The CHARACTER of a true Evangelical
The Character of a true Evangelical Paftor.
Let miniſters rejoice, yea, let them rejoice with double joy toothers ! they ſhallnomore be driven intocorners, nor put to filence, (a filence as bitter as death), whilst the royal ſceptre is ſwayedbyſuchhands, whereinGodhath now placedit.
Letall the people rejoice, for theſe their rulers ſhall be to themas the light ofthe morning, andas the clear ſhining after rain, 2 Sam. xxiii.3, 4. Andlet us all ſay, Ifa. xxv. 9. " Lo,
" thisis ourGod; wehavewaited forhim, and he will ſave us:
" This is the Lord, we have waited for him ; we will rejoice " and be glad inhis falvation.
THE
CHARACTER
OF A COMPLETE
EVANGELICAL PASTOR,
DRAWN BY CHRIST.
MAT. xxiv. 45, 46, 47.
Who then is afaithfuland wifefervant, whom his Lordhathmade ruler over his houshold, to give them meat in due feafon?
Bleffedis that fervant, whom hisLord, when he cometh, feall findfo doing. Verily, Ijay unto you, that heshallmake him rulerover allhis goods.
THIS great and folemn aſſembly, (met upon a greater and } more folemn account,) brings to my mind thoſe words, and withthe words, a very ſenſible touch ofthe fame affection, with which the church uttered them, Ifa. xlix. 20, 21 .
" Children, which thou shalt have after thou hast lost the o- " ther, ſhall ſay again in thine ears , The place is too ftrait
" for me : Give place to me, that I maydwell.
Then ſhalt " thou ſay in thine heart,Who hathbeggotten me theſe, ſee- " ing I have lost my children, and am defolate ; a captive,
" and removing to and fro ? And who hath brought up theſe ?
" Behold, I was left alone: Theſe,wherehadtheybeen?"
The Character of a true Evangelical Paftor.
Words, big with holy admiration and wonderment, at her ſtrange and ſudden increaſe and multiplication, after ſuch a waſting time as theſe ſeventy fad years had beento her. This was a miraculous and ſurprizing work ofGod, in their eyes.
We havehad our wasting time, as well as they ; multitudes offaithful and prudent miniſters have been ſwept into their graves by EJECTIONS , BANISHMENTS, IMPRISONMENTS , andheart-breaking SILENCINGS.
Whence then are all theſe which our eyes behold this day ! Who hath begotten us, and brought up THESE ? THESE, where had they been ; and out ofwhat fecret receſſes are they come?
Many thought the days ofour profperity, and opportunities of our ſervice, had been numbered and finiſhed, and that God had no more work (exceptfuffering work) for us ; when lo, aboveandbeyond thedeſpondingthoughts,and unbelievingfears ofour hearts, we are here this day ina numerous affembly, withpeaceand liberty, toconfultthe affairs ofChriſt's kingdom.
Yea, to the joy of our fouls, we ſee the plummets and lines, once more in the hands of our Zerubbabels ; Zech. iv. 10. " Who hath deſpiſed the day of ſmallthings ? For " they ſhall rejoice, and ſhall ſee the plummet in the handof
" Zerubbabel, withthoſe ſeven ; they are the eyes ofthe Lord, " which run to and fro through the whole earth."
Ourprudent repairers, co-working withthe divineprovidence, exprefſedemblematically by theseven eyes, willbring weak and contemptible beginnings, to happy and bleſſed reſults and iſſues.
What ſhall one now anſwerthe meſſengers ofthe churches ?
ThatGodhath foundedSion ; andthe poor ofhis people ſhall trust in it.
We are met this day in allhearty LOYALTY to the government, and PEACEABLENESS to the national church-eftablishment, to review and confider the cafes of our reſpective congregations ; which Idoubt we shall find too like that deſcription, Prov. xxiv. 31. all over-grown with thorns and nettles, and the stone wall broke down.
Thus ignorance and error have over-ſpread the people, and thewall ofdiſciplinegreatly decayed. Ourbuſineſs is tocleanſe our churches, and repair their walls ; that ſo they may become gardens of delight, and beds offpices, for Chrift to walk and takepleaſure in.
Youhave ordered thismeeting to be opened with a fermon, and demandated that work to my hand, byyour earnest and unanimous call. I wish thework may not fuffer byyourchoice.
WhenI confideredthe quality and occafion ofthis afſſembly,
The Character of a true Evangelical Pastor.
mythoughts quickly centered themſelves inthoſe words ofour Lord, which I have read unto you : "Who then is a faithful
" and a wife fervant, whom his Lord hath made ruler overhis " houſhold, togive themmeat in due ſeaſon?" &c.
\ Here we find ourſelves in a parable. A parable is the veil offome divine truth : whilft we are embodied and veiled with fleſh, truth must embody and veil herſelftoo, in order to our freer converſes with it. There is much truth and reaſon in that obſervation of the ancient Cabbalists : " * The ſupreme light
" never deſcends without a covering."
Yea, faithDionyfius, the fuppofed Areopagite, " † It is impoffible that a divine
" beam ſhould otherwiſe ſhine tous, except itbe covered with " variety of facred veils, and umbrages ."
Not to ſpendmuch time about the order and relation of the text; Chrift had been folemnly warning the diſciples, and all theChriſtian world,ofhis moſt certain (though fecret) coming to judgment ; andtherefore to beware of luxury, idleneſs, and ſecurity, the fins of the world ; and that all be found, at his coming, watchful anddiligent in theirproper places ofduty.
This exhortationhe infers, from what common prudence would teach any fervant, eſpecially any steward of an houſe todo, to whom his Lord hath committed thecareofhis family.
It is agreedby all, that the words have a ſpecial and immediate reſpect to goſpel-minifters, the ſtewards of Chrift's houſe, or church, towhom Chriſt, the Οικοδεσπότης, or Lord ofthe family, hath trusted the care and difpenfation of the affairs thereof.
And inthemwe find, I. An evangelical paftor deſcribed.
II. The reward offuch as anſwerthatdeſcription, profounded.
1. Chrift's deſcription ofan evangelical paſtor, ver. 45. which he doth by two excellent and effential properties, or qualifications, Πισος, και φωρονιμος,faithfuland wife ; both which makeup the character of acomplete goſpel-miniſter : for ifhe befaithful, he deceives not others ; and if wife, or prudent, he is not apt to be deceived himself: his prudence fuffers not deceivers cafily to impoſe upon him ; and his faithfulness will not fuffer him knowinglyto impoſe upon his people.
His prudence will enable him to diſcern, and hisfaithfulness oblige him to diſtributewholeſome food tohis flock. These two thereforemeeting
* Lumenfupremum nunquam defcenditfine indumento.
† Impoſſibile eft nobis aliter lucere radium divinum, nifi varie tatefacrorum velaminum circumvelatum.
Caeleft. Hier. cap. 1
The Character of a true Evangelical Paftor. together, make a paſtor after God's own heart, according to Jer. iii. 15.
Both theſe are found in an interrogative form ofſpeech in the text, but itis agreed, that Tis is put conditionally for ει τις, and is ratherhypothetical,thaninterrogatory: butin this form ofſpeech itinfinuates the rarityanddifficulty of finding ſuch a ſervant. He is Σπάνις και δευσευρέλος, as Theophylact gloſſeth it.
And Chryfoftom, by way of admiration, Quam rari, et praeftantes effent tales ! i. e. ' How rareand excellent would ſuch ſervants be ?" These are their properties.
2. The reward ofthoſe that anſwer theſe characters, is propounded, ; 1. In proper, 2. In metaphoricalterms.
If 1. Inproper terms ; Bleſſfed is that fervant, ver. 46. he is certainlybleffed ofGod, whateverhis uſage be frommen. he befaithful, allhis prudence will not ſecure him from the hatred and perfecution ofmen, but it is enough that Chrift calls and counts himbleſſed;andthose whom he bleſſeth, are truly andeternally bleſſed.
" 2. Inmetaphorical terms ; ver. 47. " Verily, I ſayunto you, that he ſhall makehim ruler over all his goods."
In alluſion to the cuſtom ofgreat kings and generals, whouſe to prefer and advance difcreet and faithful ſervants to places of eminent truft, profit,and honour ; asDanieland Joſephwere.
