trial, such as are common to all who execute the minis- terial office. What these are, and what corresponding feelings they call for amongst a believing people, it is our present intention to inquire.
We will shew, I. The feelings experienced by a faithful minister —
However light many think of the ministerial office, it is a situation of great difficulty, insomuch that there is not any truly faithful minister who does not find the expressions in our text exactly descriptive of his own feelings.
To the frame of mind here spoken of, he will of necessity be led,
1. From a view of the vast importance of his v^^ork —
[A minister is an ambassador from the court of heaven, empowered to declare to men the terms on which a reconci- liation may be effected between God and them, and on which they who are now objects of God's righteous indignation may become monuments of his love and favour. A man who has the fate of an empire depending on him, sustains an arduous office : but all the empires upon earth are not of equal value with one soul. What a weight then has he upon him, who undertakes to negociate a treaty between God and man, — a treaty, on the acceptance or rejection of which the everlasting salvation of hundreds, and perhaps of thousands, depends ! Methinks this were an office for an angel, rather than a poor worm like ourselves : yet is it devolved on us : and every one who is able to estimate its importance, and desires to execute it with success, must needs execute it *' in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling."]
2. From a sense of his own insufficiency to per- form it —
[In one who would perform this office aright, there ought to be a combination of all that is good and great. There need not indeed be the same kind of knowledge, or the same species of talent as would be necessary for a person entrusted with the political interests of men : but there should be a deep insight into the great mystery of redemption ; a comprehensive view of it, as founded in the necessities of our fallen nature, and adapted to all our wants. There should be an ability to bring forth out of the inexhaustible stores that are contained in the sacred volume, whatever is best fitted for the establishment