everlasting gospel,* '' He that receiveth you, 
 receiveili me, and he that receiveth me, receiveth him 
 that sent me." The great duty of the people is here 
 marked out in their act of receiving the apostles — 
 this act does not terminate upon the minister, it is 
 also a receiving of the Lord Jesus by whom he is 
 sent; and it ascends still higher, it is a receiving 
 of God the Father, who hath clothed the Saviour 
 with his office — In receiving him, you are to recog- 
 nize the authority of his official character, as a mi- 
 nister of Christ, come, in his name, to minister unto 
 you. The acknowledgment of him in the divine 
 authority of his office, is your primary duty, and 
 
 • ^Tatt. X. -10. 
 

 lays the foundation of all the other duties you oWe 
 unto him. All are not teachers. The times abound 
 with usurpations of the ministerial function. Chris- 
 tians therefore are called first to ascertain the divine 
 warrant of the person to minister in holy things, be- 
 fore they can lawfully submit unto his administra- 
 tions.- But truly your minister appears among you 
 with all the credentials of a lawful ordinary minister 
 of the new testament. Receive him then as an am- 
 bassador for Christ, and never forget to view him in 
 this exalted light, in all the varied parts, and acts, of 
 his ministerial office. This will add weight to his 
 ministrations, and awe you into holy reverence when 
 assembled for the ordinances of religion — Receiving 
 him you wdll carefully attend upon his ministrations. 
 In vain docs the minister watch unto the duties of his 
 office, if the people interested therein, and who are 
 the objects of the ministrations, do not give a con- 
 scientious attendance on them. Your presence is al- 
 ways expected in the house of God, when the mi- 
 nister appears in the pulpit, and to fill up all the hours 
 of religious meeting, unless some insuperable imipe- 
 diment lie in the way. Too many, alas! are culpa- 
 bly negligent in this respect. " Blessed ^^^ saith the 
 Redeemer, " is the wan Ihatheareih ??*(?," (speaking 
 by his ambassadors) " watclting daihj at my gates^ 
 xvaitlng at the posts of my doors'* — Receiving him, 
 you mix faith in the hearing of the word, and there- 
 by receive from his lips all the messages he brings 
 you in the name of his divine Master. If this be not 
 performed, nothing is done, all is left undone. 
 Your personal presence in the ordinances will be of 
 
57 
 
 no avail. It will only rank you among the hypocrites 
 in Zion, whom fearfulncss shall surprise. Your 
 hearts must open to embrace both the Saviour and 
 his salvation, as brought near unto you in the offer 
 of the everlasting gospel. Faithful preaching by the 
 minister is an arduous task; no less 'difficult is the 
 work of the hearer, in making a believing applica- 
 tion of the word unto himself — his, is the w^ork of 
 faith, not completed by a bare assent of the mind 
 to general propositions, an operation competent to 
 the natural intellect, but distinguished by a particu- 
 lar and cordial embracing of gospel truth, and good, 
 for his ow^n personal benefit. Your duty in this re- 
 spect is exemplified, in the parable of the sower, by 
 those who received the seed into good ground — 
 " They hear th(^xcord^ and receive it, and bring 
 forth fruity some tlurtij foJd^ some si.rtj/, and some 
 an hundred.'* Let me call upon you to imitate 
 them, saying, on every returning opportunity, we 
 are all here present before God, to hear all things 
 that are commanded thee of God. Receiving your 
 minister imports the salutary, but to flesh and blood 
 unpleasant exercise of cheerfully submitting to acts 
 of discipline under his administration, if delinquency 
 in your conduct should at any dme render it neces- 
 sary. The ordinance of discipline, mercifully insd- 
 tuted for the beneficent purpose of reclaiming offen- 
 ders, is acknowledged by us all ; but, in how many 
 instances, as our mournful experience teaches, do 
 we find the deserving object spuming the precious 
 remedy of his sin, instead of meekly submitdng, and 
 to avoid the application of it, flying off full of wTath, 
 
 n 
 
58 
 
 to take shelter in the communion of some other 
 church? Against adding sin to sin, by a conduct of 
 this kind, and thereby despising the merciful reme- 
 dy of heaven, let me warn all of you. Rather say, 
 such smiting shall not break my head; it shall be 
 an excellent oil; having been appointed for the de- 
 struction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in 
 the day of the Lord Jesus. If the case of any indi- 
 vidual require it, and we pray God of his goodness 
 to prevent it, let him receive the ordinance of disci- 
 pline, with the same readiness, from the hand of the 
 minister, as he would do the communion-cup. 
 
