USA > New Hampshire > Carroll County > Wolfeborough > History of Wolfeborough (New Hampshire) > Part 22
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
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religion itself, to say nothing of their own character, requires that they sacredly conform to the precepts and doctrines of Christ. Out of the good treasure of their hearts, therefore, they should invariably bring forth that which is good. And as long as they support this character, the truths of the gospel dispensed by them, will appear in their truly amiable and delightful nature. Like the rays of the sun reflected upon the world, by that bright orb that rules the night, they will appear with a delightful lustre; and those men themselves are so far calculated to shine as lights in the world.
But all good men art not, in every respect, qualified to preach the gospel. A man may be a good man, and yet may have but very little doctrinal acquaintance with the truths of christianity. A much further acquaintance of those is necessary for one who undertakes to instruct others; and next to a vital principle of religion, a very considerable de- gree of knowledge is requisite for a gospel preacher.
I do not say that a collegiate education is absolutely necessary for a minister of Christ. Nor do I say that men of the greatest genius only may undertake the sacred employment. Men may obtain a good degree of knowledge and never be seen in any university. And men of moder- ate abilities, well improved, may become useful to society, even as minis- ters of the gospel. But the abilities of no man, unimproved by study, are equal to the extensive business. The best natural genius, unculti- vated by science, is like gold in the mines, rather than that which is pu- rified and refined; and the talents of Christ's ministers ought always to appear like gold well refined and tried. Their natural capacity ought therefore to be well improved and enlarged by close application to their studies. The more improvement they make, other qualifications being the same, the better able are they to instruct mankind. They ought especially to be well acquainted with the truths and doctrines contained in the sacred bible.
A man would make but a poor figure as an ambassador abroad, who did not understand the constitution and laws of the kingdom to which he belongs. And he is much less qualified as an ambassador from God to men, who is not well acquainted with the scriptures both of the old and new testament. These contain the constitution and laws by which he is to regulate his conduct; and the principles upon which he is to treat with mankind. They contain the sum total of what he is to deliver in his messages to men. He may not exceed, or fall short of a just and impartial distribution of what is committed to him from those golden treasures. No one may add to, or diminish from anything contained in the sacred bible. And how can any act with sufficient caution in such a momentous affair, unless they understand the contents of this sacred volume? Ignorance in one who attempts to preach the gospel, is of all errors the most inexcusable. It plainly declares his forwardness to run before he is sent.
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A man who would become an able divine, will make it his daily busi. ness to study the holy scriptures; And without this, let his genius or moral goodness be ever so great, he will not be an accomplished instruct- or. He must study the scriptures diligently, read them with attention, and make use of such expositors as have made the deepest researches into them. He must likewise improve every other method possible to obtain the most perfect acquaintance with the sublime truths contained therein.
It may not be inferred from hence, that I suppose those truths that are essential to salvation, lie so deep as to be far beyond the common view of men. But a man may understand enough for his own faith and practice, as a christian, and not be able to instruct others. He who undertakes to instruct others should be able to compare one part of the scriptures with another; to see the connexion between them; and to ex- plain the whole, and explain all parts of them, according to their original harmony and agreement; for the want of this, many have made the most awful havock of the scriptures conceivable. They have been made to speak as many absurdities and contradictions as there are humors, passions or prejudices in their ignorant, opinionated expositors. A dreadful idea indeed, that the sacred oracle should be thus treated, tor- tured and torn in pieces! And that this should be done too, by men who profess to be their interpreters! Too much care cannot be taken in guard- ing against such errors.
It is confessed by all, except such as are novices indeed, "that there are some things contained in the sacred writings, hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable, wrest, as they do, also other scriptures, to their own destruction." And from hence we see the need of learning, in order rightly to interpret them; and the further men dive into the broad and bottomless ocean of divine knowledge, if they do not go beyond and bewilder themselves, the better able they will be to in- struct others. From these deep researches they will thus be able to bring forth things new and old.
