of sound doctrine and the refutation of error, as also for the correction of every thing that is wrong in practice, and the promotion of universal righteousness*^: he should be " a scribe well instructed unto the kingdom of God," and able to meet every case with suitable instruction. He should also be endued with such grace, as to exemplify in his own spirit and conduct all that he teaches to others ; being " an example to believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity''." But, as St. Paul himself says, " Who is sufficient for these things?" Who that has any consciousness of his own ignorance and sinfulness, does not tremble at the idea of his own utter inadequacy to the work assigned him ?]
3. From a consideration of his own awful respon- sibility—
[We are constituted watchmen to the house of Israel; and are warned beforehand, that if any soul shall perish through our neglect, his " blood shall be required at our hand^ :" and on this account we are told to " watch for souls, as those who must give account^." But who can reflect on this, and not tremble? It is an awful thought, that we must every one of us answer for ourselves : but how much more, that we must give an account of the hundreds and thousands that are com- mitted to our charge ! Verily, if there were not a God of infinite mercy to pity our weakness and to pardon our defects, I know not who would dare to undertake the office. When- ever we hear the bell announcing the death or funeral of one that was under our care, we are constrained to ask. What was the state of that soul ? Did I do all that I could for him whilst he was alive ? Can I say as before God, that " I am pure from his blood ? " Ah, brethren ! this is sometimes a heavy load upon the mind; for, of all the people upon the face of the earth, the man who most stands in need of superabounding grace and mercy, is he who has the care of souls committed to him : and the minister that does not tremble at this thought, has, above all men in the world, the most need to tremble.]
4. From an apprehension lest his labour should after all be in vain —
[The labours of Jesus himself, and of all his Apostles, were, with respect to the great mass of their hearers, in vain : no wonder, therefore, that it is so with i-espect to us. And what a distressing thought is this, that we eventually increase the guilt and condemnation of vast multitudes, over whom we have wept, and for whose salvation we have laboured ! The
= 2 Tim. iii. 16. ^ 1 Tim. iv. 12.
c I'zok. xxxiii. 6 — 8. *" Heb. xiii. 17.