ceased, the power of working miracles has been suspended, and plenary inspiration has been withdrawn; the Spirit will not supply the place of these, while Providence opens the way for the attainment of other powers which may be equally serviceable. We are not placed in the line of prophets and apostles, and of course are not to go forward as they did, without human preparation, relying on divine aid alone to furnish us with thoughts, arguments, and illustrations. He must be either ignorant, fanatical, or presumptuous, who would advise such a course. Smooth stones from the brook of learning thrown with skill, the Spirit will make efficacious in the destruction of error. In addition to piety, then, the minister needs a good education, in order to preach so as,

1. To interest. You must all have noticed that men look much to style and manner. It is so in lecture-rooms, and public assemblies generally. It is not enough that the speaker have just ideas and good thoughts; these must be well clothed, and well communicated; he must either charm or awe, else he is neglected. If this be necessary in the discussion of subjects to which men are not averse, it must be more so in the discussion of those subjects for which they have an aversion, as they have for the subject of experimental religion. Whence the popularity of Whitefield and Summerfield? They had something more than piety. Churches now understand this in settling their ministers. They have learned from the advocates of error the power of style and eloquence to gather and retain assemblies. Error has spread by employing the weapons of language, and thus truth must spread. The reason is, you were made intellectual beings, and as such must be affected by style and eloquence.

2. To instruct. The mere reading of the Bible does not answer the purposes of preaching, else you would need only pastors. It must be explained and enforced :

in order to this the minister must know enough to teach. He must be acquainted with,

1. The nature and power of language. You do not understand men sometimes because they do not use proper language. Thousands of controversies have arisen about mere words. To acquire this knowledge is no small

task.

2. Biblical literature. He must understand the customs of those who lived at the time the Scriptures were written. The languages also in which they were written must be known by many, else the Bible would be, as it were, a sealed book. Controverted points demand this knowledge. of the original languages; and are not the most important points now controverted?

3. Illustrations and analogies. These are needed to explain truth-to show how Christianity is in harmony with creation and providence. They are drawn from the arts, sciences, history, &c.; but who can use them unless he have them at command? And how can he command

them unless educated?

4. The evidences of Christianity. These are now called in question, for this is an infidel age. New theories are introduced, and new discoveries open the way for the skeptic to wrangle. The minister must be prepared to defend and to overthrow. You expect in him this preparation, and you know that he must become prepared by study.

This requires knowledge mind as the instrument;

5. The power of reasoning. as the data, and a disciplined the more of both the better. But the mind can be disciplined only by study; and who can instruct without knowledge? What is empty declamation? It is truth, its evidences, claims, and consequences, which we need to exhibit, and these the Spirit enforces.

We call on you to favour the object of this society with

your prayers and your money. Men are required to go. forth and preach, and God requires you to fit them. On you the responsibility rests of supplying the world with efficient men. Will you do it? In lending your aid to our cause you will walk in the steps of Wesley, carry on the design of Methodism, and promote the cause of God.

What will you do? How much are souls worth? How much did Christ sacrifice for you? What answer then will you make?

XXXIII.

STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH. -2 Tim. ii, 15.

THE great design of the gospel is to bring back this revolted world to allegiance to God, and, by the atonement and its consequent benefits, to raise men to heaven. All this, however, is to be done by means; this is God's economy. Hence he sent forth apostles and others to preach the gospel, designing that this system of means should continue to the end of time. To ministers, as was necessary, he hath given instruction relative to their great work. The text is that divine instruction given by Paul, just before his decease, to Timothy. Let us consider its import.

I. Ministers should seek the approbation of God alone.

It is natural to seek the approbation of our fellow-men; love of praise is one great impulse to effort. Ministers have peculiar temptations to indulge this passion, in order to collect large congregations, ensure popularity, and a handsome support. Hence the need of the text. They

must value "the praise of men" only when it is given to their consistency and piety, and then only as a means of doing good. The reasonableness of this appears from the following facts :

1. The approbation of men is given to sin. The state of the world shows this; did not men approve of sin, they would not practise it. Christ was perfect virtue personified; but men crucified him. Human nature, though almost deified by many, is the same now. "The carnal mind is enmity against God." Hence ministers should not seek human applause.

"Now then we

2. Ministers are God's ambassadors. are ambassadors for Christ." They receive their message from him, are bound to obey implicitly his orders, and to seek his glory. As ministers, they are accountable to him alone. They are to be recalled soon to render to him their commission, and from him receive their reward. Hence they are to seek his favour only.

3. The success of their embassy depends entirely on his approbation. He alone can give them strength, instruction, and the Holy Spirit; and these he will not give unless he approve. Without these all their efforts must be fruitless. "Without me ye can do nothing."

The approbation of their Master must be their constant aim in all their studies, visits, sermons, &c.

it they must exert themselves to the utmost.

To secure

II. They should be workmen that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

In order to this two things are indispensable.

1. A theoretical and experimental acquaintance with the subject of their embassy. Hence they should study the Bible with prayer and diligence, and should also avail themselves of all aids to this study, as far as their means permit. They should be experimentally acquainted with the nature of repentance, faith, and Christian experience.

2. A life in accordance with the gospel. Ministers should be examples to others, and thus show the possibility of carrying the theory of religion into practice. They, like others, are liable to sin; but the gospel can be obeyed, and they are to prove it by their lives.

"Rightly dividing the word of truth." As a labourer, the minister is to apply the principles of the gospel to all the minutiae of life, public, social, and private. He is to give to every man his portion in due season. To the Christian he must give instruction, advice, reproof, comfort, and encouragement, such as are adapted to his wants, and at the time they are needed. Hence the necessity of ascertaining his wants by conversation and watchful observation.

To the sinner he must exhibit both the terrors of the law and the offers of the gospel.

To the penitent he must show the way of reconciliation, and the promises of God, and thus lead him to Christ.

To the hypocrite he must declare that his hope will perish, and that without repentance he will be lost for ever.

The apostate he must urge to return to God, on pain of eternal banishment from his presence.

The minister has duties to discharge to the whole community. His field is the world. He must watch the signs of the times-learn what are the prevailing sins-show their nature, their consequences, and the remedy in the gospel. The community may frown and persecute; he may leave them as did Christ's disciples, but while he remains he must rightly divide the word of truth.

He must do this with a right spirit. No wrath of his must be mixed with his preaching. He must be bold as an ambassador, but kind; fearless, but affectionate. He must trust in the protection of his Master. Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Christ will provide friends, and through them food and raiment.

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