useful even to one. Confident that his "doctrine" is right, he must labour to inculcate it on all ; and leave to God the issue, whether it be to blind and harden men, or to convert and save their souls ^.
All this is the bounden duty of a minister : and of his labours in it he must give account to " the Judge of quick and dead, in the great day of his appearing."]
But, that we may adapt the subject more to the edification of all, let us consider,
II. The charge implied —
It is evident, that, if such be the duties of those who preach, there must be corresponding duties attaching to those who hear. On these, therefore, the charge enjoins,
1. A due improvement of the ministry —
[If we are to " preach the word," you, my brethren, are to hear it: and to hear it too, " not as the word of man, but as the word of God," and as the word of God to your souls.
Nor are you ever to become remiss in your attention to it. It should " be daily your delight," and " more to you than your necessary food." At all times, and under all circum- stances, you should look to it, as your sure directory, and your never-failing support.
Whether read in your secret chamber, or preached to you in the public assembly, your submission to it should be deep and unreserved. Every sentiment of your heart should be regulated by it; every lust should be mortified in obedience to it ; and every duty performed in accordance with it. You must, in particular, guard against itching ears and a rebellious heart; neither affecting novelty on the one hand, nor quarrel- ling with old-established truths on the other^.
Nor should you ever be " weary in well-doing." Whatever it may cost you to conform to God's blessed word, it must be done : nor should you ever rest, till your whole souls be cast into the very mould of the Gospel.]
2. A diligent attention to your own personal concerns —
[If ministers have their duties, so have you also yours, to which you are bound to pay all possible attention. Though you minister not in public, you should be as priests in your own houses, and perform towards your respective families all that the most faithful minister attempts for you.
f Isai. vi. 9, 10. g vcr. .'i, 4.
2259.1 A christian's dying reflections. 79
But, supposing that you have none to whom you owe these friendly offices, you must at least watch over your own souls, and with all diligence and fidelity endeavour to bring them into subjection to the commands of God. You must bear in mind your responsibility to God for your every act, and word, and thought; and must so walk before your Lord and Saviour, that you may stand with boldness and confidence before him in the great day of his appearing.]
In conclusion, let me bring the "charge" more directly to your hearts and consciences —
[Almighty God is here present with us, and has heard evei'y word that has been spoken to you. The Lord Jesus Christ, too, is present with us ; and records in the book of his remembrance every word that is delivered in his name. And soon will he descend from heaven, and summon the universe to his tribunal. Then will his kingdom be complete; and every member of it, from the first to the last, shall stand before him. Now, as in the immediate presence both of the Father and of the Son, I speak unto you ; and in their sacred name I charge you all. You shall all, ere long, stand at the judgment-seat of Christ, and " give an account of yourselves to God ;" and receive at his hands according to what you have done in the body, whether it be good or evil. It becomes YOU, then, to " receive with meekness every word" that is delivered, as it becomes me also to " speak even as the oracles of God." The Lord grant that / may so speak, and ye do, as those who shall be judged by God's perfect law^; and that both the one and the other of us may so approve ourselves to Christ, as " not to be ashamed before him at his coming'."]