word which we preach to them, if it be not " a savour of life unto Hfe, becomes to them a savour of death unto deaths." If we had not laboured among them, " they would not, com- paratively, have had sin : but now they have no cloak for their sin*':" the more they are, like Capernaum, exalted in their privileges, the more deeply will they be cast down into hell for their abuse of them'. Who that has a spark of compassion in his soul, can look around him on the multitudes who have hitherto withstood his efforts for their good, and not weep over them? Who, when he reflects, that, with respect to many, his commission will prove only hke that delegated to Isaiah, " Go, and make the heart of this people fat, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed'';" who, I sa}', can reflect on this, and not be "in weakness, and fear, and much trembling;" more especially when he considers how much the failure may have been owing to his own deficiencies ?
Such then are, and ought to be, the feelings of all who have learned to estimate aright the difficulties and dangers of the ministerial office.]
Corresponding with these are,
II. The feehngs called for in a believing people —
These, it is true, are not expressly mentioned in our text ; but they are so closely connected with the foregoing subject, that we must on no account omit to notice them.
Two things are evidently called for on the part of those who are blessed with such a minister : 1. A reciprocal concern for his welfare — [Whilst he is thus " travailing, as it were, in birth with them," they should be deeply concerned for him, and study by all possible means to strengthen his hands and to comfort his heart. They should co-operate with him in every labour of love ; they should, as far as their influence extends, endea- vour to confirm his word, and to advance his work. In their own families, especially, they should be labourers together with him. Above all, they should assist him daily with their prayers. How often does the Apostle say, "Brethren, pray for usM" yea, with what extreme earnestness did he entreat this succour from the Church at Rome ; " I beseech you, brethren, for the
g 2 Cor. ii. 16. ^ John xv. 22. • Matt. xi. 22 — 24.
^ Isai. vi. 9, 10. ' 1 Thess. v. 25. Heb. xiii. 18.
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