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The apostle exhorts us to pulpit diligence by a most foreboding anticipation. 2Tim. 4.2, 3. Owen enumerates the following constraining motives to preaching diligence—‘The command of God—The love and care of Christ towards his Church—the ends of God’s patience and long-suffering—the future manifestation of his glory in the salvation of believers, and the condemnation of the disobedient—the necessities of the souls of men—the way by which God gives spiritual supplies by the Ministry of the word—the weakness of the natural faculties in receiving, and of the memory in retaining, spiritual things—the weakness of grace requiring continual refreshment—the frequency and variety of temptations—the design of Christ to bring us gradually to perfection.’ He adds—‘But the law of this duty is in some measure written on the hearts of all faithful Ministers; and those who are otherwise, must bear their own burdens.’ On Heb. 6.7, 8.