3V 4017 135 'Opy 1 BV 4017 .135 Copy 1 THE OFFICE OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY: SERMON, PREACHED AT THE ORDINATION OF MR. CHARLES T. TORREY, AS PASTOR AND TEACHER OF THE RICIIMOND-ST. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 22d, 1S37 = BY REV. JACOB IDE. Pastor of the 2d Church in Medway, Mass. ■ PROVIDENCE: PUBLISHED BY JOHN E. BROWN 1837. E A. MARSHALL, PRINTER^ SERMON ROMANS XI, 13. I MAGNIFY MINE OFFICE, Paul was the Apostle of the Gentiles. It is his Apostle- ship, or office as a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Gentiles, that he magnified. The only important differ- ence between the Apostleship of Paul, and that of the other Apostles, is the circumstance that he was particularly com- missioned to labor among the Gentiles, while their principal business was to preach the gospel to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And the most important difference between the office of the Apostles, and that of the ordinary ministers of Christ is, that the former were endued with the mirac- ulous gifts of the Holy Ghost, and received their instruc- tions immediately from God; while the latter receive only the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, and form their opinions, not by any immediate communications from heaven, but from the light of the Holy Scriptures. The one were designed to be the authors of the christian scrip- tures, the other, the interpreters of them. Though it seems to have been designed, by Providence, that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost should cease when the canon of scripture was completed ; yet it was evidently intended, that the Gospel should continue to be preached, and its ordinances administered, until the end of time. This is implied in the commission which Christ gave to his disciples, just before he ascended into heaven. 4 > a Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always., even unto the end of the world. Amen." Now, unless we can make ourselves believe, that this commission look- ed forward no farther than to the end of the apostolic age, or that the apostles themselves went among all nations and continued their ministry unto the end of the world, we must admit that there were others appointed to succeed them, as truly authorized as they, to preach the word, and adminis- ter the ordinances of the Gospel. It is their duty, no less than the Apostle's, to magnify their office. " They are ambassadors for Christ;" "they are laborers together with God;" " they are ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God;" tC they watch for souls, as they that must give account." The magnitude and importance of this office ought to be made to appear. That course of conduct in a minister of the Gospel, which would be in- strumental of making the world see the full magnitude of his office, would undoubtedly be the most important ser- vice which he could render, either to God or his fellow- creatures. The truth then,, my brethren, to which the text naturally invites our attention, is this: Those who ARE CALLED TO THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, OUGHT TO MAGNIFY THEIR OFFICE. In illustrating this truth, I shall attempt to show, I. "Who are called to the work of the ministry. II. "What they must do to magnify their office. III. The reasons why they should magnify their office.. An important inquiry is now before us, viz. "Who are CALLED TO THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY? The Lord Jc- sus Christ appears in person lo no one, at the present day. Those, whom he calls to the ministry, do not hear his voice, as did the fishermen of Galilee, saying, " Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Nor does God speak directly to them by his Spirit, and independently of his word and providence, teach them, that it is their duty to preach the Gospel. The teaching of the Holy Spirit in these days, is through the medium of the word and prov- idence of God. The present is not an age of miracles. No one is miraculously called to the work of the ministry, or miraculously prepared for it. But still there are men, at the present day, truly called of God to the work of the ministry, and who as really enter upon its duties in obe- dience to the intimations of his will, as did Peter or PauL God, now, appoints his ministers as truly as at any former age; he now makes them acquainted with their appoint- ment, as well as at any former age; he now lays men un- der obligation to preach the Gospel, as truly as he ever did; and he now makes them feel and obey this obligation, as .really as it was felt and obeyed by the immediate disciples .