Theſenſe thus cleared, runs naturallyand easily intothis, Doct. That our LordJesus Christ willamply reward thefaithfulandprudentstewards of his house, in the day of their account.
This point will open itſelf to you in theſe three doctrinal branches.
1. That miniſters, in a ſpecial ſenſe, are the ſtewards of Chrift's house.
2. Faithfulness and prudence are the neceſſary qualifications ofChrift's ſtewards .
3. Wherever theſe arefound,Chriſt willabundantly reward them.
1. Ministers, in aspecialfenfe, are thestewards, or chieffervants of Christ's house.
So ſpeaks the apostle, 1 Cor. iv. 1.
" Let a man account of us as the minifters of Chriſt, and " ſtewards ofthe mysteries ofGod."
To them he hath committed the diſpenſation ofthe word and facraments, which containthegreat mysteries ofthe kingdom ofGod.
Everyprivateperſon,whohath receivedanytalent fromGod,
The Character of a true Evangelical Pastor.
(andto be ſure the meaneft among us hath one talent at least,) isa fteward, andwillbe calledto an account for the employment, ornon-employmentofthat talentinthe audit-day.
But minifters are ſtewards in the ſtrict and ſpecial fenſe : Chriftditinguiſhes them from the others, as porters from the rest of the fervants, Mark xiii. 34. Nor mayany affume that office, butby orderfrom Chrift, theMafter ofthe family. But this is too obvious to ſtaylonger upon it.
2. We willtherefore immediately take into confideration, the properties or qualifications ofthe rewards ofChrift: which are, 1. Faithfulness.
2. Prudence.
Andconfider them, 1. Diftinctly.
2 Conjunctly.
1. Faithfulness is an effential requifiteto afteward, 1 Cor.
Faithfulness. iv. 2. It is requiredin ftewards, that à màn bè foundfaithful. What ground isthere for trust, wherethere isho truth ? Hence is thatfolemn charge, 2 Tim. ii. 2. to committhat greattruftofthe miniftry tofaithful men.
AndPaul bleſſeth God, 1 Tim. i. 11 , 12. who had accounted himfaithful, andputhim intothe miniftry.
Thisfaithfulness, as it refpectsGod, ourselves, and the flocks committed tous, includes, 1. Pure and ſpiritual aims andintentions.
2. Sincerityand integrity ofheart.
3. Diligence in the diſcharge ofduty.
4. Impartiality inthe adminiſtrationofChrift's house.
5. Andunſhaken conſtancyandperfeverance tothe end.
1. Ministerialfaithfulness includes pure andspiritual aims and intentionsforGod. Afervant is Ολεώς εκείνου; itis nothis own, buthismaster's honour, and intereſt,he must deſign and aimat.
Fidelitywillnot endureſelf-ends,diſguiſedwithapretence ofzeal for Chriſt.
It is faidof the maſter workmen of the temple, 2Kings xxii. 7. thattherewas no reckoningmade with them ofthe money collected for that uſe, because they dealtfaithfully, i. e. they had given fufficientproofthat they appropriated not a farthing to themselves, but truly applied it to the public, facred end and uſe, to which it was given.
O let us be all ſuch faithful master-builders of the houſe of ourGod! Let us ſay, not our intereſt, but Chrift's ; not our glory, but his.
Pure ends in our fervice, willgive us abun-
VOL . VIII.
L11
The Character of a true EvangelicalPaftor. dant comfort at the end of ourſervice.
Have a care, brethren, ofall artifices and deſigns, to accomodate carnal intereſts, underafhew of devotion to God.
Timothy is our pattern in this, ofwhom Paul faith, Phil. ii. 20, 21. " I have no man like-minded, who will naturally
" care foryour ſtate; for allſeektheirown, notthe things that " are Jeſus Chriſt's."
Where the word naturally is not oppoſed tospiritually, but to artificially.
Others had the art to cloak felf-ends under Chriſt's honour ; but Timothy was ignorantoffuch unfaithful tricks and artifices.
2. Ministerial faithfulness imports perfonalfincerity.
So the word fignifies, where it is faid ofAbraham, that God Nehem. ix. 8. foundhis heartfaithful ; that is, fincere before him. A faithful miniſter is afincere-hearted miniſter. And herein, brethren,O herein, or in nothing, let us approve ourſelves the miniſters of Chrift: Let this be our
" rejoicing, that in all fincerity, andgodly ſimplicity, we have " had our converſations in this world," 2 Cor.i. 12. And the rather letusbe careful inthis, becauſe no ſin is more apt to infinuate itſelf into our hearts, and duties, than hypocrify.
We, ofallmen, aremoſt indanger to be deceivedby it : For our employment lying in, and about ſpiritualthings, we are, on that account, ſtiledfpiritual men, Hof. ix. 7. But it is plain, fromthat veryplace, that a man may be objectively a ſpiritual, and allthe whilefubjectively a carnal man.
Believe it, brethren, it is easier to declaim, like an orator, againsta thousand fins ofothers, than it is to mortifyone fin, like Chriftians, in ourſelves ; to be more induſtrious inourpulpits, than in our clofets ; to preach twenty fermons to our people,than one to our own hearts.
Believe it, firs, all our reading, ſtudying, and preaching, is buttriflinghypocrify, tillthethings read, ſtudied, and preached, be felt in ſome degree upon our own hearts. We tell our people (the Lordhelp us to tell the fame toour own hearts) thatthere arefimilar, as well asfaving works of the Spirit, by which their (andwhy not our own) fouls may be loft ?
3. Ministerialfaithfulness includes miniſterial diligence. A flothful cannotbe a faithfulfervant. Matth . xxv. 21. " His
" Lord faid unto him, well done, thou good and faithful fer- " vant," &c.
And ver. 26. " His Lord anſwered, and faid " unto him, Thou wicked and ſlothful ſervant," &c.
Imay ſay tohim that fnatched at the miniſtry, as Henry IV. did to hisfon, thathastily ſnatched atthecrown,He littleknowswhat
The Character of a true Evangelical Paftor.
*" The labours of onheap of cares and toils hesnatcheth at.
" the miniſtry will exhaustthe very marrow fromyourbortes, " haſten old age anddeath."
They are fitlycompared to the toil ofmen in harvest, to the labours ofa woman in travail, and totheagoniesoffoldiers inthe extremityofa battle.
We must watchwhen othersfleep. i :
And indeed it is not ſo much the expence ofour labours, as the loſs ofthem, that kills us.
It is not with us, as with other labourers : They find their work as they leave it, ſodo notwe.
Sin and Satan unravel almoſt all we do, the impreſſions we make on our people's fouls in one fermon, vaniſh before the next. Howmany truths have we to ſtudy ! how manywiles ofSatan, and mysteries of corruption, to detect ! how many cafesofconfcience to refolve ! Yea, we must fight in defence ofthe truths we preach, as wellas ſtudy them to paleneſs, and preachthemuntofaintneſs : But well-ſpenthead,heart, lungs, andall; welcomepainedbreasts, aching backs, andtrembling legs; ifwecan by all but approve ourselves Chrift's faithful fervants, and hearthatjoyful voice from his mouth, " Well done, good and faithful ſervants."
4. Minifterial faithfulneſs includes our impartiality in all the administrations of Christ's house. He that is partial, cannot be faithful. O with what extraordinary folemnity doth Paul fet on this exhortation upon Timothy! " I chargethee before " God, and the Lord Jesus Chriſt, and the elect angels, that " thou obſerve theſe things, without preferring one before " another, doing nothingby partiality," 1 Tim. v. 21 .
Brethren, you will shortly appear before an impartialGod, ſeethat ye be impartialfterwards; take the ſame care, manifeſt thefame love, attend with the ſame diligence, the poorest and weakeſt ſouls that are committed to your care, as you do the rich, the great, and honourable.
Remember all fouls are rated atone value in your Maſter's book, and your Redeemer paidas much for the one as for the other.
Civil differences must be civilly acknowledged, but theſe have noplace in our ſpiritual adminiſtrations.
5. Lastly, Minifterial faithfulneſs includes constancy and stedfastness : Not a backsliding, or flinching fervant,
Rev. ii. 10. " Bethou faithful, (i. e. fixedand conſtant)to the death, " and Iwill give thee a crown oflife." Welook for happiness,
* Labores ecclefiaftici fuccum exhauriunt ab imis medullis, Senium, mortemque accelerant.
