k Gal. i. 6, 7. and hi. 1. l ver. 9—11.
In Eph. iv. 14. " Ileb. xiii. 9. ° ver. 18.
P ver. 14 — 17. VOL. XVII. N
tremble for them. They are " like a cake not turned," (doughy on one side, and burnt up on the other,) alike unac- ceptable both to God and manq. And it is to be feared that they will prove at last to be only hypocrites and apostates r.]
Such doubts must needs be painful in proportion to the regard we feel for our people's welfare, and the importance of the object which we desire on their behalf. Every minister therefore should inquire,
III. By what means he may most effectually pro- mote it in them —
Waving other things which might be mentioned, we shall notice two, which more immediately arise from the text ; namely,
1. A personal intercourse with them —
[The evils arising from the non-residence of ministers is incalculable8. But a minister may reside in the same place with his people, and yet profit them very little, if he have not a private acquaintance with them, and frequent conversations with them on the concerns of their souls. His public minis- trations cannot be sufficiently particular to enter into the views and feelings of all his congregation. Errors may be- come inveterate in their minds, before he knows any thing about them. We do not impute blame to the Apostle for not abiding with the Galatians ; because his commission was to preach the Gospel throughout the world : but we are well assured, that the Judaizing teachers would never have gained such an ascendency over them, if he had abode with them as their stated pastor. His presence would have been more advantageous to them than a hundred letters; on which ac- count he says, " I desire to be present with you now." Let ministers then avail themselves of this advantage ; and the people give them every opportunity of access to them.]
2. A suiting of his address to their respective cases —
[When the Apostle was with the Galatians, he com- forted and encouraged them. Now in this epistle he warned and reproved them : and if, by conversing with them, he could restore them to their former state, he would gladly " change his voice," and speak to them again in terms of approbation
i Hos. vii. 8. r Matt, xxiii. 23, 24.
s This should be fully stated, if this text were the subject of a discourse preached before the Clergy.
2074.] a minister's chief wish for his people. 179
and confidence. He would adapt himself to the state of every individual, distinguishing the different degrees of criminality that were found in each, and " giving to each his proper portion of consolation or reproof, as the season" or occasion required*. In this way ought ministers to address their people. The speaking only in a general manner leaves the greater part of our hearers in an ignorance of their real state. We should descend to men's business and bosoms. We should " warn the unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, and support the weak"." We should answer the objections, solve the doubts, and rectify the errors, of our people ; and, by suitable instructions, confirm them in the faith. It is in this way only that we can enjoy much satisfaction in them, or expect to have them as " our joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of judgment*."]
Address —
1. Those of whom we stand in doubt —
[Think us not uncharitable on account of the fears we express: "we are jealous over you with a godly jealousy y." If we felt as we ought, we should be pained and distressed as a woman in her travail, while we see any of you in a doubtful state. We must desire to see in you what we know to be essentially necessary to your salvation : and while we behold any allowed and habitual deviations from the Gospel, whether it be in principle or practice, we must warn you of your danger. Would you have us tell you that you are safe, when we are doubtful whether Christ be formed in you? When we observe one proud, another passionate, another covetous, another unforgiving, another censorious, another formal, would you have us satisfied respecting you? Surely our anxiety about you is the best proof of our love : and we earnestly en- treat you all " to judge yourselves, that ye may not be judged of the Lord2."]