1. Me, as your minister —
[St. Paul is doubtless the best model for a Christian minister; and, consequently, he is most likely to labour with effect who follows him in the subject, the manner, and the scope of his ministrations. What then becomes me but to be a follower of him in these respects ? God helping me, this is what I have endeavoured to be, and hope to continue even to the end. I must know nothing but Christ, and him crucified ; I must warn or comfort men with all faithfulness ; I must not relax my labours as long as I can have access to one who is not yet presented perfect in Christ Jesus ; and I must regard the turning of many unto righteousness as the best and richest reward of all my labours ]
2. You, my stated hearers —
[The preaching of Christ is generally called enthusiasm : the warning of men respecting their guilt is deemed harshness : the labouring to instruct men is ascribed to an officious imper- tinence, or ostentatious vanity, or perhaps designing hypocrisy. A solicitude to bring men to a state of spiritual perfection is reckoned, I had almost said, among the most unpardonable of crimes; insomuch, that the drunkard, the whoremonger, and adulterer, shall meet with more favour from the world, at large, than a faithful, diligent, conscientious minister. But if we revere the person and. ministry of Paul, we ought also to honour those who resemble him ; and to concur with them to the uttermost, by a submission to their rebukes, a following of their instructions, and an entire devoting of ourselves to the service and enjoyment of God. We should have the same end in hearing which they have in preaching to us ; we should, not be satisfied with any low attainment, but desire and labour to be " perfect in Christ Jesus." This is what, through the tender mercy of my God, I have long experienced, at your hands ; and this is what I pray God I may ever see in you, as long as our mutual relation shall subsist, and till we be sum- moned to give an account of ourselves at the judgment-seat of Christ.
Let me however both " teach and warn " you. The time is shortly coming when I must present you all before God, either as having answered the end of my ministrations, and as having attained perfection in Christ, or as having disregarded and defeated all my efforts for your salvation. The Lord grant that I may not in that day prove " a swift witness against you," but may have you- as " my joy and crown of rejoicing " to all eternity.]