31 APPENDI X. [The preceding fermon having been firft preached at an ordination, the charges then delivered to the minifter and congregation are here fubjoined. ] T Charge to the MINISTER. Hough giving the ufual charge would have better become one or other of our venerable fathers, yet, fince the place where I ftand requires it, fuffer me, Reverend Sir, to be your monitor. Providence has called you to an honourable, but at the fame time a difficult office. Gifts are neceffary to capacitate you for it; grace, to animate you to discharge it faithfully. A fmall measure of gifts, and low attainments in grace, will poorly answer these important purposes. If you would be a veffel unto honour, fanctified and meet for the mafter's use, and prepared unto every good work, covet earnestly the best gifts; the gift of knowledge, the gift of utterance, the gift of prudence. Lift up your heart to the Father of lights, in humble fervent fupplication, that he would plentifully pour out upon you these, and every other good and perfect gift: and as they are not now imparted miraculously, but acquired through the bleffing of God on the ufe of means, join to your prayers, diligent application to ftudy. Meditate on divine things, give thyfelf wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear unto all. Thofe of the most extenfive knowledge, know only in part, and need to learn the way of God more perfectly. Give attendance to reading. Make a wife choice of the books you read. read. Study those most which most tend to increase in you the difpofitions and abilities proper for your office. There is one book, or rather collection of books, which, without an appearance of arrogance, I may venture to recommend, as of all others the beft; I need not fay, I mean the Bible. Make that your chief study; for, if rightly understood, and improved, it is able to make the man of God perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good word and work. Apollos's character, was, "an eloquent man, and mighty in the fcriptures" It were to be wished, that both branches of the character were found in every minister; yet the last is by much the most valuable. If we are well acquainted with the doctrines of the gospel, and the arguments that fupport them; and understand the du ties of the Chriftian life, the motives that inforce them, the hindrances of their practice, and the best methods of removing thefe hindrances; we may, by manifeftation of the truth, commend ourselves to mens confciences in the fight of God; though to those who are enamoured with the enticing words of man's wisdom, and who regard found and fhow more than fubstance, our bodily prefence may appear weak, and our speech contemptible. Be equally diligent to improve in every holy difpofition. Your public work will be much affected by the frame of your fpirit. If you decline in religion, your flock will fare the worfe: but the better Christian you are, the more useful minifter you are like to be. Seek, therefore, above all things, to grow in grace; especially in that excellent grace of love, love to God, love to Chrift, and love to precious fouls. For this purpose |