divine grace to keep them from falling. They should ever bear in mind, that they are but servants of the church-they are, as the apostle adds in the conclusion of the chapter from which the text is taken, but earthern vessels-alluding, probably, to the mean and vulgar instruments by which the fall of Jericho was effected. In the great work of the salvation of men, in which God condescends to bless their instrumentality, they should ever be ready to give all the glory to him, that the excellency of the power may be of God.

Secondly, they should be willing to spend and be spent in the service of the church. They should be ready to labor for her interests in any way, however humble, to which they may be called in the providence of God. They should be willing to be hewers of wood and drawers of water, and submit to the meanest offices for the promotion of the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom. In this way they will best imitate the example of their condescending Master, who took upon himself the form of a servant; and of the holy apostle, who though free from all men, yet made himself servant of all that he might gain the more. But

Thirdly, while ministers are ready to labor for the church and the meanest of her members, they

should ever regard as their supreme motivetheir attachment to the Saviour. They are their servants for Jesus' sake. While they are the servants of the church, the church is not their master-one is their master, even Christ. They are not accountable to the church, only so far as in common with other members they are amenable to her discipline,—but as ministers they are accountable only to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is for his sake that they are willing to labor, to suffer, and die—and happy, thrice happy do they deem themselves, to be employed in the service of such a master. Nor will the master whom they serve, forget their humble efforts, but will own his faithful confessors before his Father and the holy angels.

It is said of an old divine who was preaching before an assembly of ministers, that in order to quicken their regard to the principle, end, and motive, from which they acted, he pointed them to the last and awful day of judgment, and having introduced Christ the judge, he represented him as calling his ministers to an account, examining how they had preached, and with what views they had undertaken and discharged the work of the ministry. What did you preach for? I preached, Lord, that I might keep a good living that was

left me by my father, which, had I not entered into the ministry, would have been wholly lost to me and my numerous family. Christ says to him, stand by, thou hast had thy reward. The question is put to another. And what did you preach for? He answered, Lord, I was applauded as a learned man, and I preached to keep up the reputation of an excellent orator and an ingenious preacher. Christ said to him likewise, stand by, thou hast had thy reward. The Judge then puts the question to a third. And what did you preach for? Lord, says he, I neither aimed at the great things of this world, though I was thankful for the conveniences of life which thou gavest me, nor did I preach that I might gain the character of a wit, or of a man of talents, or of a fine scholar-but I preached in compassion to souls, and to please and honor thee-my design in preaching, Lord, was, that I might win souls to thy blessed majesty. Upon this the Judge called out, Room, men; room, angels; let this man come and sit with me on my throne; he has owned and honored me on earth, and I will own and honor him through all the ages of eternity.'* Such are the rewards of those who preach not themselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.

* London Evangelical Magazine, 1797.

From our subject we perceive, first, the importance of the preacher's duty.

""Tis not a cause of small import

The preacher's care demands,

But which might fill an angel's heart,
And filled a Saviour's hands."

There never was a greater mistake than this— that the duty of the preacher of the gospel is light and easy. Little do they understand the nature and extent of his work, who cherish such an opinion. To resist the powerful temptations to preach themselves, which are continually presented by that arch-deceiver, who, while he delights to harass all the people of God, directs his most envenomed rancor against the minister of the cross, is of itself enough to lead him to cry out, Who is sufficient for these things? But when we consider the magnitude, variety, and extent of the subjects involved in preaching Christ, we cannot, for a moment, suppose that a preacher's duty can be otherwise than laborious and difficult. What constant and painful preparation is necessary to the conscientious minister who would faithfully discharge his duty, who desires to bring beaten oil into the sanctuary, and not to offer to the Lord that which costs him

nothing!-What diligence and care to ascertain the state of his flock, that he may know how to give to each a portion in due season!-What earnest cries to God for grace to warm his cold heart, that he may impart warmth to others!What bitter tears over his own barrenness and unfruitfulness-what sinkings of soul under the consideration that so few believe his report—that he labors in vain and spends his strength for nought! If this be ease and freedom from care and labor, then is the preacher's duty an easy task. Ah, little do they know the duties and responsibilities of the sacred office, who entertain such an opinion. But, though laborious and difficult, let it not be thought that it is unpleasant and irksome, and without encouragement. No, it is the most delightful and honorable work in which it is possible for a human being to be engaged-and, with all its trials, difficulties, and discouragements, I would not exchange it for an empire and a throne. It is the presence and gracious aid of the Master whom he serves, that lightens the cares, sweetens the labors, and relieves the anxieties of the preacher of the cross. It is the same cheering voice, that comforted the desponding spirit of the apostle and animated the hearts of the primitive disciples, that sustains the