 Again, my Dear Friends, you are requested ta 
 pray much for your minister — Did you pray earnest- 
 ly to God, when you were in want of a fixed pastor, 
 and, in some sense, as sheep without a shepherd, 
 that the Lord of the harvest would send a labourer 
 into his harvest among you? I ask you again, what 
 think ye? Is the minister now ordained over you 
 the ansv/er of your prayers? If he be, and your 
 motives for seeking him were good, you may cer- 
 tainly expect a blessing, to accompany him, from 
 the glorious giver, without which he can be of no real 
 spiritual advantage unto you. For, believe it, Paul 
 may plant and Appolios water, but God alone can 
 give the increase. Viewing the matter in this light, 
 O praise the Lord; give unto him the glory due un- 
 to his name, for this new display of his goodness; 
 raise aloud your voices in celebrating his praises, in 
 magnifying the blessing. " How beautiful upwi the 
 mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tid- 
 ings^ that publiahcth peace, that bringeth good tid- 
 
59 
 
 ings of good, that puhlisheth salvation, that saith un- 
 to Zion thy God vngnethT Having obtained this 
 answer of your prayers; remember the work of pray- 
 er is not concluded. Prayer remains your constant 
 duty. Pray unto God for promised assistance to be 
 bestowed upon your pastor in all his work, that the 
 arms of his hands may be made strong by the hands 
 of the Mighty God of Jacob, that he may open his 
 mouth boldly, and preach, as he ought to do, the 
 mystery of God and of Christ — If you expect him to 
 appear, in the midst of you, with an open mouth, 
 do not think that your lips are to be shut before the 
 throne of grace. Pray also that remarkable success 
 may attend all his labours, that the word of the Lord 
 may have free course, and be glorified amongst you 
 and all his hearers. Cause that these prayers may 
 unceasingly ascend from your closets, your families, 
 and your religious fellowships. Alas! How often 
 are people negligent in this duty! How many rise 
 up as critics, to censure, who never bend their knee 
 in prayer, that the preacher may be directed from 
 above in word and deed, and that a word may be 
 spoken in season to their own souls! 
 
 Further, my Dear Friends, the temporal support of 
 the minister depends upon you. Sequestrated from 
 secular employment, to be wholly occupied in a busi- 
 ness relating to your best interests, the salvation of 
 your immortal souls, can any thing be more reasona- 
 ble than that a proper provision be made for him and 
 his family? That faithful ministers, in times past, have 
 been reduced to prophesy in sackcloth, through the 
 power and oppression of the beast with seven heads 
 
60 
 
 and ten horns, is no reason why a congregation, 
 having it in their power, should not clothe their mi* 
 nister with softer raiment. But I need not enlarge 
 on this subject before a people of your description. 
 I give you the fullest credit, that nothing shall be 
 wanting on your part to render your beloved mini- 
 ster comfortable. Notwithstanding, it is incumbent 
 on me, from the situation I now fill, to declare in 
 the most explicit manner, that ministerial support by 
 the people is an ordinance oi Christ, the head of the 
 church; and v/here this is neglected, it may provoke^ 
 the Lord to withhold the blessing from the adminis- 
 trations of his servant, and thereby blast his ministry 
 to the people. 
 
 I would say also unto you, cultivate brotherly love 
 and harmony among yourselves, in your congre- 
 gational capacity. You are one congregation; one, 
 in a joint profession of the same faith, to which 
 the minister hath solemnly declared his attachment, 
 and I trust, one, in the important work of this day--^ 
 a day to be remembered in all the following days of 
 your life. Love to God, producing- love to the bre- 
 thren, is the noblest principle of the human heart; 
 it is the fulfilment of the law; it sweetly constrains 
 to all relative duties; it renders every service eavSy; 
 it forgets past offences, and generously projects fu- 
 ture peace. O study to be one in this divine princi- 
 ple, keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of 
 peace, as the best evidence of the God of love and 
 peace being with you. Imitate the laudable exajnple 
 of primitive christians, who were of one heart and 
 pne mind, walking together in the ordinances and 
 
61 
 
 commandments of the Lord. Than personal dis- 
 cord and party contentions preyaiHng in a congi'.'ga- 
 tion, nothing can be more dangerous to its prospe- 
 rity. At all events, avoid these vices, mournfully 
 frequent in many congregations, as you would wish 
 to shun the worst of evils. " Put on therefoy^c (as 
 the elect of God, holij and beloved J boivels of mer- 
 cies, hindness, humbleness ofnmid, meekness, long- 
 suffering', forbearing one another, and forgiving 
 one another, if any man have a quarrel against 
 any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye,'^ 
 In matters of positive truth and duty you can riake 
 no concessions ; but in all personal concerns you have 
 power to do much, and much must be yielded, for the 
 sake of peace, both here, and in all prudentials, re- 
 lative to public congregational management, where 
 the voice of the majority ought to decide — Any per- 
 son who delights in discord, is the firebrand of society ; 
 and a single sinner of this kind may destroy m.uch 
 good. Shall we hope, that you will dwell together in 
 unity, as brethren? — The elders which are among 
 you I exhort, who am also an elder. It hath pleas- 
 ed God to raise you unto official station in his house, 
 that, in the line of your office, you may co-operate 
 with the minister, for the spiritual good of its mem- 
 bers. The trust of souls committed to you is great. 
 Remember that for the management of it you are re- 
 sponsible to the Lord of his house. One day he 
 will call all his servants to account, whether their ta- 
 lents be five or two. By an exemplary conversation 
 in all godliness and honesty, tenderly visiting the 
 sick with your prayers and best advice, diligently. 
 