Luther.
L112
The Character of a true Evangelical Paster. as long asGod is inheaven , andhe expects constancy, as long as we are on earth.
Manyofus have cauſe tobleſs the Lord, andgreatly to re joice inhis goodneſs thisday, who enabled us tobe ftedfat and unmoveable in the trials that have paſſed over us ; and when the great earthquake ſhakeddown our liberties, our efrates, and made our hearts to ſhake, yet your reſolutions for God andhis truth, stood firm and unshaken ; Our hearts turu ednotback, nordid our ſteps decline, thoughwe werebrokenin theplace ofdragons, and covered with the shadow of death.
This we whollyowe to him that holdsthe ſtars inhis right-hand, but ourwarfare is not yet ended.
Our faithful ness isnotyetfaithfulness to the death; wehope it will shortlybe called fo, whilstit thus involves our felf-denial, fincerity, diligence, impartiality, and constancy.
Theſe are the principalthings included in the firſt qualification ofministerialfaithfulness.
Inthe nextplacelet usweigh andvalue, 2. The ſecond qualification in the text, viz. ministerial prudence.
Th The Lord's fervant must not only be 150s, faithful; but Φρονιμος, prudent, discreet, and wife. Fidelity and honesty make a goodChriſtian; butthe addition ofprudence
Prudence to fidelity, makes a good steward.
Faithfulness willfixthe eyeuponthe right end ; butit isprudence mustdirect tothe proper means ofattaining it.
If we look into Rev. iv. 6, 7. we shall there find a ſtately emblem oftruegoſpel-miniſters. Theyare Ανθρωποι πολύομματοι,
Menfull of eyes. They have eyes looking beforethem toGod for direction, behind them to the flocks they lead, andwith. inthem to their own hearts ; left aftertheyhave preached to others, themſelves become caſt-aways.
They have alfo fix wings , withtwotheycovertheir faces, manifefting their deep reverence ofGod; with two their feet, manifeſting the humbleſenſe oftheir infirmities ; and with twotheyfly with chearful expedition inthe ſervice ofGod.
They have not only the courageofthe lion, the ſtrength ofthe ox, the loftineſs ofthe eagle, buttheface ofa man, i. e. prudence and difcretion.
Theuse ofprudence to a miniſter of Chrift, is unspeakably great: Itnotonlygives clearneſs and perſpicacity to the mind, by freeingitfrom paſſions and corporeal impreſſions, enabling it thereby to apprehendwhatisbeſt tobe done; but enables itin its deliberations, about themeans, tomake choice ofthe moſt apt andproper; anddirects theapplicationof them in
The Character of a true Evangelical Pastor.
the fittest ſeaſon, withoutprecipitation, by too much hafte ; orhazard, by too tedious delay. And judge you, brethren, bythis, whatan intereſt the affairs of Chrift's kingdom have inthis ſecond qualification.
Iknow there is a carnal policy, an unworthypufillanimity, that often ſhrewd themselves under the name of prudence ; I have nothing todo with mock-graces here : My buſineſs is to ſhew you, inwhat particulars true ministerial prudence is highlyſerviceabletothe affairs ofChrift's houſe, orkingdom. And this Iwillbrieflydiſcourſe intwo reſpects.
The eyeof prudence must look, 1. To our ownproper perſonalwork, to fee thatbe well done.
2. To otherswho work, 1. With us as friends, thatwemayhave aſſiſtance from them.
2. Or againſt us as enemies, that our work be not ruinedby them.
1. Prudence willdirect the ſervants ofChrift, in their own properminifterial work, that it be well done. And in order thereto, itwill guidethem in their deliberations tothe fixfollowingproper means, and excellent expedients.
Ift, Prudential expedient.
And iſt, prudence will direct us, tolay agoodfoundation of knowledge in our peoples fouls, by catechizing and instructing themin the principles of Chriſtianity, without which we labour invain.
Except you have aknowing people, you are not like tohave a gracious people.
St. Paul's prudentials lay much inthis, 1 Cor. iii. 10. "As a wife maſter-builder, I have laid the " foundation." And indeed thisis the master pieceofa masterbuilder. Allyour excellent fermons will be daſhedto pieces, uponthe rockof your peoples ignorance. You can never pitch upon abetter project, to promote and fecure the fucceſs ofyour labours, than catechizing.
What age of Chriftianity ever produced more lively and ſtedfast Chriſtians, than the firſt ages ? And then the care of this duty moſt eminently flourished in the churches. Clemens
Alexandrinus, Origen, Optatus,Bafil, Austin, andAmbroſe, were all catechists : And it is theopinion,bothof Chemnitius and Zanchy, that that exerciſe, whichChriſt honoured with hispreſence inhis youth, was a catechetical exerciſe.
We that livein this age, have as much obligation as they, andGodhath furnished toour hands the besthelp for it, that
The Character ofa true Evangelical Paftor. ever any age ſince Chriſt enjoyed. As chymists extract the fpirits ofherbs and minerals into ſome rare elixir, ſo haveour venerable aſſembly(lately fitting at Westminster, now inglory) compoſed for us the moſt judicious and compendious ſy-. ſtem, that ever bleſſed this age. And to make it yet more uſeful, divers worthy hands havebeenemployed, ſome in one method, ſome in another, to make thoſe compendious anſwers. more intelligible to the people. And yet I am of opinion, fomewhat maybe furtherdone to advance that great deſign, ina thirdmethod, that ſhall notonly make thoſe points more. intelligible, than in anſweringbyyea and no: or drawing out the fubfervientanſwers to ſuchalength, as too much charges the peoples memory, but withal to intermix the mostuseful practical matterwith what is doctrinal. Iffuch acourſe might obtainin allour congregations, I think it wouldgreatly difcover our prudence, and turn richly to the accountofour peoplesprofit.
2d Prudential expedient.
Miniſterial prudence diſcovers itſelf in the choice offuchfubjects,as theneeds ofourpeoplesfoulsdo most require, andcallfor.
Aprudent miniſter will studythefouls ofhis people, more than thebeſt human books in his library ; and not chuſewhat. is easiest for him, but what is most neceffary for them.
Miniſters that are acquainted with the ſtate of their flocks, asthey ought to be, will be ſeldom at a lofs in the choice ofthe next ſubject: Their peoples wants will chuſe their text, fromtime totime, for them.
The greatest part of ourcongregations are poor, ignorant, and unregeneratedpeople, that know neither their misery nor their remedy.
This will direct us to the great doctrines of conviction, regeneration, andfaith ; and make us to fit with follicitous minds in our ſtudies, pondering thus in our hearts :
* Lord, what courſe ſhall we take, and what words ſhall we * chuſe, thatmay beſt conveythe,ſenſe oftheir fin and danger, with the fulneſs and neceſſity of Chriſt, into their
• hearts ?'
Others are withering and decaying in their affections, or ſtaggering and floating in their judgments : Prudence will enable theman of God to give to everyone his proper food, or phyſic, indue ſeaſon.
This willmake us ſpend more hours inour ſtudies, and ſet to it with all our might and ſkill, that therebywe may both ſave ourſelves, and them that hear us.
3d Prudential expedient.
This ministerial wisdom, will not only direct us thus in the
The Character ofa true Evangelical Pastor.
choiceofour fubjects, but of the language too, inwhich wedress and deliver them to our people.
It will tell you, a crucifiedſtile beſt ſuits the preachers ofa crucified Chrift. Agrave and proper ſtile becomes the lips of Chrift's ambaſſadors.
Prudence will neither allow us to be rude, nor affectedly gaudy, in our expreffions. * " Tertullian
" checks thoſe preachers, whoſe ſermons dreſs up Chriſtianity " inphilofophical, rather than evangelical terms."
Prudence will chuſe words that arefolid, rather thanflorid: As amerchant will a ſhip by afound bottom, and capacious hold, rather than a gildedheadandstern.
Words are butſervants to matter. iron key, fittedto the wards ofthe lock, ismore uſeful than a golden one, that will not open the doorto the treaſure.
An Some ofChriſt's miniſters excel in aneat and pleaſing plainneſs of language.
