2. How may it be rendered more effectual for our
good ?
[Search what it is that has hitherto obstructed the opera- tion of the word upon your souls. Some are careless and inattentive, so that the word never enters into their hearts ; in others, the word takes not any deep root ; whilst in others its growth is hindered by the lusts and cares which grow up together with it. All these therefore must be rooted out, that the good seed may prosper and increase. But there is yet another evil, which renders the most faithful ministry unavail- ing for the good of many : I refer to that pride and conceit which so innate the hearts of many, and render the Gospel itself odious in the world. This must be mortified ; and a childlike spirit be cultivated in the midst of us. " The meek will God guide in judgment ; the meek he will teach his way."]
1 Thess. ii. 7, 8. We were gentle among you> even as a nurse cherisheth her children : so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our oivn souls, because ye toere dear unto us.
BOASTING, when it proceeds from vanity, is hateful in the extreme. But there are occasions whereon it may be necessary to declare what the Lord has done for us, or what we have been enabled to do for him. When, for instance, we are suffering under false accusations, it may be necessary to state many things, which none but God has seen. And we have reason to rejoice that St. Paul's enemies constrained him to have recourse to this method of clearing and vindicating his own character ; because by this means we have all his exalted principles clearly developed, and the brightest pattern of human excellence exhibited to our view. But, independent of any such occasions, it is allowable to express the feelings of our hearts, and to bring to the remem- brance of those whom we love the opportunities we have had of testifying our regard. It is by such