doing an injury not so much to them as to their Ejng. When Hanun, king of Ammon, iU-used the ambassadors of Bayid, the insult wos resented as if it had been done to David himself. (2 Sam. x. 1 — 19.)
Let us remember these things, in order that we may form a right estimate of the position of a minister of the Gos- pel. The subject is one on which error abounds. On the one side the minister's office is regarded with idolatrous and superstitious reverence. On the other side it is often regarded with ignorant contempt. Both extremes are wrong. Both errors arise from forgetftdness of the plain teaching of Scripture. The minister who does not do Christ's work faithfully, or deliver Christ's message cor- rectly, has no right to look for the respect of the people. — But the minister who declares all the counsel of God, and keeps back nothing that is profitable, is one whose words cannot be disregarded without great sin. He is on the King's business. He is a herald. He is an ambas- sador. He is the bearer of a flag of truce. He brings the glad tidings of terms of peace. To such a man the words of our Lord will prove strictly applicable. The rich may trample on him. The wicked may hate him. The pleasure-lover may be annoyed at him. The cove- tous may be vexed by him. But he may take comfort daily in his Master's words, ''He that despiseth you despiseth me." The last day will prove tiiat these words were not spoken in vain.
Notes. Lxtkb X. 8—16.
8. — [Ecu such things as are set before you."] Quesnel remarks on this Terse, "An eyangelical labourer, to satisfy the necessities of
. life, may make use of all such things as are set before him, and are not foTbidden, provided it be done without eagerness or