•of Christ. But here I shall be asked, how does God now call men to the work of the ministry ? I answer, by giv- ing them the requisite qualifications for this work, and turning their hearts particularly to it, and opening a way in his providence for their entrance upon it. Any man, in whom these three particulars unite, is, I apprehend, called to the work of the'ministry. If he possesses the requisite qualifications for this sacred calling; if his heart is supreme- ly set upon it; and if Providence so prepares the way before him, that he can enter upon the work without neg- lecting any other imperative duty, he is under obligation to make this the great business of his life. On the other hand, it appears to me to be a plain case, that no man, in whom these three particulars do not unite, is called of God to enter the work of the ministry. If a man is destitute of the necessary qualifications for the sacred office: if he is without piety; if he is essentially deficient in talents; if he 6 is without a competent degree of knowledge, it is a plain case, that he is not called of God to this important work, in which all these qualifications are indispensably necessary. And if he has all these qualifications, but feels a decided preference to some other calling, we have no reason to think, that God calls him to the work of the ministry. There are many good men, and many good and great men, and many good and great and learned men, whom God has designed for other important stations, and to whom he has given a predilection for them. Before a man can be certain, that it is the will of God that he should devote his life to the christian ministry, he must not only have evidence, that he is truly pious, that his talents are competent, and his education such, or becoming such, as the occasion re- quires, but he must feel a decided predilection for the work, on the ground that it is well suited to honor God and save the souls of men. His whole heart and soul must be in it. He must feel as though he could not be denied the privilege of serving God in the gospel of his Son. Many do thus ardently desire " the office of a bishop," which the apostle says " is a good work." This strong and inextinguishable desire for the work of the min- istry, which makes a man willing to forego the prospect of wealth, honor, and comparative leisure, which other sta- tions in life seem to promise him, and to encounter the la- bors, the privations, and the •complicated trials, which every intelligent man knows must attend the faithful dis- charge of duty in the sacred office, is one thing which indicates a call of God to the work. It is entirely satis- factory on the subject, when united with the requisite qualifications, and the openings of Divine Providence. This strong desire to be employed in the ministry of Christ, of which I am now speaking, which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit disposing the heart to honor God, and seek the salvation of perishing souls, is sometimes preced- ed by a natural predilection for the ministry, as an employ- jfient for life. Long before they are truly pious, and before there is any decided evidence that God has called, or ever will call them to the sacred office, those whom he intends shall be his faithful servants in this work, are sometimes placed in circumstances, in which they not only acquire much important knowledge, and form certain hab- its which are peculiarly useful in the stations that they subsequently occupy, but they are led to look with a de- cided preference to the ministry, as their future employ- ment. Samuel John Mills once told me, that he had from a child, a predilection for a missionary life. After having seen his father take leave of the family, and go off on a missionary tour, he would frequently saddle and mount the horse, ride up to the door, bid the family farewell, and then ride away, as he said, " on a mission." From this early period, to the day of his death, the subject of missions was to him, one of deep and inspiring interest. This is but one among a thousand facts, which might be related to show, that God is often preparing the way, by the circumstances in which children are placed, and the early habits which they are led to form, for the direction of their course after they shall have become the subjects of saving grace. Every one who enters the sacred office ought to feel a strong predilection for this work. The Lord will accept none but volunteers in this service. In our attempts there- fore to determine who are called to the christian minis- try, we are to look, not only for evidence of genuine piety, but for evidence that this piety is developing itself in love to the souls of men, in fervent desires for their salvation, in a particular attachment to the ministry of Jesus Christ, and in a willingness to assume its responsi- bilities, to endure its trials, and to perform its arduous and self denying labors. 8 When God gives this decided predilection for the min- istry, in connexion with the requisite qualifications for the work, he generally opens a way in his providence for an entrance upon it. When pious young men of promising talents, without a competent education, feel this strong desire to be employed in the ministry of the gospel, it is generally the case, that God in his providence pre- pares the way for their education, and then opens before them an appropriate field of labor. It is a plain case, that God calls no man to work, for which he cannot, if he does his duty, be prepared. It is generally plain, that he calls no man to a work for which he is prepared, with- out opening a way in his providence, in which he may, if he will do his duty, enter upon it. We are then, to consider those, and those only, as called to the work of the ministry, who possess the requisite qualifications, who in their hearts give this work a decided preference to every other as the employment of their lives, and whose