3. The spirit with which alone men should enter on the ministerial office —
[Many, in undertaking this office, have no view but to their own case, or interest, or honour : and if in these thmgs pre-eminence is to consist, they would have no objection to equal " the very chiefest Apostles." But if their preferment is to resemble that of St. Paul, they care not how many get before them : they have no taste for such things ; and if they had ever so small a measure of them, they would account it much more an occasion of complaint than any ground of glorying. But it was in labours and sufferings that St. Paul gloried ; first, because they were the best proofs of his mi- nisterial fidelity^; and, next, because they were the means of magnifying the grace of Christ, whose strength was perfected in his weakness^. Would to God that more of his spirit were found amongst us ! There would not then be such difficulty in finding men to go forth to the work of missions. Now, the leaving of earthly friends, the incurring of some danger from foreign climes, the having but small provision, and looking for- ward to many difficulties and privations; these are such formidable obstacles, that but few are willing to encounter them. But they who have so little zeal for God, as not to be willing to encounter trials and afflictions in his service, are not fit for the ministry in any place : they may satisfy themselves with a ceremonious round of duties ; but they vvill not so satisfy their God, who requires his stewards to be faithful, and his soldiers to war a good warfare. We must tread in the steps of Paul, if ever we would " save ourselves and them that hear us " ]
4. The proper influence of redeeming love — [Look at the text, all ye who profess to believe in Christ.
See what faith will do, wherever it exists in truth. Look and see what ye have ever done for the Lord that can be compared with this : say whether the best amongst you have not cause to blush and mourn for your unprofitableness? If you ask the Apostle Paul, what it was that animated him to such exertions,
e 2 Cor. vi. 4. ^ 2 Cor. xii. 9.