_9thly_, Next to _prudence_ or _common sense_ (if it be not included therein) a clergyman ought certainly to have some degree of _good-breeding_: I mean, address, easiness and propriety of behaviour, wherever his lot is cast: perhaps one might add, he should have (tho’ not the stateliness; _for he is the servant of all_, yet) all the _courtesy_ of a _gentleman_, joined with the correctness of a _scholar_. Do we want a pattern of this? We have one in St. _Paul_, even before _Felix_, _Festus_, King _Agrippa_. One can scarce help thinking, he was one of the best bred men, one of the finest gentlemen in the world. O that we likewise had the skill to _please all men, for their good unto edification_!
In order to this, especially in our public ministrations, would not one wish for a _strong, clear_, musical _voice_, and a _good delivery_, both with regard to pronunciation and action? I name these here because they are far more acquirable, than has been commonly imagined. A ♦remarkably weak and untuneable voice has by steady application become strong and agreeable. Those who stammered almost at every word, have learned to speak clearly and plainly. And many who were eminently ungraceful in their pronunciation, and aukward in their gesture, have in some time by art and labour not only corrected that aukwardness of action, and ungracefulness of utterance, but have become excellent in both, and in these respects likewise the ornaments of their profession.
♦ “remarkable” replaced with “remarkably” per Errata
What may greatly encourage those who give themselves up to the work, with regard to all these endowments, many of which cannot be attained without considerable labour, is this: they are assured of being assisted in all their labour, by him who _teacheth man knowledge_. And _who teacheth like him_? Who, like him, _giveth wisdom to the simple_? How easy is it for him, (if we desire it, and _believe_ that he is both able and willing _to do this_) by the powerful tho’ secret influences of his Spirit, to open and enlarge our understanding; to strengthen all our faculties; to bring to our remembrance whatsoever things are needful, and to fix and sharpen our attention to them; so that we may profit above all who depend wholly on themselves, in whatever may qualify us for our masters work.
(2.) But all these things, however great they may be in themselves, are little in comparison of those that follow. For what are all other _gifts_, whether natural or acquired, when compared to the _grace_ of God? And how ought this to animate and govern the whole _intention_, _affection_, and _practice_ of a minister of _Christ_.
1. As to his _intention_, both in undertaking this important office, and in executing every part of it, ought it not to be singly this, to glorify God, and to save souls from death? Is not this absolutely and indispensably necessary, before all and above all things? _If_ his _eye be single, his whole body_, his whole soul, his whole work _will be full of light_. God _who commanded light to shine out of darkness_, will _shine on his heart_; will direct him in all his ways, will give him to see the travel of his soul and be satisfied. But if his eye, his intention be not single, if there be any mixture of meaner motives, (how much more, if those were or are his _leading motives_ in undertaking or exercising this high office?) his _whole body_, his whole soul will _be full of darkness_, even such as issues from _the bottomless pit_: let not such a man think, that he shall have any blessing from the Lord. No: The curse of God abideth on him. Let him not expect to enjoy any settled peace, any solid comfort in his own breast: neither can he hope, there will be any fruit of his labours, any sinners converted unto God.
*2. As to his _affections_. Ought not a _steward of the mysteries of_ God, a shepherd of the souls for whom _Christ_ died, to be endued with an eminent measure of love to God, and love to all his brethren? A love the same in kind, but in degree far beyond that of ordinary Christians? Can he otherwise answer the high character he bears, and the relation wherein he stands? Without this, how can he go through all the toils and difficulties which necessarily attend the faithful execution of his office? Would it be possible for a parent to go through the pain and fatigue of bearing and bringing up even one child, were it not for that vehement affection, that inexpressible Στοργὴ, which the Creator has given for that very end? How much less will it be possible for any pastor, any spiritual parent to go through the pain and labour of _travailing in birth for_, and bringing up many children, to the measure of the full stature of _Christ_, without a large measure of that inexpressible affection, which _a ♦stranger intermeddleth not with_?
♦ “straning” replaced with “stranger”