entrance upon its labors is made practicable in the provi- dence of God. These are the proper subjects of ordi- nation ; the men who as the occasion requires, are to be solemnly set apart to the work whereunto God has called them, by prayer and the imposition of hands. Having shown who are called of God to the work of the ministry, I proceed to show, II. What they must do to magnify their office. Some commentators, and Dr. Macknight among others, consider the word c magnify' in the text, as synonymous wilh honor. It is nearly so, because the highest honor, which can be conferred upon the office of the ministry, is to make its real magnitude appear. But the former word appears to me decidedly more expressive, than the latter, as it suggests to the mind at once, not only the duty of honoring the office, but the way in which this is to be done. Ministers of Christ are to honor their office, by making it appear in its proper magnitude and importance. Or in other words, they must themselves duly appreciate its excellence, and make this manifest to the world. But what, in particular, have they to do, in order thus to magnify their office ? To this it may be replied, i . They must give themselves wholly to their work. Before they enter the sacred office, their hearts are turn- ed to it with supreme interest and affection, by that Spirit, by whom they are called ; and now they must continue to give it their whole hearts. It must continue to be the work which most deeply interests their feelings, in which success shall give them the highest joy, and a failure fill them with the deepest sorrow. They must devote all their time to this work. That which is occupied in necessary relaxation from the sever- ity of their labors, and in the performance of other imper- ative duties, is not, properly speaking, an exception from this rule; because they should aim to preserve their health, to promote their own temporal comfort, and to perform the duties which arise from their domestic and social re- lations, with a view to their higher usefulness as ministers of the Lord Jesus. As they have devoted their lives to this work, their time has become the Lord's, in a pecu- liar sense. It is consecrated time, which they have no right to appropriate to their own personal use. All of it is needed in the discharge of the numerous duties of their high vocation. They should devote their talents, and learning, and influ- ence, to the work of the ministry. There is ample scope in this work, for the greatest talent, and for the most ex- tensive and profound learning. There is no profession in which greater talents are needed, or in which they can be employed to greater advantage. Nor is there any sphere 2 w of action, in which God ever places a man, where learn " ing may be productive of more numerous or valuable re- sults. And the influence which any minister is able to exert, whether it arise from talents, or learning, or wealthy or station, or connexions, should all be devoted ultimately' to the furtherance of the gospel of Christ. If he has giv- en himself to God, as his public servant; if he has devot- ed his life to the work of the ministry; if God has honored him, by causing him to be invested with the sacred office, he has nothing, he ought to have nothing, too valuable to be made subservient to the promotion of this work. To give themselves wholly to their work, is a duty which the Scriptures expressly inculcate upon the minis- ters of the Gospel. When speaking particularly upon the duties which devolved on Timothy, the Apostle Paul says, " Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them." The minister who gives himself wholly to his work, does by this means magnify his office. It is then seen that this work is treated as a great and good work. When rational and intelligent men, under the influence of right feelings, give their whole time and talents to a work, that work nec- essarily appears to be one of great magnitude and impor- tance. And when it is seen to be an object, on which the whole hearts of such men are set; exciting their most ar- dent desires, awakening, their deepest solicitude, inspiring their highest hopes, and giving them, when successful in their exertions, the highest delight, it necessarily appears not only a great, but a glorious work. 2. In order to magnify their office, ministers of the Gospel must faithfully declare the whole truth, which they are commissioned to teach. An ambassador to a foreign Court cannot honor the office with which he is invested, unless he act according to his instructions. If he neglect or refuse to bring forward every important subject of the 11 ^pending negotiation, and to declare fully the wishes of his government upon each, he is unfaithful to his trust, and he dishonors the office with which he is invested. He is bound to set forth the claims of- his sovereign to their full extent, and in all their particularity, and to urge them, by- all the motives which can be drawn from the justice of his cause, the dignity of his government, the impolicy and wickedness of contention, and the happy consequences to both nations, of an amicable adjustment of their differen- ces. When he does this faithfully in regard to a subject of negociation, that is really important, his embassy ap- pears to be a great concern; worthy