be brought from a distance to further the base design. And, if a minister out of the establishment be extensively useful in converting souls to Christ, similar efforts will sometimes be made, not so much to save the souls of men, as to keep them from attending the ministry of one in another communion. I do not by this mean to say, that a minister in the establish- ment ought not to labour to keep his people firm to the esta- blishment ; for I conceive this to be his bounden duty, to which he has pledged himself, in his ordination vows : but to make this his main object in extending his ministrations, is to tread very close upon the heels of those who " preached Christ of envy and strife."
But there are others, blessed be God, who preach Christ,]
2. From motives that are becoming a Christian
minister —
[Yes, there are some, at least, who are like-minded with the Apostle ; who know, by experience, what an evil and bitter thing it is to be under the guilt of sin, and the wrath of God. They know, too, by the same blessed experience, what it is to have found a Saviour, and to have obtained peace through his blood. And they desire to be instrumental in imparting this knowledge to their fellow men, and in bringing them to a participation of the same benefits. They feel, too, a love to that Saviour, who has so loved them, and given himself for them. They desire to make him known, and to exalt his name in the world. Gladly would they see the whole earth subjected to his dominion, and all the kingdoms of the world united under him, as their common Lord. Hence it is that they preach him with ardour and with zeal. These were the motives by which the Apostle Paul was actuated ; and, through the tender mercy of God, a goodly number of ministers are raised up to tread in his steps, and to " be followers of him as he was of Christ."]
But, whether the motive of the preacher be good or bad, we must say of the preaching,
III. That, under any circumstances, it is a ground of
j°y—
It is doubtless much to be regretted that any person should execute such a sacred office from un- worthy motives ; and over the man who does so, we would weep with the deepest sorrow. Yet, whilst we mourn over him as involving his own soul in per- dition, we cannot but rejoice in his act, on account of the consequences that flow from it.