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Christ The Example Of Ministers
by Jonathan Edwards
Preached at Portsmouth, at the ordination of
the Rev. Mr. Job Strong, June 28, 1749.
John 13:15, 16, "For I
have given you an example, that he should do as I have done to you.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his
lord, neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him."
WE have in the context an account of one of the many very remarkable
things that passed that night wherein Christ was betrayed (which was on
many accounts the most remarkable night that ever was), viz. Christ’s
washing his disciples’ feet; which action, as it was exceeding wonderful
in itself, so it manifestly was symbolical, and represented something
else far more important and more wonderful, even that greatest and most
wonderful of all things that ever came to pass, which was accomplished
the next day in his last sufferings. There were three symbolical
representations given of that great event this evening; one in the
passover, which Christ now partook of with his disciples; another in
this remarkable action of his washing his disciples’ feet. Washing the
feet of guests was the office of servants, and one of their meanest
offices. And therefore was fitly chosen by our Savior to represent that
great abasement which he was to be the subject of in the form of a
servant, in becoming obedient unto death, even that ignominious and
accursed death of the cross, that he might cleanse the souls of his
disciples from their guilt and spiritual pollution.
This spiritual washing and cleansing of believers was the end for which
Christ so abased himself for them. Tit. 2:14, “Who gave himself for us,
that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
peculiar people.” Eph. 5:25, 26, “Christ loved the church, and gave
himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing
of water.” That Christ’s washing his disciples’ feet signified this
spiritual washing of the soul, is manifest by his own words in the 8th
verse of the context, “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my
feet. Jesus answered him. If I wash thee now, thou has no part with me.”
Christ, in being obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, not
only did the part of a servant unto God, but in some respects also of a
servant unto us. And this is not the only place where his so abasing
himself for our sakes is compared to the doing of the part of a servant
to guests. We have the like representation made in Luke 22:27, “For
whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not
he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth.” And
wherein Christ was among the disciples as he that did serve, is
explained in Mat. 20:28. Namely, in his giving his life a ransom for
them.
When Christ had finished washing his disciples’ feet, he solemnly
requires their attention to what he had done, and commands them to
follow his example therein. Verses 12-17, “So after he had washed their
feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto
them, Know ye what I have done unto you? Ye call me Master and Lord, and
ye say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed
your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet: for I have given
you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily,
I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord, neither he
that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things,
happy are ye if ye do them.”
When our Savior calls on his disciples to imitate the example he had
given them in what he had done, we are to understand him, not merely by
the example he gave in the emblematical action, in washing his
disciples’ feet, in itself considered, but more especially, of that much
greater act of his that was signified by it, in abasing himself so low,
and suffering so much, for the spiritual cleansing and salvation of his
people.
This is what is chiefly insisted on as the great example Christ has
given us to follow. So it is once and again afterward, in the discourse
Christ had with his disciples, this same night, verse 34 of the chapter
wherein is the text, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love
one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John
15:12, 13, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have
loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends.” And so in 1 John 3:16, “Hereby perceive we the
love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay
down our lives for the brethren.
Christ, in the words of the text, does not only intend to recommend this
example of his to the disciples as Christians, or some of his professing
people, but especially as his ministers. This is evident by those words
he uses to enforce this counsel. “Neither he that is sent, is greater
than he that sent him.” In which words he manifestly has respect to that
great errand on which he had sent them, when he bid them go and preach
the gospel to the lost sheep of the house of Israel; Mat. 10:5, 6. And
on which they were to be sent after his resurrection, when he said to
them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature.” The same errand that Christ has respect to John 20:21, “As my
Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
And what confirms this is, that Christ elsewhere recommends to officers
in his church, that are in that respect chief among his followers, the
example which he set in his abasing himself to be as a servant that
minister, to guests at a table, in his giving for us; Mat. 20:27, 28,
“Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the
Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give
his life a ransom for many.” Compare Luke 22:25-28.
