Reflections of a Minister Encouraging Himself in Christ

Have I obtained mercy? Hath the Son of God loved me, and given himself for me? Hath he translated me from darkness to his marvellous light? Hath

be called me, and furnished me with knowledge, with spiritual experiences, for my work? Let me show forth the praises of him who hath called me. Why art thou cast down, my soul? Still trust in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the help, the health, of my countenance, and my God. Hath he separated me to the gospel of the grace of God? counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, and giving me, who am less than the least of all saints, this grace, that I should preach amongst the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ?

Let me magnify mine office. He hath raised me from ciie dunghill, and exalted me above principalities and powers, thrones and dominions, to be a stated preacher of Christ, a stated ambassador and herald of the Lord of hosts. How superlatively pleasant my business — to survey, to tell out, the exceeding riches of Christ — all my own! — to publish exceeding great and precious promises, all given to me! — to declare to my brethren the name that is. as ointment poured forth! — to proclaim redemption through the blood of God, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace! — to be ever, with joy, drawing water out of the wells of salvation; and have rivers of living waters flowing out of my belly, for the refreshment of others! — to be God’s unmuzzled ox, treading out his corn, the finest of the

wheat! to be a worker together with God in the

chiefest of all his ways, the salvation of men! — to be like angels, always beholding the face of my Father which is in heaven! — to be all the days of my life dwelling in the house of the Lord; beholding his beauty, and inquiring reverently in his temple! — to be measuring the height, the length, the depth, the breadth, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, and to be filled with all the fulness of God!

Let me, therefore, be in nothing terrified by my adversaries, nor by the arduous nature of my work. In the full assurance that Jesus is mine, and hath called me, let no distress, no persecution, no danger, move me. Jesus, the forerunner, for me is entered. He, the breaker, is gone up before me: he hath broken up, and passed through: he is on my head, and at my right hand; I shall not be moved: he sendeth none a warfare upon his own charges: he hath said to my soul, Lo, I am with thee alway, even unto the end of the world. As thy days are, so shall thy strength be. My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Fear not, I am with thee: be not dismayed, I am thy God. Fear not, worm Jacob! I will help thee. Behold, I will make thee a new sharp-threshing instrument, having teeth, and thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small; and thou shalt rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the Holy One of Israel. I will be with thy mouth.

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Behold, I have made thee a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and a brazen wall, against the whole land. I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee. I, even I, am he that comforteth thee. Who art thou, that art afraid of a man? I will give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth. He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance. He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. When he is come, he will convince the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. Be thou faithful unto the death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. To him that overcometh will I give to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father on his throne.

Bestir thyself, my soul; let me walk in the light of the Lord; let me set my face as a flint; let me give my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that pluck off the hair. I shall not be confounded; for the Lord God will help me. Let me go forth in him as my might, to promote the salvation of souls, that they may be my hope, my reward, my joy, my glory, and crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord. Nay, though Israel be not gathered, I shall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord; my judgment shall be with the Lord, and my work with my God. Is Jesus my surety, my sacrifice, my teacher, my Lord, my friend, my father, my husband, my Saviour, my God, my glory? Let me indite good matter touch-

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ing the King. Let my tongue be as the pen of a ready writer. Let my closed lips be opened, and sing aloud of his righteousness and salvation all the day, as not knowing the numbers thereof. Let Jesus be the end of all my ministrations. If I seek to please men, I cannot be the servant of Christ. If I chiefly regard my own honour, my humour, or my temporal advantage, how shall I hold up my face to Jesus, who loved me, and gave himself for me! If he is the beloved Son of God, full of grace and truth, for men, for me, — and made of God to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, — let it be my great aim to promote the glory of his grace in the salvation of all around me; and to be a good savour of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish. Let Jesus, in his person, natures, offices, relations, works, and blessings, be the matter of my ministrations. Let me exhibit laws, doctrines, promises, and threatenings, in due connexion with him — the law as a covenant fulfilled and magnified by him, and driving men to him — the law as a rule, sweetened in his blood, founded on his atonement, and requiring the improvement of him as our all and in all. The promises as yea and amen in Christ Jesus — the New Testament in his blood. If I display the perfections of God, let it be as they shine in the face of Jesus Christ. If I exhibit the blessings of divine grace, let me represent them as purchased with his blood, lodged in his heart, and distributed by his bountiful hand; and as blessings

wherewith the Father blesseth men in Christ Jesus. If I point forth the providences of God, let it be as the doing of ray Lord, and marvellous in my eyes. If I proclaim the terrors of the Almighty, let them appear as the sore punishment appointed for such as trample Jesus under their feet, and count the blood of the covenant an unholy thing; as the condemnation of the obstinate refusers of God’s unspeakable gift. If I call men to repent, let it be in looking to Jesus, whom they have pierced. If I inculcate prayer, let it be as a coming boldly to the throne of grace, in the view of having a great high priest, Jesus the Son of God. If I recommend thanksgiving, let it be as chiefly for Christ, and acceptable through him. If I press the duties of the law of any kind, let it be as part of Christ’s purchased salvation, as the fruits of faith living on Christ; as enforced by the authority, the love of Christ; and produced under the influence of Christ, and his Spirit dwelling in us; as conducive to the glory of Christ; and acceptable only through the merits and intercession of Christ. Let every particular duty be enforced with some particular consideration of Christ; 1 Cor. vi. 8 — 11, 15; 2 Cor. viii. 9; Tit. ii. 7,9; Rom. xiii. 14; Eph. iv. 22, 25, 32, Let my very style savour of Christ, manifesting great plainness and energy, extracted from the oracles of Christ.

Since Jesus hath put me into this dignified office, and hath assured me of his assistance and reward, let me show myself a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, and giving every one his meat in due season, in correspondence to their respective stations, conditions, and inclinations. Let me so preach the grace of the gospel, as to promote an humble and universal dependance on Christ; but meanwhile condemn the sluggish and careless professor. Let me labour to screw into every man’s conscience the divine truths suited to his case. Let me distinctly explain and enforce particular duties, and oppose particular lusts and vices. After searching my own heart, and much prudent pains to understand the spiritual condition of the various persons of my charge, let me labour so to apply my doctrines, that every one may know himself and his circumstances before God; so as the ignorant may be instructed, scoffers and gainsayers convinced, the stupid and secure awakened, the slothful roused and excited, the legalist and moralist have his hopes slain, the hypocrite may feel his covering too narrow to wrap himself in, the afflicted may be comforted, the wanderer reclaimed, and the sincere asker of the way to Zion may be directed,

In fine, holding fast the form of sound words, t; in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus,” and keeping that good thing, office, gifts, and grace, committed to me” by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in me let me carefully lay the foundation, in a frequent and pointed explication of gospel truth relative to Jesus’ person, righteousness, and sinners’ union with with him and justification through his imputed atoneh 2 do

LIFE AND REMAINS OFment. Let me, in the most clear and convincing manner, point out the nature and circumstances of regeneration and turning to God, together with the real marks of a gracious state, and the difference between spiritual and saving changes of the heart effected by the Holy Ghost, and the counterfeits thereof. In nothing let me study more accuracy than in explaining the nature, progress, and circumstances of gospel sanctification.