we ever should have had without them. It is true, that the example of Christ is perfect, and that the precepts he has given us are perfect also ; but we should never have known what heights of piety are attainable by " men of like passions with ourselves," if we had not known more of the Apostles than what is recorded of them in the Gospels. In the Acts of the Apostles we behold much of their zeal and dili- gence ; but in the Epistles, the full portrait of a minister is drawn with a minuteness and accuracy which we should in vain look for in any other place. To go no further than to the words before us — what an exalted idea have we of the love which a minister should bear towards his people, in this solemn decla- ration of St. Paul ! Let us contemplate it awhile : let us consider the leading points which his words develope ; and,
I. His love to the Church at Rome —
St. Paul was a man of a most enlarged heart : he loved all that loved the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity ; as well " those who had not seen his face in the flesh," as those who had been converted under his own ministry. He knew the Christians at Rome only by report ; yet he felt the most ardent affection for them ; and shewed that affection,
1. By his incessant prayers for them —
[The love which exists among the men of this world leads them to regard each other's temporal welfare : but spiri- tual and Christian love has respect chiefly to the souls of men ; and consequently exercises itself most in promoting their eter- nal welfare. It was thus that St. Paul manifested his love to the Christians at Rome : he prayed for them : he knew that God alone could make them truly happy ; and that he would regard the intercessions of his people in their behalf: and therefore " he made mention of them always in his prayers," and laboured " without ceasing" to bringdown upon them the blessings of heaven.
Now this was a decisive proof of love. Indeed by this we all may try our love, and may ascertain whether it be merely natural, or truly Christian ; yea, all husbands and wives, parents and children, ministers and people, may here discern, not only the nature of their affection, as by a touchstone, but
1820. J Paul's love to the church at rome. 7
the measure of it, as by a scale; and, by examining into the constancy and fervour of their intercessions for others, may learn the state of their own souls before God. O that, like the Apostle, we could appeal to the heart-searching God, and " call him to witness," that we have this evidence at least of " serving him with our spirit in the Gospel of his Son !"]
2. By his earnest desire to visit them —
[Love naturally affects communion with the objects beloved. St. Paul no sooner heard of the piety of those at Rome, than he conceived an ardent affection for them, and a determination of mind, if a favourable opportunity should present itself, to pay them a visit. For many years, occurrences had arisen to pre- vent the execution of his purpose11: but nothing could abate his desire of seeing them, when his way thither should be made clear. Hence, among his other petitions for them, he prayed particularly and constantly that God would be pleased to direct his way to them, and to prosper him in his journey towards them. This, in connexion with the former, was also a strong evidence of his love : for, had he loved them less, he might well have left them to the care of their spiritual fathers, and confined his own ministry to those who were nearer to him and easier of access. Had they been the peculiar objects of his charge, and had he laboured for many years exclusively amongst them, we doubt not but that his desire to see them would have been still more ardent. At all events we are sure, that no minister who truly loves his people and his work will be long absent from his flock without having this the constant language of his heart, " I long to see you ! " He may be separated from them " in presence, but not in heart."]