takes place at the removal of a faithful minister, unless there be substituted in his place an Elisha, on whom the mantle of Elijah has fallen. When Moses was on the mount only forty days, the people, even with Aaron at their head, departed from the Lord, and made a golden calf. What then must not be expected, where the bereavement is of long continuance, and the people are left without any such distinguished saint to
superintend and controul them ? O let all of you take
care, " lest any root of bitterness spring up and ti'ouble you, and thereby many be defiled ! " ]
3. How earnestly they should strive to promote the interests of the Church —
[These elders were the same as in a subsequent verse are called " overseers," or bishops; and, as their peculiar duty called them " to feed the Church of God," he charged them to " take heed both to themselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost had placed them," even that Church, which our incarnate " God had purchased with his own blood." What weighty considerations does he here urge, to stimulate them to a diligent discharge of their high office ! O that every minister felt their full influence, and were actuated by them in the whole of his conduct !
But we must not suppose that ministers alone are interested in this charge : for every member of a Church may do much towards the establishment of his brethren in faith, and love, and holiness. All should watch over one another for good ; and this duty is still more imperative, when a faithful pastor is removed, and scope is thereby afforded for the entrance of con- tentious persons to distract and divide the Church f ]
f The course of discussion in this Sermon depending so entirely on the occasion on which it should be used, little more is afforded to the reader, than an outline, to be filled up as the occasion may require.