Even towards his persecutors this must be in active and con- tinual exercise ; his fixed determination being, " not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good^"]
Yet, not even love must be left to operate but under the direction of " a sound mind " —
[Enthusiasm is no part of true religion : it is rather in decided opposition to it ; and is always the offspring of an ill-regulated mind. True religion is wisdom ; and God, when infusing it into the soul, gives us " sound wisdom" and discre- tion s. A man under the influence of divine grace will pause before he acts ; and will weigh, as in a balance, the claims of duty, as they may be affected by times and circumstances. He will carefully distinguish between things necessary, and things of only subordinate importance. He will attend to the time and manner of doing what he judges to be necessary; so as to strip it of all needless offence, and to " cut off occasion from those who seek occasion against him." Both in the world and in the Church, he will be anxious so to demean himself, that all who behold him shall acknowledge that God is with him of a truth ^. He will give no needless offence in any thing ; but will labour, with David, to " behave himself wisely in a perfect way*."]
But, that we may the better appreciate his spirit, we will mark,
II. Its peculiar importance, in order to a due dis- charge of the ministerial office —
The words before us were addressed more imme- diately to Timothy, a young and pious minister : and they deserve the very special attention of all who either are, or hereafter may be, engaged in the mini- sterial office.
In such must be found no spirit " of fear " — [A minister is a standard-bearer : and if he faint, what must be expected of others ? He must go with his life in his hand: he must "set his face as a flint" against the whole world '^. No confederacies, whether of men or devils, must appal him'. His spirit must be that which is described by the prophet: " Truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord ; and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin™." And, in the midst
f Rom. xii. 21. e Prov. ii. 7. ^ 1 Cor. x. 32, 33.
i Ps. ci. 2. fc Isai. 1. 7. • Jer. i. 17. and Ezek. ii. 0,7.
ni Mic. iii. 8.
b2