A steward, or hDuseholder, has the charge of pro- viding for the family. He considers not only what is wanting at the present moment, but what will be wanted on future occasions ; and he preserves for future use the productions of foreign climes, or of successive seasons. Thus every pious minister la- bours to provide for the Church of God.
1. He makes himself acquainted with the wants of all his people —
[The Church, over which he is made an overseer, is God's family. To supply their returning wants is his peculiar duty. Hence he is led to reflect upon their various states. He contem- plates the difficulties and dangers to which they are exposed, the trials and temptations which they have to sustain, and the consolations and supports which they severally need ; and thus he endeavours to learn what will be most suitable to their respective cases.]
2. He lays up in store what he may afterwards bring forth for their use —
[The Scriptures are the grand repository of sacred know- ledge. These therefore he searches with all diligence, and 'treasures" up with care. But while he furnishes his mind with " old things" he is observant also of " new." What he daily sees, or hears, or feels, is added carefully to his stock. Thus his knowledge becomes enlarged by observation, and matured by experience; and his fund of information is suited to the necessities of all to whom he ministers.]
In prosecuting his work,
n. He dispenses seasonably to each according to their respective wants — A householder, or steward, furnishes out of his store what is wanted for daily use, and apportions to ail the branches of the family what is suited to their respective stations. Thus a well-instructed minister demeans himself in the Church of Christ :
1. He gives to all an agreeable variety — [Though Christ and his salvation be the great topic of his discourses, he descends, on proper occasions, to many other subjects connected with it. He opens the mysteries of the " Old" Testament, and illustrates them by the " New" He declares what God has asserted in his word, and confirms it by appeals to acknowledged facts, and to the experience of all around him. And though " it is not gi'ievous to him to repeat"