The work and business of ministers of the gospel is as it were that of
servants, to wash and cleanse the souls of men. For this is done by the
preaching of the word, which is their main business. Eph. 5:26, “That he
might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”
The words of the text thus considered, do undoubtedly lead us to this
conclusion, and teach us this doctrine, viz.
That it is the duty of ministers of the gospel, in the work of their
ministry, to follow the example of their great Lord and Master.
And this is what I would by divine assistance make the subject of my
present discourse.
And I propose to handle this subject in the following method:
I. I would observe wherein ministers of the gospel ought to follow the
example of Christ.
II. Give some reasons why they should follow his example.
III. I would endeavor to make a proper application of those things to
myself, and others that are called to this work of the ministry.
IV. Show what improvement should be made of them by the people of this
church and congregation.
I. Then, I would show wherein ministers of the gospel ought, in the work
of their ministry, to follow the example of their great Lord and Master,
Jesus Christ.
And here,
First, in general, ministers should follow their Lord and Master in all
those excellent virtues, and in that universal and eminent holiness of
life, which he set an example of in this human nature.
The ministers of Christ should be persons of the same spirit that their
Lord was of: the same spirit of humility and lowliness of heart; for the
servant is not greater than his Lord. They should be of the same spirit
of heavenly-mindedness, and contempt of the glory, wealth, and pleasures
of this world. They should be of the same spirit of devotion and fervent
love to God. They should follow the example of his prayerfulness; of
whom we read from time to time of his retiring from the world, away from
the noise and applause of the multitudes, into mountains and solitary
places, for secret prayer, and holy converse with his Father; and once
of his rising up in the morning a great while before day, and going and
departing into a solitary place to pray, Mark 1:35. And another time, of
his going out into a mountain to pray, and continuing all night in
prayer to God, Luke 6:12. Ministers should follow Christ’s example, in
his strict, constant, and inflexible observance of the commands which
God has given him, touching what he should do and what he should say; he
spake nothing of himself, but those things which the Father had
commanded him, those he spake, and always did those things that pleased
him, and continued in thorough obedience in the greatest trials, and
through the greatest opposition that ever there was any instance of.
Ministers should be persons of the same quiet, lamb-like spirit that
Christ was of, the same spirit of submission to God’s will, and patience
under afflictions, and meekness towards men; of the same calmness and
composure of spirit under reproaches and sufferings from the malignity
of evil men; of the same spirit of forgiveness of injuries; of the same
spirit of charity, of fervent love and extensive benevolence; the same
disposition to pity the miserable, to weep with those that weep, to help
men under their calamities of both soul and body, to hear and grant the
requests of the needy, and relieve afflicted; the same spirit of
condescension to the poor and mean, tenderness and gentleness toward the
weak, and great and effectual love to enemies. They should also be of
the same spirit of zeal, diligence, and self-denial for the glory of
God, and advancement for his kingdom, and for the good of mankind; for
which things’ sake Christ went though the greatest labors, and endured
the most extreme sufferings.
Second, more particularly should ministers of the gospel follow the
example of their great Master, in the manner in which they seek the
salvation and happiness of the souls of men. They should follow his
example of love to souls. Though it be impossible that they should love
them to so great a degree, yet they should have the same spirit of love
to them, and concern for their salvation, according to their capacity.
Love to men’s souls in Christ was far above any regard he had to his
temporal interest, his ease, his honor, his meat and drink. And so it
should be with his ministers. They should have the same spirit of
compassion to men under their spiritual calamities and miseries that he
had, of whom we read, Mark 6:34, “That when he came out and saw much
people, he was moved with compassion towards them, because they were as
sheep not having a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.”
