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النشر الإلكتروني

SERMONS

AT

ORDINATIONS,

&c.

SERMON I.

THE TEMPER AND CONDUCT

OF THE

PRIMITIVE MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, Illustrated and recommended, in a Sermon preached at Wisbeach, June 8, 1737, at the Ordination of the Rev. Mr. William Johnston.

2 Cor. iv. 5.-For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake.

THE apostle observes, that what had Happened to him with regard to his imprisonment at Rome, though it seemed to bear so melancholy an aspect, yet did on the whole fall out by the special providence of God for the furtherance of the gospel*; and we may justly apply the same reflection to several other very afflictive circumstances of his life, and particularly to the most perverse and unjust opposition which he met with from those factious teachers, especially of the circumcision, who gave so much disturbance to him and the churches. The attack which they made upon his character and interest at Corinth, laid him under a necessity of saying many things which he would have gladly omitted, and of mentioning some circumstances in his history, which had otherwise perhaps remained unknown, at least could never have appeared with equal evidence and spirit. While he is engaged in his own vindication, and entering into the particulars of his character and conduct, he drops many very edifying expressions, which are worthy the most attentive regard both of ministers and private christians; of which the words I have now been reading are none of the least considerable. He was obliged to say something which might look like an encomium on himself, and therefore chuses to speak in the name of all his faithful brethren

* Phil, i. 22,

in the ministry, as well as his own. Now after he had declared that they had Renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, which were the great mysteries of the heathen priesthood, and probably the secret spring which actuated these judaizing teachers, Not like them walking in craftiness, not handling the word of God deceitfully, or adulterating it with any foreign and corrupt mixtures; but acting so constantly in the sight of God, as to secure to themselves a secret testimony in the consciences of all that intimately knew them, and accurately observed them; he adds, For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake*. Oh that every christian minister, who in succeeding ages hath read these words, had been delivered into the mould of them! Oh that we whom God hath honoured with this high and holy calling, may make it our increasing care to form ourselves by them; and Beholding as in a glass the beautiful model, may be changed into the same image from glory to glory.

It will be my business in the process on my discourse from these words,

I. To illustrate the account which the apostle here gives of his own conduct, and that of his brethren in the christian ministry.

II. To consider the principles on which we may reasonably conclude they acted, and by which they were influenced to it. III. I shall close with some reflections on the whole.

I chuse to throw my discourse into such a form, as it will give me an opportunity of suggesting my advice and exhortations to you, my dear and reverend brother, who are this day giving yourself up to this excellent work, in the most humble and respectful manner; which I am now the more solicitous to do, lest I should seem to dictate to those from whom I shall always be ready, with great pleasure and deference, to receive instructions.

I. I am to consider the account which the apostle gives of his own conduct, and that of his brethren in the christian ministry: We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. In which words he plainly declares-that they did not make themselves the chief end of their ministry, but faithfully devoted it to the service of Christ as the great Lord, whom they endeavoured to serve by all the most humble and affectionate condescensions to those that were committed to their ministerial care.

It seems evident to me, that ver. 3 and 4, come in as a parenthesis.

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