For this Auſtin was ſo affected with the ſtileofAmbrofe : + " With his ſweet words, which I loved,
" came into my mindthe duties which I neglected."
And Zanchy faith ofViret, ‡ " I admiredhis eloquence, and the " force it hadin moving the affections."
Prudence will caſt awaya thousand fine words, for one that isapt to penetrate the confcience, andreach the heart.
This made Bafil look uponthe famed allegories of his time, with a compaffionate ſmile, faying, || " We takethem forprettywit- " ticiſms, but things of little uſe or value in the miniſtry."
Who, in the laſt age, was ever honoured with more fucceſs in his miniſtry, than blefſed Mr. Burroughs ? And whoever excelledhim in ſkill, to bringdownthe ſublime mysteries ofthe gofpel to the meaneſt capacity ?
4. Prudential expedient.
Miniſterialprudence will ſhew us, of what great uſe our own affections are, for the moving ofothers; and willtherefore adviſeus, That, as ever we expect the truths we preach ſhould operate upon the hearts ofothers,we firſt labourto work them inupon our own hearts.
Such a preacher was St. Paul ; he preached with tears accompanying his words, Phil. iii. 18. An hot iron, thoughblunt, willpierce ſooner than a coldone, though ſharper.
And why, my brethren, do we think,Godhath commif- * Qui Platonicum Chriftianiſſimum procudunt Chriftianis.
+ Veniebant in animum meumfimul cum verbis, quæ diligebam, etiam res ; quas negligebam.
‡ Siugularem eloquentiam,et in commovendis effectibus efficacitatem admirabar.
The Character ofa true Evangelical Paftor. fionatedus, rather thanangels, tobe his ambaffadors ? Was it not, among other reaſons, for this ? Because we having been under the fame condemnation andmiferyourſelvés, and feltboth the terrors and confolations ofthe Spirit, (which angels experimentally know not), might thereby be enabled to treatwith finners more feelingly, and affectionately, in away more accommodate tothem, and therefore more aptto move andwinthem .
5. Prudential expedient.
Miniſterialprudence will direct the fervants ofChrift (who highly value, and earnestly long for the ſucceſs of their labour) to be careful, by the strictness andgravity of their deportment, to maintain their esteem in the confciences oftheirpeople.
In yourpulpits, you are carrying on a treaty ofpeace betwixtGodandthem; andtherefore itwillnotallow you todo any thing out of your pulpits, to make the breach wider, or hinder the happy cloſe betweenhim and them.
The fowler that ſpreads his net to take the birds, will not leave a feather, or make the leaſt noiſe, to ſcarethebirdhe intends to take.
Letnot them who aim nó higherthanabird, bemoré prudent and cautious, than you that are ſet to catch immortal ſouls.
Remember that ofSolomon, Prov. xi. 30. " He thatwinneth "fouls is wife."
Prudence will not allow the ministers of Chrift to intermixthemselves with vain company, andtakethe fame liberty theydo in vainjefts, and idle ſtories. Nor will itallow, onthe other fide, a moroſe reſervedneſs, anddifcou raging austerity ; buttemper gravity with condeſcending affability.
To youthat arejuniors and candidates for the miniſtry, I will affume the boldneſs to addrefsyou with one ſeaſonable word ofadvice ; and it is this : Have a care of that light and airy ſpirit, which ſomuch obtainseverywhere inthis unferi ous age.
It was the charge ofGodagainftfome ministers of old, thattheywere lightperfons, Rev. iii. 4. andyet I cannot butthink, comparatively ſpeaking, with fome of ourtimes, theymight paſs for grave and ferious.
The people have eyes tofeehowwewalk, as well as ears tohear what we ſay.
It will beout wisdom and great advantage, tobe able to fay, as St. Paul did, Phil. iv. 9. "The things which you have both
" heard and ſeen inme, do."
6. Prudential expedient.
Ministerial prudence willfend you often to your knees, to feek a blessing from God upon your studies and labours, as
The Character of a true Evangelical Paftor.
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The Character ofa true Evangelical Paftor. fionatedus, rather than angels, tobe his ambaffadors ? Was it not, among other reaſons, for this ? Because we having beenunder the ſame condemnation andmifery ourſelves, and feltboth the terrors andconfolations ofthe Spirit, (which angels experimentally know not), might thereby be enabled to treatwithfinners more feelingly, and affectionately, in away more accommodate tothem, and therefore more aptto move andwin them .
5. Prudential expedient.
Minifterialprudence will direct the fervants ofChriſt (who highly value, and earnestly long for the ſucceſs of their labour) to be careful, by the strictness andgravity of their de portment, tomaintain their esteem in the consciences oftheirpeople.
In yourpulpits, you are carrying on a treaty ofpeace betwixtGodandthem; andtherefore itwillnotallowyou todo any thing out of your pulpits, to make the breach wider, or hinder the happy cloſe between him and them. The fowler that ſpreads his net to take the birds, will not leavea feather, or make the leaſt noiſe, to ſcare the bird he intends to take.
Let not them who aim nó higherthana bird, be more prudent and cautious, than you that are ſet to catch immortal fouls.
Rememberthat ofSolomon, Prov. xi. 30. " He that winneth fouls is wife."
Prudence will not allow the ministers of Chriſtto intermixthemselves withvaincompany, and takethe fame liberty theydo invain jefts, and idle ſtories. Nor will itallow, onthe other fide, a moroſe reſervedneſs, and difcouraging austerity; buttemper gravitywith condeſcending affability.
To youthat arejuniors and candidates for the miniſtry, I will affume the boldness to addrefs you with one ſeafonable word ofadvice ; and it is this: Have a care of that light and airy ſpirit, whichſomuch obtains everywhere inthis unferiousage.
Itwas the charge ofGodagainſtſome ministers of old, thattheywerelightperfons, Rev. iii. 4. andyet I cannot butthink, comparatively speaking, with fome of our times, theymight paſs for grave and ferious.
The people have eyes to feehowwe walk, as well as ears to hear what we ſay.
It willbeout wisdom and great advantage, tobe able to fay, as St. Paul did, Phil. iv. 9. "The things which youhave both
"heard and ſeen inme, do."
6. Prudential expedient.
Ministerial prudence willfend you often to your knees, to feek a bleffing from God upon your studies and labours, as
The Character of a true Evangelical Paftor.
knowingall yourministerialfucceſs entirely depends thereupon, Cor. iii. 7.
Thoſeare the beſt fermons, that are obtained by prayer.
BleffedBradford ſtudied upon his knees.
Luther obtained morethis way, thanbyallhis ſtudies.
Ifanhonest husbandman could tellhis neighbour, that the reasonwhy his corn profperedbetter than his, was,becauſe he ſteeped the feed in prayer, before he ſowed it in the field;we mayblush tothink, howmuch more precious feedwe havefowndry, andunfteeped in prayer, and by this neglect have frustrated our own expectation.
Thus laying ourfoundations in the knowledge of principles, chuſing ourfubjectsby the peoples neceffities ; handLingthem in apt language ; working themfirst upon our own affections, enforcing them bystrict conversation, andsteeping this holyfeed inprayer; we shall approveourſelves the prudent minifters ofChrift.
2dly, Having faidthus much ofprudence, with reſpect to ourfingleperſonal concernment in the work ofthe miniſtry ;
Icome next toſhew its great usefulneſs with refpectto others, who are concerned either, 1. Withus, as friendly aſſiſtants inourwork.
2. Or against us, as enemies, who labour to obſtruct and fruftrate our work.
1. As to ourbrethrenandfellow-workers in the Lord, prudence will dictateand enjoin it upon us, thatby the firmeſt us nionwiththem, we make their gifts and graces as uſeful as is poffible, for thefurtherance andadvancement ofour great and difficult work. We cannot be ignorant how much Satanhath gained, and Chriſt's intereſt hath fenfibly loft, by thoſe un happydivifions and alienations amongst brethren, and fellow. labourers in the work ofthe Lord.
Chrift hath ſheddown variety ofglorious afcenfion-gifts uponthem, which are notca pableofa full improvement, but in union and conjunction with each other. Gifts are improved in usbyprayer and ſtu dy, but the benefits ofthoſe gifts are ſhared among usby love andunity. Love and unionbring every man's gifts and graces into the common bank, and instead of monopolies, they drive a free and open trade, to the great enriching of the church.