The word translated moved with compassion, signifies, that he was most
sensibly affected, and his inmost bowels moved with pity. And again we
read, Luke 19, that when Christ was riding to Jerusalem, that wicked
city, but a few days before his crucifixion, and was come to the descent
of the mount of Olives, where he had a fair view of the city, when he
beheld it, he wept over it, on account of the misery and ruin they
brought themselves into danger of by their sin. Although the sin by
which especially they had made themselves thus miserable, was their vile
treatment of him (for Jerusalem was a city that had been peculiarly
injurious to him). And though Christ knew how cruelly he should be
treated in that city before that week was past, how he there should be
set at nought, and with great malignity bound, falsely accused and
condemned, reviled, spit upon, scourged, and crucified; yet all does not
prevent his most affectionate tears of compassion towards them. “When he
was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou
hadst know, even thou (thou, as wicked as thou art, and as vile as thou
hast been in thy treatment of me; even thou), the things which belong
unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes.” (Compare Mat.
23:37, and Luke 13:34). One would have thought he would have been more
concerned for himself than Jerusalem, who had such a dreadful cup to
drink, and was to suffer such extreme things by the cruelty of Jerusalem
that week. But he, as it were, forgets his own sorrow and death, and
weeps over the misery of his cruel enemies.
Ministers should imitate their great Master in his fervent prayers for
the good of the souls of men. We find it to be Christ’s manner, whenever
he undertook anything of special importance in the work of his ministry,
first to retire and pour out his soul in extraordinary prayer to this
Father. Thus when he was about to enter on a journey, and go a circuit
throughout all Galilee, to preach in their synagogues, “he rose up a
great while before day, and went out, and departed into a solitary
place, and there prayed.” Mark 1:35-39. And when he was about to choose
his twelve apostles, and send them out to preach the gospel, he first
went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to
God. Luke 6:12, etc. And the night before his crucifixion, wherein he
offered up himself a sacrifice for the souls of men, he pours out his
soul in extraordinary prayer for those he was about to die for, as we
have an account in John 17. That wonderful and most affecting prayer of
his, was not so much for himself as for his people. Although he knew
what amazing sufferings he was to undergo the next day, yet he seems as
it were to be unmindful of himself, and to have his heart all taken up
with concern about his disciples; which he manifests in his spending so
much time in comforting and counseling them, and praying for them with
great affection, compassion, earnest care, and fatherly tenderness. And
the prayers that he made in the garden of Gethsemane, under the amazing
view of the cup he was to drink the next day, seem to be intercessory;
especially the last of the three prayers which he there made, when being
in an agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were
great drops of blood falling down to the ground: when he did not pray
that the cup might pass from him, as he had done before, but that God’s
will might be done. (Compare Luke 22:44. With Mat. 26:42). That prayer,
as the apostle teaches us, Heb. 5:6, 7, was a prayer that he put up as
our High Priest; and therefore must be a prayer of intercession for us,
a prayer offered up with his blood which he sweat in his agony; as
prayers were wont to be offered up with the blood of the sacrifices in
the temple. His prayer at that time, Thy will be done, was not only an
expression of submission, but had the form of a petition, as it is in
the Lord’s prayer. He prayed that God’s will might be done in his being
enabled to do the will of God, persevering in obedience unto death; and
in the success of his sufferings; which might in an eminent manner be
called the will of God, as it is in Psa. 40:7, 8, “Then said I, Lo, I
come, I delight to do thy will, O my God.”
Ministers should follow the example of Christ in his diligence and
laboriousness in his work. “He went about doing good, and healing all
that were oppressed of the devil.” Acts 10:38. So abundant was he in
labors, that oftentimes he scarcely allowed himself time to eat or
drink; insomuch that his friends sometimes went out to lay hold of him,
saying, “He is beside himself.” Mark 3:20, 21. That three years and a
half of his public ministry was so filled with action and labor, that
one of his disciples that constantly attended him, and was an eyewitness
of his activity, tells us that if all that he did should be written, the
world would not contain the books.
Ministers should follow the example of Christ, in his readiness not only
to labor, but suffer, for the salvation of souls, to spend and be spent
for them. In this respect the apostle Paul imitated his Lord and Master.
