The Christian Ministry

The Work now presented to the Public originated in a letter to a beloved friend upon the interesting subject of Ministerial inefficiency; which, at his desire, and by the disinterested kindness of the Editor of the Christian Observer, was subsequently inserted with a few enlargements in that valuable Miscellany and an impression taken from thence for private circulation. Several applications having been made for its separate publication, the Writer was induced to reconsider the subject in a more extended range, and to avail himself of the suggestions of friends, until the small pamphlet has gradually swelled into its present extended dimensions.

As to the Work itself — the Writer desires to be with his brethren “in weakness, and in fear, and much trembling.”’ He is aware that his proper situation, both in authority and experience, is at the feet of many, who are thus constrained to listen to him; and it would be to him a subject of the most painful regret, if he were supposed to advance any pretensions to a standard of zeal, earnestness, or Ministerial attainment, above his brethren. He has not described what he is, but what he ought, and what he trusts he desires to be; and if, (after the model of the Country Parson) he has ’ set the mark as high as he could;’ it is, because ’ he shoots higher that threatens the moon, than he that aims at a tree.’ He has endeavoured, however, to write in the first instance for himself; and to point every arrow of conviction at his own heart — “Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?”*

The Writer will be found to have dealt rather largely in illustration — not only, as being more suited to his relative situation with his brethren than didactic instruction; but as exhibiting that sympathy of care and anxiety, which gives to us a peculiar place in each other’s remembrance, an interest in each other’s prayers, and a witness in each other’s hearts. “The same afflictions are accomplished in our brethren that are in the world. “^

1 Chrisfian Observer, March, April, 1828. 2 1 Cor. ii. 3.

3 G. Herbert’s Preface to ‘The Country Parson.’ * Rom. iL-21.

s 1 Peter v. 9.

Vlll PREFACE.

The materials for this work have been brought from different departments of the territory of the Church. Though the Writer has had a special regard to the Ministry of the Establishment (to which he is bound by the strongest and most endearing ties, and which occupies in his view the most commanding station in the Church of Christ); yet he would be sorry to refuse a cordial admission, and to neglect a diligent improvement of the acknowledged excellences of the honoured men of God in other communions.’ If he should be thought to have been too large in his references, he can only apologize by his anxiety to shelter his own statements (which in themselves could possess but little weight) by the strength of accredited authority.

After all, he is deeply conscious, that this most responsible work has suffered — perhaps materially — from the unskilfulness of its treatment. He would desire, however, to be “accepted of his brethren,’”^ in a sincere attempt to subserve the grand cause, to which they, equally with himself, are consecrated; and he would beg to express his earnest desires to be favoured with private communications for the improvement of a second edition (should it ever be called for); for which purpose he subjoins his place of residence at full length.

For his work he has no other wish than that of the Country Parson: * The Lord prosper the intention to myself, and others, who may not despise my poor labours; but add to those points, which I have observed, until the book grows to a complete pastoral. ‘^

For himself — he would be animated by the concluding exhortation of an eminent Minister to his Student and Pastor — ‘And now go thy way, O thou son greatly beloved; and work in thy lot lively, and prayerfully, and cheerfully to the end of thy days; and wait and look for what the glorious Lord will do for thee at the end of thy days; in those endless joys, wherein thou shalt shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever.’’’

Old Newton, Stowmarket,
June 22, 1829.

1 The Christian spirit in one of the dignified advocates of our Establishment is truly admirable, which admitted the Life of Philip Henry (often referred to in these pages) into his collection of Ecclesiastical Biography — with the admission, that any Nonconformist of superior piety would also have found a place in his work. Wordsworth’s E<5- slesiastical Biography — Preface, p. xviii.

2 Esther x. 3. 3 Preface to ‘The Country Parson.’
* Conclusion to Mather’s ‘Student and Pastor.’

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