There isnot agreater, or morepleaſant variety ofqualities, ſmells, and colours, among the herbs and flowers with which theearth isvariegatedand decked, for the delight and ſervice ofman, than there is inthe gifts and abilities of minifters,
VOL. VIII .
Mmm
The Character of a true Evangelical Pastor.. for the uſe and ſervice of the church.
One hath quickness of parts, but not fo deep and folid a judgment : Another is grave and folid, but not ſo ready and preſential.
One is waryand referved, another open and plain : One is melancholyandtimorous, another chearful and couragious. When theſe different gifts and qualities ſhine together in the church, heavens, what aglorious glorious conftellation do they make ! andwhat ſweet benign influences do they ſheddown upon the Lord's heritage ! Alltheſe minifterial gifts and graces are improveable forChrift,
1. More privately, 2. More publicly, by brotherly union.
1. Moreprivately. WhenGod caſts thelot oftwo, or more, fellow-labourers in the goſpel, upon the fame city, town, or i neighbourhood ; what ableſſed advantage have they beyond folitary minifters, to carry onthe work ofthe Lord chearfully, vigorously, and ſucceſsfully ! Whilst love cauſes their hearts to claſp and clofe, how must their work be facilitated, ſweetened, and profperedin their hands ? But ifonce jars and jealoufies get in amongst them; ifpride, envy, or carnal intereſt diffolve the bond ofbrotherly love ; ifinstead ofplanting for Chriſt,, they once begin tofupplant one another ; no words are able to ſhew what a train of mischief and fins will now break in amongstthem, to the great dishonour ofChrift, and obſtruction ofthegospel.
I'do therefore, inthe name ofChrift, as upon my bended knees, earnestly intreat and befeech my brethren, by all the regard they have to the honour ofChrist, the ſouls of their people, their own comfort, or the ſucceſs of their labours; that no envyings, or strifes, noſupplantings, or detractions, beonce admitted, or named among them.
Methinks it is ſcarce imaginable, that those who have ſo lately and ſeverely ſmarted, ſhouldfall again into the fame follies, for whichGod hath chaftiſed them.
2.And asprudence directs us intothe way ofour profit and comfort, by this more private improvement ofour gifts and graces, ſo into a more excellent way, by a general unionand coalition with all our brethren, farther diſtant in place from us .
It calls upon us to bury, and forget henceforth the factious names of diſtinction, growing out of our differentapprehenſions about ſmaller difciplinary points. Howmanyferventprayers have beenpoured out ! howmany excellent irenicums have been writtenby thoſe excellentminiſters, that are now at perfect unity inheaven ! Though theydid not, yet I hope we
The Character of a true Evangelical Pastor:
and our children ſhall reap the bleſſed fruits of thoſe pious endeavours. Godhath ſpoken with a ſtrong hand to our pious and prudentbrethren, in and about the great city ofthis kingdom: They have moſt wiſely and ſeaſonably projected this great and glorious deſign : They have followed it cloſe with unwearied diligence, admirable patience, 'Chriſtian humility, and condeſcenſion; and, by the goodhand of the Lord with them, have brought it at laſtto a comfortable iſſue.
The happy reſultof their fervent prayers, and frequent brotherlyconfults,(all praiſe to theGod oflove and peace for it !) are now inour hands, inthoſe bleſſed ſheets, called Heads of agreement : WhereinGod hath ſignally helped them to evidencetheir wisdom inthe choice ofwords, and theirhumility andcharity, inmutual andneceſſaryconceffions.
Theyhave, by the mouth ofan eminent brother, (whoſe praife is in the goſpel, and whoſe hand hath eminentlyaſſiſted inthis ſervice), chearfully offered uptheirpraiſes toJehovah-Shalom, for making the two ſticks of Judah and Ephraim to become one stick in his own hand.
And now, brethren, they wait,yea, give me leave to ſay, Chriſt waits as well as they, for our explicit confent, and chearful fuffrages. We have heard the joyful found of our brethrens praiſes : Shall we not echo to it, and ſay, Hallelu jah, and again, Hallelujah ? Ephraim ſhall no moreenvyJudah, norJudahvexEphraim:Ourſwordsare turnedintoplow-fhares, andour ſpears into pruning-hooks: The Lord hath this day rolled away our reproach.
Thus prudence will direct us to carry it with love and unity towards our brethren, that labour in the work with us.
2. Let us next ſee, what direction itgives us, with respect to our enemies, who endeavour to obstruct and hinder the work of the Lord in ourhands.
Ifwe be heartily engagedin thefervice ofChrift, we must expect many adverſaries, and ſtrong oppoſitions ; men that will raiſe clouds ofreproaches, to darken our repuration among the people ; men,that will repreſent usto them as ignorant andunlearned, factious and feditious, erroneous and enthuſraſtical.
Prudence, inthis cafe, will reſtrain us from rendering reproach for reproach ; and propound tous the beſt project in the world, for the vindication ofour names, and fucceſs of our labours ; and that is, that we fo preach thegospel, that the people may feel the power of Chriſt in our doctrine ; and ſo live, that they may fee the beauty of Chrift in our converſations ; and ſo preaching and living, we
Mmm 2
The Character ofa true Evangelical Pastor. ſhall bear down allthe prejudicesofthe worldbefore us. Such doctrine, ſeconded with ſucha converſation, like the fun is theheavens, willnot only break up and ſcatter all clouds of reproach,but ſheddowntheir enlightening and enlivening influences uponthe hearts ofthe people.
Ineitherdo, nordare ſuggeſt and infinuateanythingin this diſcourſe, against any party or body of men; being convinced, thatamongst those who differ from us, there aremany learned, pious, andpeaceable men, who can heartily rejoice to ſee the work ofChriſt carriedon by thoſe that follow not them. Butſome thereare, almoſt ineveryplace,who aremore concernedfor a ceremony, than for the ſubſtanceofreligion ; for atileupon the roof, thana stone inthe foundation : Whoſe envy, if it cannot reach others by imitation, willbe reſtleſs till it meetthem bycalumniation. In this caſe, miniſterial prudence will carefully ſhun alloccafions ofexafperation ; and ifthat care be not fufficient to avoid them, it will furnish us with thatpatienceand conftancy which willbe ſufficient to bearthem.
Thus we see the neceſſity and excellency of ministerial faithfulness andprudence, distinctlyconfidered. Letus, next,
3. View them conjunctlyinſome ſpecial parts ofourwork, whereinto theyſheddown theirjointandcommixedinfluences.
Andtheſe, among someothers, are the duties of, 1. Defending truth against error.
2. Reproving offenders.
3. Dealing with diſtreſſed confciences.
1. There isgreat need of faithfulness and prudence, in defending the truths ofChrist, against the errors ofthe times.
Ourfaithfulness indeed will oblige us todo it; but prudence muſt direct us how todo it.
The establishment ofourpeople inthe truth, is one ſpecial endofthe inſtitution ofthe miniſtry,
Eph . iv. 11. but withoutthe aſſiſtance ofboth theſegraces, that end is never like to be attained. A faithful miniſter dares not befilent, wherethe fouls ofhis people are concerned ; yet all his endeavours to ſecure them, will be to little purpoſe, if prudencebewantinginthe management ofthat defign. Prudencemuftboth timeourcontentions, andregulatethe mannerof them.
It will never fuffer usto appear too foon, nor toolate: Not too foon,becauſe errors are ſometimesbest cus redby neglect, and in alittle time growwearyofthemselves; nottoo late, leftthey get head, and bepaſt retrieve : Haſty contenders, likeyoung faulconers, let fly the hawk withher hood on. Upon the other fide, iffriendship, or relation to
The Character of a true Evangelical Pastor.
feducers, ſtop our mouths too long, we may in a fewdays be entertainedby them, (as Thyeſtes was by his brother Atreus) withthe limbs ofour own (fpiritual) children.
Prudence will not ſufferourpulpits toring with invectives againſt ſeducers, tillthe moreprivate andgentle methods have been tried in vain; andthen neither prudence nor faithfulness willadmitof longerdelay. Butyet when they both advise us to engage, prudence must regulate the manner of the contention, and commands usto urge hard arguments,with mild andsoft language.