Phil. 2:17, “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of
your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all.” Col. 1:24, “Who now rejoice
in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the
afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his body’s sake, which is the
church.” 2 Cor. 12:15, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for
you.” Christ, in his prayers, labors, and sufferings for the souls of
men, is represented as travailing in birth with them. Isa. 53:11, “He
shall see of the travail of his soul.” In like manner should ministers
travail for the conversion and salvation of their hearers. They should
imitate the faithfulness of Christ in his ministry, in speaking
whatsoever God had commanded him, and declaring the whole counsel of
God. They should imitate him the manner of his preaching; who taught not
as the scribes, but with authority, boldly, zealously, and fervently;
insisting chiefly on the most important things in religion, being much
in warning men of the danger of damnation, setting forth the greatness
of the future misery of the ungodly; insisting not only on the outward,
but also the inward and spiritual, duties of religion. Being much in
declaring the great provocation and danger of spiritual pride, and a
self-righteous disposition; yet much insisting on the necessity and
importance of inherent holiness, and the practice of piety. Behaving
himself with admirable wisdom in all that he said and did in his
ministry, amidst the many difficulties, enemies, and temptations he was
surrounded with, wonderfully adapting his discourses to persons,
seasons, and occasions. Isa. 50:4, “The Lord hath given me the tongue of
the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him
that is weary.
Ministers should follow their Master in his zeal, so wonderfully mixed
and tempered with gentleness and condescension in his dealing with
souls, preaching the gospel to the poor, and taking a gracious notice
from time to time of little children. And they should imitate their Lord
in his following the work of ministry, not from mercenary views, or for
the sake of worldly advantages, but for God’s glory, and men’s
salvation. And in having his heart engaged in his work; it being his
great delight, and his meat, to do the will of his Father, and finish
his work, John 4:34, and having his heart set on the success of his
great undertaking in the salvation of souls; this being the joy that was
set before him, for which he run his race, endured the cross, and
despised the shame. His delight in the prospect of the eternal salvation
of souls more than countervailing the dread he had of his extreme
sufferings. Many waters could not quench his love, neither could the
floods drown it, for his love was stronger than death; yea, than the
mighty pains and torments of such a death.
I now proceed to the
II. Thing proposed in the
handling of this subject, which was to give some reasons why ministers
of the gospel should follow the example of their great Lord and Master,
Jesus Christ.
First, they should follow his example, because he is their Lord and
Master. Christ, as he is a divine person, is the Lord of heaven and
earth, and so one of infinite dignity, to whom our supreme respect is
due. And on that account he is infinitely worthy that we should regard,
not only his precepts but example. The infinite honorableness of his
person recommends his virtues, and a conformity to them as our greatest
dignity and honor.
Christ is more especially the Lord of Christians; who are therefore
under special obligations to follow him. He is their shepherd; and
surely the flock should follow their shepherd. He is the captain of
their salvation; and it becomes soldiers to follow their captain and
leader. He is their head, not only their head of rule and authority, but
their head of influence and communication, their vital head. And
Christians are members of his body; but members, as partakers of the
life and spirit of the head, are conformed to the head.
But Christ is still in a more peculiar manner the Lord and Master of
ministers of the gospel, as they are not only members of his church, but
the officers of his kingdom, and the dignified servants of his family.
It is the manner of a people to imitate their prince, but especially the
ministers of his kingdom, and officers of his household. It is the duty
of the whole army to follow their general, but especially of those
officers that have a commission under him.
Second, ministers of the gospel are in some respects called and devoted
to the same work and business that Christ himself was appointed to.
Ministers are not men’s mediators; for there is but one Mediator between
God and man, the man Christ Jesus. They are not our priests to make
atonement and work out righteousness for us. For Christ by one offering
has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. They are not lords over
God’s heritage; for one is their Master, even Christ. But yet ministers
of the gospel, as Christ’s servants and officers under him, are
appointed to promote the designs of that great work of Christ, the work
of salvation. It is the work that ministers are devoted to; and
therefore they are represented as coworkers with Christ. 2 Cor. 6:1, “We
then as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not
the grace of God in vain.” Christ is the Savior of the souls of men.