of the time it con- sumes, the talents which it occupies, the expense which it occasions, and of the government which projected it. His fidelity magnifies his office. Just so it is with respect to the ambassador of Christ. When he is faithful to the in- structions which he has received, and fearlessly declares the whole counsel of God, he magnifies the sacred office. Every minister of Christ is commissioned to proclaim, in the name of his master, the great truths of the Gospel. The instructions which he has received are definite and full. He cannot go beyond the word of God, to speak less or more. His own reason is to be employed in inter- preting the Scriptures, and in ascertaining what the word of the Lord is; but when he has found the meaning of the sacred text, this, and not his own philosophy, is what he is bound to proclaim. Some portions of the word of God are peculiarly adapted to the wants of men in one condition, and other portions, to the wants of men in another condition. There is room, therefore, for the ex- ercise of sound discretion, in rightly dividing the word of God, and in giving to each his portion in due season. But a minister is not left to his own discretion, whether he will withhold or deliver that portion of the word of God, which is particularly adapted to the circumstances in which his people are found, and suited to meet their spiritual ne- 12 cessities. And as all of the word of God is suited to his people, at different times and in various circumstances, so he is bound, as occasion requires, to declare all the counsel of God. The office of a minister derives its character entirely from the nature of the Gospel which he is called to preach. If he presents the Gospel in its proper character, he pre- sents his office in its proper character. When he brings clearly to view the character, law and government of God, the character and condition of fallen man, the mission of the Son of God into the world, and his sufferings and death on the cross as an atonement for sin, the conditions on which the guilty may obtain forgiveness throigh Jesus Christ, the gift of the Holy Ghost to renew the hearts of sinners and make them willing to receive the offered Sav- iour, together with the present and everlasting conse- quences both of accepting and rejecting the proposals of Gospel, his office necessarily appears of peculiar magni- tude. If he treat these subjects so that his people can un- derstand them, they will of course understand the true import and design of his office. If he make these doc- trines appear consistent and harmonious, there will appear a beautiful consistency in his work. If he establish the truth of these doctrines, beyond all rational controversy, he will remove all doubt respecting the importance of his office. If he awaken attention to these important sub- jects, and excite a deep and lively interest among his peo- ple, with respect to them, he cannot fail to interest them in his work, and secure their respect for his office. But let a minister keep out of sight the great truths which con- stitute the very essence of the Gospel, and he neces- sarily diminishes his office. No intelligent bearer can avoid seeing, that where there is nothing preached, the preaching is nothing. When a part of the truths of the Gospel are preached, and others of equal importance de- 13 nied, it must always appear in an inconsistent and unintel- ligible light to the hearers, and consequently the office of preacher must appear to be an inconsistent and unintelligi- ble work. As the Gospel is one entire, harmonious sys- tem, it can be understood only w T hen all the doctrines, which compose this system are understood. The best way to preach it intelligibly is, therefore, to preach it fully. And if the nature of the Gospel gives a character to a preacher's work, one important method of magnifying his foffice, is to declare all the counsel of God. 3. He must bear with cheerful submission the trials of 'his office. It appears to be the purpose of God, that the faithful ministers of Christ should be partakers with him in his sufferings. In the same sentence in which the Lord told Ananias, whom he had required to go and instruct Saul of Tarsus after his conversion, that he was designed as a preacher of the faith he once destroyed, he expressed fully his determination, that he should be a sufferer in his cause. 6l Go thy way: for be is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." Thai his pre- diction was fulfilled, none can doubt, who have read the history of Paul. In a comparison, which he makes be- tween himself and some who pretended to be ministers of Christ, he gives a concise, but affecting description both of his labors and sufferings. " Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool,) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more fre- quent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews, five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep: in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the 14 city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils amongst false brethren: in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and naked- ness. Besides these things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." Each of the Apostles was called to