Erroriſts are usually hot andpaſſionate, proud anddaring perſons. Moſttrue isthat ofNazianzen, ψυσεις θερμαι και μεγάλαι ταυλης της ταρχῆς φιλίαις hot and haughty ſpirits are the cauſes of troubles and distractions in the church: Hotto hot will never dowell.
Theſe heights and heats are beſt taken down, and cooledby strong andmild reaſonings : " The wrath of man
"worketh not the righteousness ofGod." f 2. Thejoint commixed influences ofboththeſe graces, muft be foundin allour miniſterial reproofs.
Reprove we muſt, or wecannot be faithful; and prudently too, or we cannot be ſucceſsful. Hethatisfilent,cannotbe innocent ; and yet it is ameaſuring caft, whether cowardly filencebe moreprejudicial tothe reprover, than indiſcreet zeal maybe to the reproved.
Faithfulneſs is loath to loſe the foul ofanother for want of reproof: Prudence is jealousoflofing it bytheill management
! of the reproof.
Faithfulness faith, itisbetterto loſethe ſmiles, thanthe ſouls of men: Prudence faith, to ſave both is beſt .
Reprehenfion is Χειρεργιαλῶν παθων, the chirurgery ofthe paflions; andcutting-work is no eafy orpleaſant work.
Sickand painedmen are wayward, and pettish; butprudence will caft fetters upon their paſſions, and make them lie quiet, whilst faithfulneſs probes and ſearches their wounds to the bottom.
Prudencecan fometimes convey a reproofſo effectually andinoffenſively, thatthe confcience ofthe reproved ſhall ſenſibly feel it; andyethis paffions not beawakenedby the leaſt injurious touch.
Faithfulneſs confiders, and urges the neceſſity oftheduty ; prudence confiders the qualityoftheperfon, time, andmanner of application.
It will reach the fin, and yet (if poſſible) avoidthe offence ofthe ſinner.
It ſometimes directs us to convict an offender, by transferring the offence by way offuppofition to ourſelves ; ſometimes by relating a ſuitable hiſtory, or folding down a remarkable ſcripture threatening or example, as it were accidentally, to meetthem .
How prudently did Nathan prepareDavid,beforehe came to
The Character of a true Evangelical Paftor. touch the quick, with,Thou art the man ? Above all, prudence adviſeth us to keep ourſelves pure from thoſe ſins we reprove in others; and when we must apply the precious oil of reproof to them, that we work it in with thewarm, ſoft, gentle handof love and compaffion ; and then the reproof is like to do good, and the reprover receive thanks for his kindness.
" Let the righteous ſmiteme,it ſhall bea kindneſs : Let him 66 reprove me, it ſhall be an excellent oil, which ſhall not " breakmine head," Pfal. cxli. 5.
3. Once more ; theirjoint influences muſtalſo meet in all our dealings with diſtreſſed confciences.
Confcience is avery tender thing, andwhen fick and diſtreſſed, needs to be handled bothjudicioufly andtenderly.
The woundmustbe ſearched, faith faithfulness; it must be ſearched ſkilfully, faith prudence: He thatcan ſo ſearch and cure it, deferves that excellent encomium, One among a thousand, Job xxxiii. 23. What expert anddextrous perſons at this work, wereourGreenham, Crook,Dod, Ball, and Burroughs ! Every empiric can ſkin over a wound, but a faithful minifter will ſearch it thoroughly, and a prudent miniſter will heal it warily ; Ne vulnus in antiquum redeat, malefirma cicatrix ;
Leſt it fefter at the bottom, and break outagain with greater danger.
It requires a great meaſure of both theſe graces, to bring general confuſedtroublestofettle upon the right bottom ; to direct a fin -fick foul toChriſt, in the true goſpel-method ; to furnish thetempted Chriſtian with proper weapons against Satan's affaults, and teach himhow to manage them ; todiffolve the doubts, and remove the fcruples which ariſe almoſt inevery step of his way to Chriſt; and ſo to ſettle the fluctuating foul in a ſweet and fure dependance upon him by faith.
Theſe things, I ſay, require much faithful prudence, and prudentfaithfulneſs .
And thus we fee the manifold usefulness ofboth theſe graces inthe fervants and ſtewards of Chrift. Offuch I may fay, as Chrift in the text, Who then is afaithful and wifefervant ?
Hic nuncii (inquit Piscato ) rarifunt, ita ut ex mille hominibus vix unus reperiatur, qui munere illo recte fungi poffit, i. e.
Theſe ſervants (faith Piſcator) areſo rare, that out ofathousand ſcarce one manmay be foundthat diſcharges that office aright.
Chrifthath not many ſuch ſervants, yet, bleſſed beGod, fome ſuch thereare. And, 3. Whoever, or where-everfuch faithful and wife fervants are, Christ willabundantly reward them in the day oftheirac-
The Character of a true Evangelical Pastor.
count.
Which caſts me upon the third and laſt doctrinal head Ipromised to ſpeak to.
The glory prepared for, and promifed to ſuch ſervants ofChriſt, is elegantly laid out, in ſhining terms,bytheprophetDaniel, Dan. xii. 3. " And theythatbe
"wiſe, ſhall ſhine as the brightness of the firmament ; and " theythat turnmany to righteouſneſs, as the ſtars for ever
" andever." Apromise which points directly to faithful and wife miniſters.
Whata beautiful fight is the azure canopy of heaven, when it is about to ſhut its beautiful eye-lids ina ferene evening ! andmuch more,when it is about to open them with a fmile, orblush, in thedawning ofthe ruddy morning !
Andhow is that beauty again outvied by theglory ofthe ſtars, where the pleaſant light ſports and twinkles ! how doth one ſtar excel anotheringlory! Yetthus, andmore thanthus, even above the brightness ofthe fun itſelf,ſhall the fervants ofChrift ſhine ; who, by theirfaithfulness and prudence, have inftrumentally turnedmany unto righteousness!
The question about degrees ofglory inheaven isnot necef fary, but problematical. We reject with abhorrence the popiſh doctrine ofdiverſity ofglories, as founded inthe diverſity of merits : Nor is it queſtioned, among the orthodox, whether therebe an equality ofglory, as tothe eſſentials ; but only in reſpect to the accidentals, andconcomitants : Amongst which, they place the additional glory and joy of fuch miniſters, whoſe faithful and prudent labours God hath bleſſed, and crowned with the converſion and edification of manyfouls.
Andofthis theapostle ſpeaks, 1 Theff. ii. 19, 20. " Forwhat " is ourhope, orjoy, or crown of rejoicing ? Are not even
" ye, in the prefenceof our Lord Jesus Chriſt at his coming ?
" For ye are our glory and joy."
Where we find avery remarkablegradation. He calls his Theffalonian converts, " his
" hope, his joy, nay, his crown ofrejoicing."
His hope, that is, the matter of his hope, that they ſhouldbe saved.
Hisjoy, as they had already givenhim abundant cauſe ofjoy, intheir converfion to Chriſt by his miniſtry. Andthe " crown ofhis
" rejoicing in the prefence ofChrift, athis coming." This is an high ſtrain indeed ! The meaning, Iſuppoſe, is, that the fruit andſucceſs ofhis miniſtry among them, would add to his crown, and redound to his gloryin theday of Chriſt.
Obrethren! who would not ſtudy and pray, ſpend and be ſpent, inthe ſervice ofſuch abountiful Maſter ! Is it not worth all our labours and ſufferings, to come with all thoſe ſouls we inſtrumentallybegat to Chrift ; and allthatwe edified, reduced, confirmed, and comforted in the way to heaven ; and fay,
The Character of a true Evangelical Pastor.
Lord,heream I, and the children thou hast given me ? To heat one ſpiritual child ſay, Lord, this is the minifter, bywhom I believed: Another, this ishe, bywhomIwas edified, eſtabliſh ed, andcomforted.
This isthe man thatreſolvedmydoubts, quickened my dying affections, reducedmy foul,whenwan dering from the truth ! O bleſſedbe thyname,thatI everfaw his face, andheard his voice! What think we of this, brethren ? But far beyond this ; what will it be to hearChrift,the prince ofpaftors, fay inthat day, " Welldone goodand faith.