Ministers, also, are spoken of in Scripture as saving men’s souls. 1
Tim. 4:16, “In doing this, thou shalt both save thyself and them that
hear thee.” Rom. 11:14, “ If by any means I may provoke to emulation
them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.” 1 Cor. 9:22,
“That I might by all means save some. And whereas it is said, Oba. 21,
“Saviors shall come upon mount Zion;” ministers of the gospel are
supposed to be there intended.
The work of ministers is in many respects like the work that Christ
himself was appointed to, as the Savior of men; and especially the same
with the work which Christ does in his prophetical office; only with
this difference, that ministers are to speak and act wholly under
Christ, as taught of him, as holding forth his word, and by light and
strength communicated from him. Christ himself, after his baptism,
followed the work of the ministry. He was a minister of the true
sanctuary (Heb. 8:2), he spake and acted as his Father’s minister; was a
minister of the gospel, and as such preached and administered
sacraments.
Pastors of churches are ministers of the same gospel. But in their
ministry, they act as the ministers of Christ. Jesus Christ is the great
Bishop of souls. Ministers are also bishops under him. Christ came into
the world that he might be the light of the world. Ministers are set to
be lights unto the churches, and are also set to be the light of the
world, Mat. 5:14. Christ is the bright and morning star. Ministers are
stars in the Christ’s hand. Christ is the messenger of the covenant.
Ministers are called messengers of the Lord of hosts. Christ is his
people’s shepherd, the good shepherd, the great shepherd of his sheep.
Ministers are also frequently called shepherds and are directed to feed
the flock of Christ, which he purchased with his own blood.
Seeing therefore it is thus, that the work that ministers are called and
devoted to, is no other than the work of Christ, or the work that Christ
does, certainly they ought to do his work; which they do not do unless
they imitate him, and do as he does, or as he hath set them an example.
Third, the example of Christ is most worthy of ministers’ imitation. His
example was perfect, without error, blemish, or defect; and therefore
worthy to be made our rule, and to be regarded and followed without
exception, limitation, or reserve; unless in those things which he did
that were proper to his peculiar office. Christ’s virtue was not only
perfect, but was exercised in those circumstances, and under those
trials, that rendered his virtuous acts vastly the most amiable of any
that ever appeared in any creature whether man or angel. If we consider
the perfection of the virtue that Christ exercised, his virtue did
exceed that of the most eminent saints, more than the purest gold
exceeds the meanest and foulest ore. And if we consider the manner of
its exercise, and the trials under which it was exercised, and the
blessed fruits it has brought forth, so his virtue exceeds that of all
other perfectly innocent creatures, and even of the brightest angel, as
the sun in its glory exceeds the stars.
And this example was set us in our own nature, and so is especially
fitted for our imitation. There was in the man Christ Jesus, who was one
of us, and dwelt among us, such exercises of virtue as became our state
and circumstances in the world, as those who dwell in frail flesh and
blood, and as members of human society, and dwellers in such a world of
sorrow and death.
And then these amiable exercises of virtue in Christ were exhibited
chiefly in the things which he did in that work wherein ministers are
called to act as coworkers with him. The bright and glorious example of
Christ that is set before us is chiefly in what he did during the three
years and a half of his public ministry; and in the devotion,
heavenly-mindedness, humility patience, meekness, forgiveness,
self-denial, and charity, which he exercised in the labors and
sufferings he went through for the good of the souls of men. And
therefore is especially set for the imitation of those who are set apart
that they may make it the whole business of their lives to seek the same
good of souls.
