hatred, and reproach, and persecution, in every place, and every age. It matters not how blameless a man is in the whole of his conversation, or how benevolent in the whole of his conduct; hated he will be, yea, and despised and perse- cuted too, if he be faithful to his God, and to the souls of men. Men will account him " their enemy, if he tell them the truth":" and so universal is this effect, that "if a minister please men, he cannot be the servant of Jesus Christ0." If we would " speak unto them smooth things, and prophesy deceits, and in our life and conversation countenance their worldly habits, we might easily conciliate their regards :" " if we were of the world, the world would love its own :" but when we bear our testimony against the ways of men, we must expect them to say of us, "I hate Micaiah, because he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil p."
Now it must be supposed that we have our feelings as well as other men ; and that it can be no pleasing thing for us to render ourselves objects of contempt and hatred to all around us : but we know what we have to expect : we know that " the servant cannot be above his lord ; and that it is sufficient for him if he be treated as his lord0-." But this plainly shews, that to maintain this fidelity is no easy matter ; and that, if we consulted with flesh and blood, we should " shun " the office which is sure to entail upon us such painful consequences.]
The solemn appeal which the Apostle makes re- specting his fidelity, leads us to notice, III. The importance of it to the souls of men — It is indeed of the utmost importance, 1. To those who are ministered unto — [There is but one way by which any man can be saved ; and that is the way which God has revealed to us in the Gospel. God, in his eternal counsels, " has laid a foundation for us in Zionr:" and " other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christs." Whatever men may imagine, " there is salvation for us in no other : for there is no other name given under heaven whereby we can be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ'." Now, if we conceal this way of salvation, or pervert it in any respect, either by adding to it or taking from it, we must of necessity mislead the people, and, as far as they depend on us, eternally ruin their souls. To have such a pastor, is their misfortune : but it will not be considered as any excuse for them. They have the sacred records in their hands; and if they studied them with dill—
» Gal. iv. lfi. ° Gal. i. 10. Pi Kings xxii. 8.
n Matt. x. 24, 25. r Isai. xxviii. 10. s 1 Cor. iii. 11.
4 Acts iv. 12.