" ful fervant; thouhaftbeen faithful over afewthings, Iwill " maketheerulerover manythings: Enter thouintothejoy
" ofthy Lord," Mat. xxv. 21. O firs ! we ferve a good Maf ter, who isnot unrighteous to forget ourwork, and labour of love for his name-fake. Hekeeps an exact account ofallyour ferventprayers, of all your inſtructive and perfuative fermons; andallyour ſighs,groans,andpantings,with everytearanddrop of ſweat, are placed likemarginalnotes against your labours in hisbook, in ordertoafull reward.
But I have far out-run my own intention, and(I doubt) yourpatience too, in the doctrinal part. Iconſider towhom
I fpeak, and ſhall be the ſhorter in the application ; which I ſhalldiſpatch apace,in threeuſes.
1. For Information.
2. For Reprehenfion.
3. For Exhortation.
Ufe I.And firſt for ourinformation,briefly,intwoor three confectaries.
Confectary1.Bythis itappears, Chrift hath establishedan order and government inhis house,whichnowe mustvio
Ον κατέσκησε late. The church is a well ordered family, or •Κύριος. houshold, whereof Chrift isthe Head, Chriſtians members, minifters ſtewards, theordinances foodtobedifpenſedby them inſeaſon.
Every one is tokeep his own place and ſtation. Paſtors must faithfully feed and govern the flocks of Chrift, Acts xx. 28. Peoplemust know, honour, andobey thofethat are overthem inthe Lord, Theff. v. 12. Heb. xiii.
17. the one mustnot impoſe, nor the otherufurp ; but each walkaccordingtothe rule ofChriſt,witharightfoot,ordinately and comely.
This order is the church's beauty, Col. ii. 5. andtruly we may expect fomuch of Christ's preſence, as wehave ofhis rule andorder amongſtus, and no more. Othat the rules and orders ofhishouſe were better known, and obſerved! thenminifters and peoplewould clearlyunderstand, what they are to
The Character of a true Evangelical Paftor.
expect from eachother in theway of duty, and each perſon keephis proper ſlation.
Miniſters would not invade the civil callings of the people, nor thepeople the facred calling of the miniſtry ; but all things would move ordinately,fecundum,fub etfupra.
Thepleaſure of ſuch a fight, would as much tranfport gracious fouls withjoy and pleaſure,as the order ofSolomon'shouſedidthe queenofthe South .
Conſectary 2. In the light of this truth, we may also readour duty,how we ought togovern ourſelves in the ordination ofmen tothe ministerial office.
This office is tobe committed unto faithful and able men, 2 Tim. ii. 2. not to novices, I Tim . iii. 6. Iknow the neceffities ofthe churches are great, but no more haſte (I beſeech you) to ſupply their wants, than good ſpeed. Satis celeriter fiet, quicquid commodegeritur : That is foonenough, that is well enough.
It is a leſs hazard, to put an ignorant ruftic into anapothecary's fhop, to compound and prepare medicines for men's bodies,than to truſt aman, deftitute both of faithfulness and prudence, with the diſpenſation of Christ's ordinances to men's fouls .
Some men are movedby pitiful low ends. I Sam. ii. 36.
" Put me into the priest's office, that I may eat a piece of " bread."
Someby ambition,conceiting themſelves as able and holy as the beſt, Numb. xvi. 3. What mens ſecret ends are,we cannotknow; buttheir qualifications for that workwe may, and ought toknow. We are folemnly charged, to " lay
"hands fuddenlyupon no man," 1 Tim.v. 22. InSolomon's time, the Jews were exceeding careful and wary in admitting profelites, becauſe theywere then a flourishing and profperous ſtate ; not ſo cautelous intime of adverſity, as Joſephus obſerves.
I would diſcourage none that appear to have pious inclinations, matched with competent qualifications. Many be useful, that cannot be excellent.
Weaker gifts, rooted in agraciousheart, will growby ufing; but nothing grows withoutaroot.
I thinkthe plaineſtmen have done the greatest fervicein thechurch ofChriſt : as tender-eyed Leah brought forth more children than beautiful Rachel.
But ſtill fidelity and prudence are indiſpenſible qualifications.
Confectary 3. Ifthere be ſuch rewards, inthe hand ofChrift, for all his faithfulandwiſe ſervants ; Then wehave nojust caufe or reason to repent ofour choice ofthis office, whateverfufferingsand reproaches it hath, or yet may expose us to.
I believe none ofus everyet felt ſuch ſtraits, endured fuch miferies, or fuſtainedfuch labours, as the apostlementions to have befallen
VOL. VIII.
Nnn
The Character of a true Evangelical Paftor. him, 2 Cor. xi. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. and yet he heartilythanks the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, (for all that) who had counted him faithful, andputhim into the miniſtry.
Brethren, we have ferved a good Master, and have cauſe to admire his care over us, and bounty to us ; and whatever we have ſuffered, wemay ſay to them that ſhall ſucceed us, as Toffanus did to his children and kindred, in his last will and teftament: * " I charge you, my dear children and relations,
" That ye never be ashamed of the evangelical truth, either " forthe fake of offences arifing from withinthe church, or of " perfecutions from without it.
Truth maylabour, but can- " not be fuppreſſed: And I have often found byexperience,
" the Lord to be wonderfully preſent with them, that walk " before him diligently and uprightly." O he hath been a goodGod to us! he hath covered us in days ofdanger, made provifion for usand ours, andyet his beft rewards are behind.
Let none ſcare at the reproaches and perfecutions that attend the goſpel.
Use II. This point cafts an ireful countenance upon all unfaithful andimprudent minifters,who givetheirpeoplethe chaff for the wheat, and ftones for bread; whogloryin the title, and liveupon the profits,but neither feedthe flock,nor mindthe account.
They preach, they pray, becauſe they must doſo; but none are the better for their prayers, or preaching. They feem to labour anhour or two in a week, but theirlabours turn to no account; nor can be expected to turn to any good account, whilft they are neither animated by faithfulneſs, nor guided by prudence.
Agicola, writing de animantibus fubterraneis, tells us of a certainkind of ſpirits that converſe with minerals, andmuch infeft thoſe that work in them. They seem to buſythemselves according to the customofworkmen; they willdigand cleanſe, melt and fever the metals, yet when they aregone, the work mendonot find thatthere is any thing done. I came nothi-
ther (I confefs) to deal with this fort of men ; and therefore thall leave them to confider the words immediately following
* Obteſtor vos, liberos et generos chariſſimos, ne illius veritatis evangelice unquam vos pudeat, vel propter scandala domi, vel propter perfecutiones, quæ foris excitantur.
Poteft enim laborare,fednon vinci veritas.
Et nonfemel expertusfum Dominum Deummirabilliteraddeſſe iis quichoram ipfo ambulant, et infuavocutionefeduloet integre verfantur,&c. Melch. Adam in vitaToffani,p. 720.
The Character of a true Evangelical Pastor.
my text, which, like a thunder-clap from the mouth of Chrift, diſcharges woes and threatnings upon them ; ver. 48. to the end: " Ifthat evil fervant ſhallſay inhis heart, My Lordde- " layeth his coming ; and ſhallbegin to ſmite his fellow-fer- " vants, and to eat and drink with the drunken : The Lord of " that fervant ſhall come in aday that he looketh not for him,
" and in an hour thathe is not aware of; and ſhall cut him a- " funder, and appointhim his portionwith hypocrites. There
" ſhall be weeping, and gnaſhing ofteeth." Who can aggravate their miſery more, than theſe words of Chrift have done?
But I am principally concerned at this time aboutourown defects, both in faithfulness, and in prudence ; though neither oftheſe (I hope)be totally wanting in us, yet our defects and ſhort-comings may, and muſt greatly humble us. Our vain expence of much precious time, our ſhuffling hafte in ſo weighty a ſtudy as the ſalvation ofour people is ; our finful filence, when confcience faith, reprove ; our coldneſs anddeadheartedneſs ; our unſerious and unprofitable converfes ; our
pride and oftentation of gifts ; our neglect of perſonal conferences : All theſe evidently diſcover, that both our brains and bowels need more ſtrength and tenderness.
I will not infift here upon theſe particulars, (let us do that in our ſtudies) but haften to the exhortation, and therein to the cloſe ofthis dif-. courſe.
USE III.