Fourth, ministers should follow that example of Christ which has been
spoken of, because if they are fit for ministers, and are such as have
any right to take that work upon themselves, Christ has set them this
example in what he has done for their souls. “I have given you an
example (says Christ in the text) that you should do as I have done to
you.” Ministers should be animated in this work by a great love to the
souls of men, and should be ready to spend and be spent for them; for
Christ loved them, and gave himself for them. He loved them with a love
stronger than death. They should have compassion to men under their
spiritual miseries, as Christ had pity on them. They should be much in
prayer for the people of their flock, considering how Christ prayed and
agonized for them, in tears of blood. They should travail in birth with
the souls that are committed to their care, seeing their own salvation
is the fruit of the travail of Christ’s soul. They should exercise a
meek and condescending spirit to the mean and weak and poor, and should
as it were wash the feet of Christ’s disciples; considering how Christ
condescended to them, when they were wretched, and miserable, and poor,
and blind, and naked, and abased himself to wash their feet.
The chief trials of Christ’s virtue, and so their most bright and
eminent exercises, were in the abasement, labor, and suffering that he
was the subject of for our salvation. Which certainly may well endear
those virtues to us, and greatly engage us to imitate that example. So
the things whereof this example consists, were things by which we have
infinite benefit, without which we should have been unspeakably
miserable for ever and ever, and by virtue of which we have the glorious
privilege of the children of God, and have a full title to the crown of
exceeding glory, and pleasures for evermore, at God’s right hand.
III. I now proceed, as was proposed, in the third place, to apply what
has been said to myself, and others that are employed in this sacred
work of the gospel ministry, and to such as are about to undertake it,
or are candidates for it; and particularly to him that is now to be
solemnly set apart to this work in this place.
We are those to whom these things especially belong. We may hear Christ
saying to us this day, “I have given you an example, that ye should do
as I have done.” For the words of Christ in the text were not only
spoken to the twelve, but are also spoken unto us. We have now had
represented to us, though in a very imperfect manner, the example that
Christ has set, and what reasons there are that we, above all others,
should imitate it.
It is not only our great duty, but will be our greatest honor, to
imitate Christ, and do the work that he has done, and so act as
coworkers with him.
There are two kinds of persons that are given to Christ, and appointed
and devoted of God to be his servants, to be employed with Christ, and
under him, in his great work of the salvation of the souls of men; and
they are angels and ministers. The angels are all of them, even the most
exalted of them, subjected of God the Father to our Redeemer, and given
to him as his servants, to be subservient to the great designs of his
saving and glorifying his elect. Heb. 1:14, “Are they not all
ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs
of salvation?” And doubtless they were created for this very end; God
made them for his Son, to be subservient to him in this great work;
which seems to be the chief design of all God’s works. And the
employment of ministers of the gospel in this respect, is like that of
the glorious angels. The principalities and powers in heavenly places,
esteem it not any debasement, but their great honor, to be employed as
Christ’s ministers in this work. For therein they are employed as the
ministers of God, in the greatest and most honorable of all God’s works;
that work of God wherein his glory is chiefly displayed, and which his
heart was chiefly upon from eternity. It is the honor of the Son of God
himself, that he is appointed to this work. It was because God the
Father infinitely loved his Son, and delighted to put honor upon him,
that he appointed him to be the author of that glorious work of the
salvation of men. And when we consider the greatness, importance, and
excellency of it, we have reason to be astonished at the condescension
of God, that he would ever improve mere creatures as coworkers and
ministers of Christ in this affair; for who is sufficient for these
things? 2 Cor. 2:6, “Which is fit, or worthy? Who is equal to a work of
such dignity, and vast importance?” Especially have we reason to wonder
that God will employ, not only holy and glorious angels, but feeble,
frail, sinful worms of the dust in this work, who need redemption
themselves. And yet the honor that is put upon faithful ministers is, in
some respects, greater than that of the angels. They seem to be that
kind of servants that are the most dignified of the two. For Christ
makes his angels to be ministering spirits unto them, unto the faithful
ministers. And the angels are their angels: as faithful ministers of the
gospel are not only ministers to the church, but dignified members of
the church, that spouse of the King of glory, on whom the most glorious
angels, the highest ministers in the court of heaven, are appointed to
attend. And then Christ seems especially to delight to carry on his work
of the salvation of souls, through the ministrations of men, who have
that nature that Christ is united to, and that are of those sons of men
with whom he had his delight before the world was made. So it is by the
ministration of men, that the Scriptures are given. They were the penmen
of the Holy Bible; and by them the gospel is preached to the world. By
them ordinances are administered, and, through their ministrations,
especially, souls are converted. When Christ himself was employed in the
work of the ministry, in the time of his humiliation, but few,
comparatively, were brought home to him, immediately by his
ministrations. It pleased Christ to reserve this honor for his disciples
and ministers, after his ascension, to whom he promised that they
should, in this respect, do greater works than he, John 14:12. And
accordingly it was by their preaching that the Gentile world was
converted, and Satan’s kingdom overthrown. Thus God delights “to perfect
praise out of the mouths of babes and suckling, that he may still the
enemy and the avenger.”
