1. Because it is by this only that the ends of their Ministry are answered —
[If the Minister impart to his children " the sincere milk of the word," it is, " that they may grow thereby :" or, if he set before them "the stronger meat" of the Gospel, it is, that those who are able to receive it may be the more nourished
and 'Prov.iv. IS,
and strengtliened for their future labours. If he see no growth in them, "he stands in doubt" whether they have ever been truly and savingly converted to the faith of Christ; and "he travails, as it were, a second time in birth with them, until Christ be fully and visibly formed in thems." But when he beholds the plants, which he is daily watering, thriving, and diffusing all around the fragrancy of holy and devout affections, he sees of the travail of his soul and is satisfied: and what the angels enjoyed at the first symptoms of their conversion, he enjoys from day to day : his very life is bound up in their welfare ; and " he then lives, when they stand fast in the Lord^"]
2. Because by this only can God be glorified — [Nothing brings more dishonour to God than an incon- sistent conduct in those who profess godliness. The very name of God is often blasphemed througli the misconduct of those who call themselves his peculiar people. The ungodly world are not content with condemning the offending individual ; " they speak evil of the way of truth" itself, as though that countenanced and even produced the evils that have been committed. On the other hand, " the person who brings forth much fruit glorifies God," and " by his w^ell-doing puts to silence the ignorance of foolish men." To a Minister who loves the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and is jealous for the honour of his name, nothing can be more delightful than to see truth triumphing over error, and the kingdom of Christ exalted on the ruins of Satan's empire. On every fresh report that is brought to his ears, he will exclaim, " Hallelujah ! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!" ]
3. Because without this they can have no hope of ever meeting their people in the realms of bliss — •
[How joyful is the thought of that hour, when the Minister shall go with his people into the presence of his God, saying, " Here am I, and the children thou hast given me!" And how glorious will be the recompence of his la- bours, M'hen he shall " have them as his joy and crown of rejoicing" to all eternity'! If an earthly parent hear of his children, that they are advancing visibly in every thing that is good, so that, though he have no hope of seeing them in this world, he feels assured that he shall meet them again at the right hand of God, and dwell with them for ever in his immediate pr(>sence; the thought of a temporary sepa- ration from them is swallowed up in the joy that the blessed prospect afiords him. So it is with the spiritual Parent, when beholding or hearing of the prosperity of his children:
for 6 Gal. iv. 19, 20. »> 1 Thess. ill. 8. ' 1 Thess. ii. IQ, 20.
1196.] THE christian's DUTIES. 297
for he knows that he shall " rejoice in the day of Christ, that he has not run in vain, or laboured in vain\"]
Permit me now to address you,
1 , In a way of retrospective inquiry —
[What report must I hear of you? What report have you to give me of yourselves? Has your walk been con- sistent, uniform, progressive ? Be assured, I am
prepared to rejoice in youi* welfare with a truly paternal joy ]
2. In a way of prospective admonition —
[Great and manifold are your dangers, whatever pro- gress you may have made. That you may escape them, " take heed to God's word," and follow the steps of your blessed Lord: and look to him for all needful strength. " Be strong in hinij" and you shall " be more than conquerors through