endure great trials. Their master before them was u a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." And the prophets who foretold his advent upon the earth, were signalized by the suffer- ings they endured. • It is sufficiently evident, both from the word of God, and the history of his providence, that it is his purpose, that those who preach the Gospel, shall suffer for his name's sake. The ministerial office has its peculiar trials, and it cannot be honored, unless these are endured with fortitude and submission. Faithful ministers at the present day, frequently suffer much from the sever- ity of their labors; from the incompetency of their sup- port; from the opposition, reproach and slanders of the wicked; from the weakness and instability, the ignorance and wickedness of professing christians; from the fact that many of their hearers reject the offers of divine mercy, and perish in their sins; from the inability of their hearers to sympathize with them in their trials, and from the coun- teracting influence of various classes of false teachers. More or less of these trials are experienced, and must be experienced by every faithful minister. And the honor of the sacred office will be materially affected by the manner in which they are borne. If they are submitted to with cheerfulness, and borne with fortitude and patience, they cannot fail to reflect great honor upon the ministry. The Apostle Paul never appeared in a more interesting and ami- able light, and never more effectually magnified his office, than when he manifested the spirit, which is breathed out in the following language. " Behold, I go bound to Jeru- salem, not knowing the things that shall befal me there, 15 save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, say- ing, That bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself; so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to tes- tify the gospel of the grace of God." When the love of Christ, and a desire for the salvation of souls, carries a minister above his severest trials, and bears him onward in his course with such cheerfulness and joy as are here manifested by the Apostle Paul, his sufferings become the occasion of his magnifying his office. But oh! how does he belittle it, when he repines and murmurs, when he vexes his soul and frets, when he becomes dejected and morose, under the sufferings which God has seen fit to con- nect with his high vocation* Ministers of Christ have solid ground for submission and Cheerfulness under their trials for his sake. Assurance is given them from the word of God, that these shall all be overruled for the promotion of his glory, and the ultimate triumph of his cause. They see in these, the fairest op- portunity of manifesting their love to him in, a more full and striking manner than is possible, by any mere act of obedience. They know too, that these sufferings are con- nected in the purpose of God, with a participation of the glory of Christ, and that they constitute an essential requi- site for the highest enjoyments of heaven. Let them then, after the example of the Apostles, " give no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed ; but in all things approving themselves, as the ministers ol God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watch- ings, in fastings; by honor and dishonor; by evil report and good report; as deceivers and yet true; as unknown and yet well known; as dying, and behold they live; as chastened and not killed; as sorrowful yet always rejoic- u ing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing and yet possessing all things." In this way they may magnify their office to the admiration of the world, and the aston- ishment of angels. 4. If ministers would magnify their office, they must constantly endeavor to increase their qualifications for it. When introduced into the sacred office, they are sup- posed to possess in a good degree, the requisite qualifica- tions for it. But it is not supposed, that they possess these qualifications in so high a degree as is desirable. The churches which invite them to become their pastors, do not suppose this. The councils which ordain them do not suppose this. The candidates themselves do not sup- pose this. On the other hand, while they contemplate the magnitude of the work, on which they are about to enter, they are led with deep feeling to exclaim, " Who is suffi- cient for these things!" They feel the need of more piety, of greater talents, of more knowledge, and of more wis- dom. And, generally speaking, the only ground on which they consent to enter upon the work, is a strong expecta- tation of greatly increasing their qualifications for its du- ties. The churches which invite them to the pastoral office, and the councils which ordain them, both expect that they will be growing men. They look for results to be accomplished in their ministry, which they know they are not able to accomplish now, but which they hope they will accomplish hereafter. Now, if by a close application to their studies, a faithful use of the means of grace, and a right improvement of their gifts, they do increase their qualifications for the ministry, and accomplish a propor- tionate amount of good, they magnify their office. It is manifest from the course that they pursue, that