It will be our great honor that we are called to this work of Christ, if
therein we follow him. For therein we shall be like the Son of God. But
if we are unfaithful in this office, and do not imitate our Master, our
offense will be heinous in proportion to the dignity of our office, and
our final and everlasting disgrace and ignominy proportionably great.
And we, who in honor are exalted up to heaven, shall be cast down
proportionably low in hell.
Let us further consider, that our following the example of Christ in the
work of the ministry, is the way to enjoy the sensible joyful presence
of Christ with us. The disciples had the comfort of Christ’s presence
and conversation by following him, and going where he went. When we
cease to follow him, he will go fro us, and we shall soon lose sight of
him.
Our being conformed to Christ’s example, will also be the way for us to
be conformed to him, and partake with him in his privileges. It is the
way for us to have his joy fulfilled in us. Christ, in doing the work to
which the Father appointed him, obtained a glorious victory over his
enemies, and having spoiled principalities and powers, triumphed over
them. If we imitate his example, it will be the way for us in like
manner to conquer the principalities and powers, yea, to be much more
than conquerors. It will be the way for us always to triumph in Jesus
Christ. It will be the way for us to obtain success in our ministry, and
actually to be made the happy instruments of the eternal salvation of
souls. Christ has not only told us, but shown us, the way to success in
our business, and the way to victory over all that oppose us in it. And
our imitating Christ in our ministry, will be the way for us to be
partakers with him in his glory; the way for us in like manner to be
approved, and openly honored and rewarded by God; the way to be brought
to sit with Christ on his throne, as he is set down with the Father on
his throne. And as Christ is now exalted to shine as the bright luminary
and glory of heaven, so our following his example will be the way for us
to be exalted, to shine with him, “as the stars for ever and ever,” Dan.
12:3. And as Christ in heaven rejoices in his success, and will receive
his church, presented to him without spot, as his everlasting crown; so
our imitating Christ in our work, will be the way to partake with Christ
in this joy, and have the souls whose salvation we are the instruments
of, to be our crown of rejoicing for ever. Thus Christ and we shall
rejoice together in that world of glory and joy where there is no more
labor or sorrow. And we must enter into that joy and glory, in the way
of following Christ in our work. There is no other way for ministers to
enter there.
And that we may thus follow Christ’s example, and be partakers with him
in his glory, we had need to be much in prayer for his Spirit. Christ
himself, though the eternal Son of God, obtained the Holy Spirit for
himself in a way of prayer. Luke 3:21, 22, “Jesus being baptized, and
praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended like a dove
upon him.” If we have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us, we shall have
Christ himself thereby living in us, and then we shall undoubtedly live
like him. If that fountain of light dwells richly in us, we shall shine
like him, and so shall be burning and shining lights.
That we may be and behave like Christ, we should earnestly seek much
acquaintance with him, and much love to him, and be much in secret
converse with him. It is natural, and as it were necessary, for us to
imitate those whom we are much acquainted and conversant with, and have
a strong affection for.
And in order to our imitating Christ in the work of the ministry, in any
tolerable degree, we had need not to have our hearts overcharged, and
time filled up with worldly affections, cares, and pursuits. The duties
of a minister that have been recommended, are absolutely inconsistent
with a mind much taken up with worldly profit, glory, amusements, and
entertainments.