Are faithfulneſs andprudence the eſſential requifites of the ſervants and ſtewards of Chriſt's houſe ? And will he ſo amply reward them in whomſoever he finds them ? Then let itbe our care and study to approve ourselves to him, fuch as hehere defcribes and encourages.
Butwho am I, to manage ſuch a work as this, amongmen every way above me ! However, you have calledme to thi ſervice, and Chriſt hathdirected meto this ſubject : And ſhould
Inow filentlypaſs over this part ofmywork, how ſhall I approve myſelf, either a faithful, or a wiſe ſervant to him that ſent me ?
Ideſpair of ever having ſuch another opportunity ; I fee many faces in this aſſembly, whom I shall never fee any more inthis world. I ſpeak to the ministers ofChrift, the guides and paftors of fo many flocks. May I be in the leaſt inſtrumental toquicken them in their duties, their respective numerous congregations will reap the benefit of it .
My brethren, this isthe dayI have often wiſhed for, when Nnn2
The Character of a true Evangelical Paftor. inthe ſadandfilent years thatare paſt, Ihave been ſearching my own heart, and enquiring intothe causes ofGod's indignation (as Idoubt not you alſo havedone) ; I have bewailed the forementioned defects before the Lord, andengaged my foul by folemn promiseto him, that ifhe would once more openthedoor ofliberty, I would (through his grace) labour to reform, anddo myutmoſt toperfuadeallmy brethren to exerciſemore miniſterial faithfulneſs andprudence.
And now I am where my foul hath long defired tobe, and thevows ofGodareuponme; fuffertherefore(dearbrethren), yea, fuffer fromunworthy me, This word of exhortation : Take heedtoyourministry, that youfulfil it : Take heedtoyourselves, and to the flocks over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers. Let us ſo ſtudyandpreach, let us ſoprayand converſe among ourpeople, thatwe mayboth fave ourſelves,and them thathear us ; let us frugally and industriously husband ourtimeand talents for Chrift; let us prudently contrive, zealouſlyand unanimouſly execute our holy contrivances, for the advancement of his kingdom and interest in the world:
Theſe are plotting times, wicked men are everywhere plotting to disturb the civilpeace; let us have our plot too, an honest plot, howto advance the intereſt of Chrift inthe fouls of our people ; wherein we shall alſo promote and fecure the civilpeaceofthat happygovermentwe live under. Letus learn prudence from our past follies, and conftancy from our paft experiences.
I look upon you thatare aged miniſters, as ſeafoned timber, that hath lain out near thirty years intheweather, yet neither warped, rained, nor rotten.
I confefs, in allthis time, the fun hath not much triedthe force ofhis influenceupon us, thoughtheſtorms have. Iſuſpect ourgreatest danger will be in the funshine of liberty.
Ifwe hold itnow, and manage this trial by liberty, with eminent faithfulneſs and prudence, humility and peaceableness, zeal and diligence; Chrift mayaccount us fit materialstobuildhis houſe.
Letus now redeem our many filent Sabbaths, bydouble and triple improvements ofthoſe we enjoy: Let none of usdare to bring our old fins into ournew pulpits.
Then will the Prince of paſtors delight in us here, and crown our prudent faithfulness with a full reward hereafter. In orderwhereunto, givemeleavetohint (for I cando no more than hint) theſe threethingsbywayofmotive, which are worth thinking on :
We have a ſolemn charge given us by Chriſt.
Wehavea folemn accounttopaſsſhortlywith Chriſt.
We have now agreatopportunity to improve for Chriſt.
The Character of a true Evangelical Paftor.
1,2.
1. We haveafolemn chargegiven us by Christ, 2Tim. iv.
" I charge theetherefore beforeGod, andthe LordJe- " ſus Chriſt, who ſhalljudgethe quick andthe dead at his
" appearing, and his kingdom; preach the word, be inftant " inſeaſon, and out ofſeaſon; reprove, rebuke, exhort with " all long-fuffering and doctrine."
It must be a powerful opiate indeed, that canfobenumb and ſtupify theconſcience ofaminiſter, asthathe shall not feel the awful authorityof fuch acharge.
The precious and immortal foulsofmen arecommitted to us, fouls, aboutwhichGodhath concerned his thoughts from eternity; for the purchase ofwhich Chriſt hath ſhed his own blood; for thewinning andeſpoufing ofwhichto himself, he hath putyou into this office ; at whoſe hands he will alſo requirean account ofthem inthe greatday.
2. Wehave afolemn account at that day topasswith Christ.
Heb. xiii. 17. " Wewatch fortheir fouls, as thoſe that must " giveaccount." And what can more powerfully exciteto faithful diligence in the discharge ofduty, thanthe confiderationofthatday ! Which the apostlehad mentioned, in 2Cor. v. 10. this awful appearance beforethe judgment-feat of Chriſt; he immediately infers, ver. 11. " Knowing therefore
" the terror ofthe Lord, we perfuade men."
Obrethren! let us beware ofcommitting, or ofneglecting anything, thatmaybring us withinthecompaſs oftheterrors ofthatday. Letour painfulneſs and faithfulneſs,our conſtancy andferiouſneſs, compel ateſtimony from ourcongregations, as the apostle did from his, Acts xxviii. 26. " That we are
" pure from the blood of allmen."
3. Wehave a great opportunityto improvefor Chrift ; which ifwedo, we shall fulfil his charge, and eſcape the terrors of hisjudgment in that greatday.
Wehave now (ifI miſtake not) the faireſtſeaſonwe ever enjoyed, ſincewe firſt preached Chriſt; if this be loſt, I queftionwhether we may everexpect the like. There isgreat odds betwixtourpreſent circumstances at our return to our flocks, andourpaft circumstances when we left them, and that both uponour own account, and upon theirs .
1. Upon our own account : We were then.young,and (comparatively)unexperienced miniſters to what we arenow. Tho' we have toomany defects andweakneſſes ſtill to lament, yet Iamperfuadedwehavenot ſpent ſo manyyears among trials, fears, and ſufferings in vain.
Theſe things, I am perfuaded, havegreatly improved our acquaintancewith God, and our
The Character of a true Evangelical Paftor.
Own hearts It willbe as fad as ſtrange, iftheyhave not. God hathbeen training us up in faith,humility, patience, and ſelfdenial in this ſchool ofaffliction. Whenwecould notpreach the doctrine of faith, we were reduced, by ableſſed neceffity, to live the life offaith.
The rules ofpatience, humility, and ſatisfaction in the willofGod, we were wont to preſcribe from our pulpits to the people, we were neceffitated to practiſe and apply to ourſelves in our fad folitudes, and various diſtreſſes, through which the Lord hath led us .
So thatnow we come better furnished to the work, than ever before. And I hope Ihave ground for you, brethren, to ſay, as the apostle, ofhis coming to the Romans, that you come among them " inthe
" fulness of thebleffing of the gofpel. of Chrift."
2. There is great odds upon the peoples account : Many of them were full-fed, and wanton, when we left them ; they are hungry, and ſharp fet, at our returntothem. An hungry appetite appears in the people in manyplaces, notwithout great cauſe and reafon. They are willing to take any pains : your words now drop uponthem as the clouds upon the clefted earth. O what an opportunity doth this give to accomplish thegreat ends ofour miniſtry among them !
Liftup your eyes, and behold the fields, are they noteven white unto the harvest ? Let husbandmen rather loſetheir feedtime and harvest, than we loſe ſo precious a ſeaſon, ſo great, ſorich an opportunityas this.
I have finiſhedwhat concerneth you, my reverend anddear brethren, and fellow labourers in the Lord's harvest : A wordor two remains to be ſpoken to the people, and I have done.
You haveheard what a variety of duty lies upon us, and what difficulty in every part thereof; yet all our labours would be light, and our pains pleaſant, mightwe fee more fruits, and fucceſs ofthem amongst you.
Yourbarrenneſs and unperfuadableneſs, your diviſions and inſtability coſt us more, than allour other pains inour ſtudies and pulpits. How easily andſweetly would the plough go, wouldyou butfet both yourhands ofprayer and obedience to affift us in that work .
You have now as bleſſed an opportunity as your fouls can defire, yea, that very feaſon of mercy ſome of youhave along
timeanxiouslydefired. You have confefſed to God, that you once finnedus out ofour pulpits; God forbid you should next fin us into our graves .
Ifyou be wanton children at a full table, our enemies are