they highly appreciate their sacred calling, that they feel their obliga- tion to be prepared for its duties, and that it is a work with which, in their estimation, no man ought to trifle. The language of this conduct in its practical effects, is a great honor to the ministry. Besides, the fuller exhibition of the Gospel, which they will be able to make, the bright- er example, in illustration of its great doctrines and pre- cepts, which they will be able to set, and the more numer- ous and important results which they will actually accom- plish, in consequence of this increase of their ministerial qualifications, will all tend to magnify their office in the view of the world. But, if by a neglect of their appro- priate studies, the misimprovement of their talents, the devotion of their time to worldly pursuits, or by any other means within their control, they diminish rather than in- crease their qualifications for the ministry, they dishonor their sacred calling. No minister of the Gospel, without a regular increase of his qualifications for his work, can keep pace with the improvements of the age. The rapid march of intellectual improvement, which attends the pres- ent prosperous state of our country, must shortly leave every man, who is retrograde or stationary in his attain- ments, in the rear of many of his cotemporaries. The literary and theological attainments of ministers, with which the churches are satisfied now, may be far less than those which will answer their demands a few years hence. No minister of the Gospel ought to cherish the hope of reputa- bly sustaining his office, without a constant effort to in- crease his qualifications for the discharge of its duties. 5. Another way in which ministers of the Gospel are to magnify their office is, to maintain a character corres- ponding with its nature. This is, indeed, implied in what has been advanced under the last head; but it is of suffic- ient importance to demand a more particular consideration. There is a universal impression, that there ought to be something peculiar in the character of a minister. Wher- ever the nature of his office is known, there is a feeling in 3 18 every mind, that the character of him, who sustains ity should be distinguished in some very important respects from that of ordinary men. There is a real foundation for this feeling. It is that plain common sense of mankind.- which demands that there should be a correspondence between one thing and another. The office of a minister is a holy calling. It is seen and felt, therefore, that he* should be a holy man. Sent as he is by the authority of God, appearing as he does in the name of God, called as he is to stand between God and man, and to speak from God to them, and from them to God, the impression that he ought to be a godly man, is distinct and indelible upon every mind. The office of a christian minister is a high as well as a> holy calling. The relation in which he stands to God and Christ, and the magnitude of the interests which are en- trusted to his care, render him conspicuous in the view of men. The eyes of a great multitude are upon every man in this station. It is, therefore, desirable not only that he should be holy, but eminently holy. Ordinary piety is clearly insufficient for such a station as this. His soul- ought to be in constant communion with God, his conver- sation seasoned with grace, and his life a continued exem- plification of the precepts which he inculcates upon others. The work of a minister is a serious work. The law and government of God, the perishing condition of fallen man, the work of redemption through Jesus Christ, the terms on which salvation is offered to the guilty, the sol- emn scenes of the judgment day, the eternal retribution, both to the righteous and the wicked, are subjects on which he is daily called to think, and write, and speak. These things require not only solemnity of thought, but a sober countenance and grave deportment. The serious nature of a minister's work, requires gravity in his charac- 19 ter. This is perfectly consistent with cheerfulness, but not with lightness. The serious nature of the subjects on which a minister is called to think and speak should make him grave. The fact that God reigns, and does all things well, should always keep him cheerful. In the discharge of his duties, every faithful minister is frequently called to meet opposition. The peculiar trait of character which is appropriate to this emergency, is a meek and quiet spirit. u The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if peradventure, God will give them repentance to the ac- knowledgment of the truth." The work of the ministry is an exceedingly difficult work. The imperfections of saints, the depravity of sin- ners, and the artifices of Satan, exert each an agency in throwing obstacles in the way of his success. To meet these difficulties in all their various attitudes, and to pre- vent a defeat in the great objects of his pursuit, he must exercise sound discretion. He must not only be as harm- less as a dove, but as wise as a serpent. There is no trait of character more appropriate to the nature of a min- ister's work, or imperatively demanded by the numerous perplexing circumstances in which he is placed, than that 6 wisdom' which is from