62 
 
 but not critically, inspecting the morals of the peo- 
 ple, wisely and impartially judging their causes, stu- 
 dy to approve yourselves v^orthy of the honour- 
 able office. Let the people blessed with such over- 
 seers, esteem them worthy of all honour, for their 
 work and office sake, and conduct themselves ac- 
 cordingly in due subordination to their authority, 
 as placed over them in the Lord. 
 
 Moreover, my Dear Friends, you are called sted- 
 fastly to adhere to the profession of your faith to the 
 end, without wavering. We trust you made the pro- 
 fession from judgment, from conscience, and from 
 choice. The matter thereof being nothing other but 
 the faith once delivered to the saints; it will beat your 
 peril, if, in any future period, you shall renounce it, 
 cither in whole or in part. Various occurrences may 
 meet you during the course of life, to put your sta- 
 bility to the test. Temptations to allure. Difficul- 
 ties to alarm. But none of these things ought to 
 move you. There are sufficient stores of grace with 
 the Redeemer, to enable all his followers to be faith- 
 ful unto the death, v/hen they shall receive from him 
 a crown of eternal life, that fadeth not away. De- 
 fection from the faith, and versatility in a profession 
 are reigning evils in the visible church. i\postates 
 have appeared in her, in all ages, not considering 
 the awful words of the Saviour, that they who have 
 put their hand to the plough, and look back, are not 
 fit for the kingdom of heaven. " Be ye stedfast 
 and immoveable alxvays ahoimdirtg in the work of the 
 Lord, forasmucJi as ye know your labour is not in 
 rain in the Lord:* With stability in the faith 
 
63 
 
 Study to connect universal sanctity of conversation, 
 as the best ornament of your profession. For this 
 purpose, depend upon the influences of the Holy 
 Spirit, who dwells in all behevers, that he may sanc- 
 tity you wholly, in spirit, and soul, and body. No- 
 thing is more abhorrent to the genius of the christian 
 religion than sin — in its every shape, and nothing so 
 much tends to expose this holy religion before tlie 
 world, as the immoral lives of nominal christians. 
 The enemies of the gospel often find too good rea- 
 son to put the question to its professing, but false 
 friends, What do ye more than others? Alas! for 
 the prevalence of iPxiquity amongst us, and in our 
 churches in these evil days! But, Brethren, " let 
 your light so shine before men., that they may see 
 your good works, and glorify your Father, xvhich is 
 in heaven," By a life of faith, holiness, and pray- 
 er, endeavour to secure the gracious presence of the 
 Master of asseniblies in your congregation, that it 
 may truly be the house of God, and gate of heaven — 
 What heart-cheering comfort will it afford to sister 
 congregations, to hear good tidings of you, from this 
 new aera in your church state — that the gospel is suc- 
 (,(3ssful — that pure and undefilcd religion is prosper- 
 in(T — and that there are glorious spiritual appearances 
 of the Son of man, walking in your congregation, as 
 one of the golden candlesticks, and holding in his 
 Yiohx hand a bright star. 
 
 Might I now accost my dear brethren in the mi- 
 nistry convened in presbytery at this t'me, saying, 
 Let us all remember that, like our young brother, 
 we have formerly, on similar occasions, opened our 
 
64 
 
 mouth to the Lord, by coming under solemn en- 
 gagements at the reception of our office. Let us al- 
 so reflect how we have implemented these our en- 
 gagements; and, conscious, as we must be, of great 
 deficiency, let us, humbling ourselves in his sight, 
 earnestly pray that the time of introducing our 
 young friend into office may be remarkably blessed 
 as a happy season of. spiritual reviving, and of filling 
 our horn with fresh oil, for what future service 
 shall be required of us. Sincerely wishing the nu- 
 merous audience may return under a blessing from 
 the sanctuary ; we conclude by pronouncing upon all 
 present the benediction, wherewith the priests of old 
 blessed the people. " The Lord bless thee^ and 
 keep thee. The Lord make his face shine upon thee^ 
 and he gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his 
 countenance upon thce^ and give thee peace,'* Amen* 
 
 e/ini.Ei, rniNTED by stupuem tounh. 
 
Gaylord Bros. 
 
 Makers 
 Syracuse, N. Y. 
 PAT. JAN. 21. 18 
 
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