And another thing that is of very great importance, in order to our
doing the work that Christ did, is that we take heed that the religion
we promote, be that same religion that Christ taught and promoted, and
not any of its counterfeits and delusive appearances, or anything
substituted by the subtle devices of Satan, or vain imaginations of men,
in lieu of it. If we are zealous and very diligent to promote religion,
but do not take good care to distinguish true from false religion, we
shall be in danger of doing much more hurt than good with all our zeal
and activity.
I come now to the
IV. And last thing at first proposed, viz. to show what improvement
should be made of what has been said, by the people of this church and
congregation, who are now about solemnly to commit their souls to the
charge of him whom they have chosen to be their pastor, and who is now
about to be set apart to that office.
And YOU, MY BRETHREN, as all of you have immortal souls to save, if you
have considered the things that have been spoken, cannot but be
sensible, that it not only greatly concerns your elect pastor to take
heed how he behaves himself in his great work, wherein he is to act as a
coworker with Christ for your salvation; but that it infinitely concerns
you how you receive him, and behave towards him. Seeing that it is for
your eternal salvation that he is appointed to watch and labor; and
seeing his business is to do the work of Christ for you, it is natural
and easy to infer, that your reception and entertainment of him should
in some respect imitate the church’s reception of Jesus Christ. Gal.
4:14, “My temptation which was in my flesh, ye despised not, nor
rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.”
Christ, in the text, commands those whom he sends to follow his example,
and then in the 20th verse following, he directs those to whom he sends
them, how to treat them. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me,
receiveth him that sent me.” Seeing the work of your minister is in some
respects the same with the work of Christ, and he is to be appointed and
devoted to do this work for your souls in particular, surely you should
esteem him very highly in love for his work’s sake and do all that is in
your power to help him, and put him under the best advantages to imitate
his great Master in this work, to give himself wholly to his work, as
Christ did during the time of his ministry, and to be successful in his
work. And as it was observed before, that it is impossible that
ministers should in any tolerable degree imitate the example of Christ
in their work, if their minds are overcharged with worldly cares and
concerns, you ought so to provide for him and support him, that he shall
have no need to entangle himself with these things; otherwise you will
not only bring a great temptation upon him, which will vastly tend to
hinder him in the work of Christ among you, but will, for the sake of
sparing a little of your worldly substance to yourselves, foolishly and
miserably starve your own souls and the souls of your children, and will
but cheat yourselves. For you will not be in the way to prosper either
in your spiritual or temporal concerns. The way to have your houses
filled with plenty, is to “honor the Lord with your substance, and with
the first-fruits of all your increase.” Pro. 3:9.
And as it is your duty and interest well to support your minister, so it
concerns you to pray earnestly for him, and each one to do what in him
lies in all respects to encourage and help him, and strengthen his
hands, by attending diligently to his ministry, receiving the truth in
love, treating him with the honor due to a messenger of Christ,
carefully avoiding all contention with him, and one with another. And
take heed in particular, that you do not forsake him to follow those,
who under pretense of extraordinary purity, are doubtless doing the
devil’s work, in separating themselves, and endeavoring to draw off
others from the ministers and churches in the land in general.
If you think I have spoken something freely to you, I hope it will be
considered, that this is probably the last time you will ever hear me
speak from the pulpit, and that I shall never see you again, till we see
one another in the invisible and eternal world, where these things will
open to us all in their just importance.
And now nothing is left but to express my sincerest wishes and prayers,
that the God of all grace would be with you and your elect pastor, and
that he would give you in him a great and long-lasting blessing, that
you may enjoy much of the presence of Christ with you in him. That in
him may be made up the great loss you sustained by the death of your
former faithful and eminent pastor, whose praise was in all the
churches. And that you may receive him as you ought to receive a
faithful minister of Jesus Christ, and may be a great comfort to him,
and may receive great spiritual and eternal benefit by his means And
that you may be each other’s crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord
Jesus.
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