above. Every minister of the Gospel occasionally meets with numerous discouragements. His most judicious meas- ures and self-denying efforts, do not always succeed ac- cording to his wishes at first. He is often obliged to labor long in the way of duty, before the object of his hopes can be fully realized. His opinions and his measures, even when they are right, will often meet with opposition from those who ought to give them their countenance and sup- 20 •port. He will often receive intimidating and disheartening suggestions from those who do not intend directly to op- pose him. Now it is obvious, that in all these circumstan- ces, he eminently needs, not only the meekness and wis- dom which have been already named, but decision, and firmness, and boldness, and perseverance. But with all these traits of character, he will fail in his work, unless God grant his blessing upon his labors. The prosperity of that cause in which he is engaged, is not promoted by mere human instrumentality, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts. The nature of his work, therefore, requires that he should be a devout man, uni- formly trusting in God, and looking to him for that divine influence, without which all his efforts must be vain. If ■" an undevout astronomer is mad," what shall be said of a prayerless minister? The traits of character, then, which the nature of the ministerial office demands, are these; piety, seriousness, meekness, wisdom, decision, firmness, boldness, persever- ance, and prayerfulness. He ought to be, and it is impor- tant that he should be, distinguished in all these qualities. And who can doubt, that such a character as this, uniformly exhibited, would magnify the sacred office. There is one thing more, which ministers of the Gospel must do to- magnify their office, and that is, 6. To aim always to accomplish its great design. The leading object of the christian ministry appears to be the conversion of sinners, and the progressive sancfcification of the church. Speaking of himself and his brethren in the ministry, Paul says to the Corinthians, tc We are ambas- sadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." And when speaking to the Ephesians of Christ's ascension, 21 he says, " And he gave some Apostles; and some proph- ets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the minis- try, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." That these passages bring to view the leading object of the christian ministry, and that this is the conversion of sinners, and the progres- sive sanctification of the church, will not be denied. The accomplishment of this object, therefore, will magnify the office of the ministry. When the word, faithfully dispens- ed, is instrumental of leading the careless sinner to con- sider the error of his ways; when it convinces him of his guilty and perishing condition, as an impenitent and Christ- less soul; when, like the fire and the hammer upon the flinty rock, it becomes instrumental of breaking his stub- born heart and laying him as a subdued and contrite rebel at the feet of sovereign mercy; when it opens before him the preciousness of Christ's character, and the fulness there is in him to save, and, attended by the power of the Holy Ghost, makes him willing to accept of Christ as his Lord and Savior, and joyfully devote his life to his service, the office of the ministry is greatly magnified. Every instance of the conversion of a sinner to God, by the preaching of the Gospel, reflects great honor upon the office of the min- istry. And as it becomes instrumental of turning hundreds and thousands from sin to holiness, of delivering them from the curse of the law," and of bringing them into the liberty wherewith Christ maketh his people free, it is proportion- ably magnified. In an equally interesting and honorable light does it appear, when it enlightens, sanctifies, comforts and strengthens the saints. It is important that these all should know the ground on which they stand, that their doubts and fears should be dispelled, that they should know the duties that are incumbent upon them, that they 22 should be apprised of the temptations to which they stand exposec, that they should be made acquainted with the promises which God has given them, and that all the mo- tives to fidelity in the service of God, which the Scrip- tures present, should be frequently and distinctly brought before their minds. A minister of the gospel is never do- ing a more important work, than when he edifies the church, and influences them to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of their Lord. This is a most important part of the great object of his ministry, the attainment of which magnifies his office. To be instrumental of the conversion of sinners, and the sanctification of saints, a minister of the Gospel must aim at this object. He must reflect upon it, not only as a most desirable object, but with the blessing of God, as an attain- able object. He must study, and preach, and converse, and pray, with this object always in view. If he does not aim at this object, there is no reason to hope that he will accomplish it. If he sets his heart upon it, keeps it al- ways in view, and seeks its accomplishment in God's ap- pointed way, there is no doubt that he will see such fruits