As there are some branches of science which have a more favorable aspect upon the study of divinity than others, it is by no means amiss that a minister's mind should often be replenished from hence. Such is particularly the study of the ancient languages; the history of nations, both ancient and modern; the rise and fall of the various empires of the world; and especially treatises upon morality and religion, natural and revealed.
The principles of natural religion cannot be too well understood, nor our moral obligations too clearly investigated, by one who is called to dispense the word of truth. Upon the broad basis of the religion of nature, revelation itself is founded; and its object is to correct, to raise and elevate the first principles of our nature, and temper them with the divine.
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Every degree of human knowledge ought to be so arranged, as to lead on to divine, and bring us to be more familiarly acquainted with the oracles of God: And there, as in a point, ought all the studies of a min- ister to converge and finally centre. Ministers should thus universally strive, like Apollos, to be "mighty in the scriptures." From these sacred treasures, as from a store-house, all their instructions should be drawn forth and adapted to the particular state, situation, and circumstances of their people.
And to apply the doctrines and precepts of the gospel with skill, a minister ought likewise to be well acquainted with human nature. He should be able to look into mankind and see them in every attitude they may ever be placed. He may then with exactness learn the state and circumstances of his own people, see what part of advice or instruction they need, and adapt it to them accordingly; as he knows their disease, he may with greater hopes of success point out the remedy and he will be able thus to apply the terrors of the divine law, or to pour in the soothing and assuaging oil of the sacred gospel, as occasion requires; and having the springs of action in some measure at his command, he will endeavor, by the utmost of his power, to lead them in the paths of true religion. Such a guide is like a skilful pilot at the helm in the time of storm, and will use all his skill to anchor them safely on Christ, the only foundation of all our hopes .- We are now
IVth, To consider the extensiveness of a minister's office. And it is indeed very extensive. But a principal part, nevertheless, is to preach the gospel-and to do this agreeable to the rules prescribed him, ought to engross his greatest attention.
The injunction given to the apostles, and thro' them to all Christ's ministers is this: "Go, preach the gospel;" and they are to preach it in its genuine purity and original perfection; not with wisdom of words, but in its native simplicity and beauty. And "who is that faithful and wise steward whom the Lord shall make ruler over his household to give them their portion of meat in due season?" "Who is sufficient for these things?" It is no disparagement to the ministers of Christ to con- fess their own insufficiency for so arduous a business; and did they not derive aid from above they would never be able to "fulfil their ministry." The world in general have but narrow conceptions of that charge which is laid upon them. They are commissioned to negotiate a treaty of peace between God and men. Their business is to bring men to be rec- onciled to God; and to accomplish this great end, will occupy all their talents, let them be ever so extensive. And after all, the reflection that they labour so much in vain, will often depress their spirits, and almost sink them in the dust. It is nevertheless their duty to go forward and preach Christ and him crucified, "whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear," "Woe is unto me (saith the apostle) if I preach not the gospel:" And the same woe will fall on all the ministers of Christ,
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if they neglect it; and they must preach the gospel as those who must give an account.
Those who are devoutly engaged in the dispensation of the word, and have an hearty desire for the souls of men, will keeep the people of their charge in view before them; will consider what doctrines are most essential to their salvation as well as improvement in christian knowl- edge and practical godliness, and make these the principal object of their attention. They will bring these often into view, and inculcate them with all the energy of a pious zeal for God and regard to the souls of men.
The best of men, indeed, are not all united in their opinion, what doctrines are essential to salvation, or are most useful to mankind; and in this imperfect state, it can hardly be expected, that all men should think in every respect exactly alike. But their disagreement does not originate from the scriptures, but from themselves. A man therefore conscious of the frailties of human nature, will be careful how he imposes his own sentiments as an infallible test for the belief of others. But however cautious he may be in controuling the faith of others, every one who preaches the gospel ought to have the main principles of religion estab- lished in his own mind. He ought to determine for himself what doc- trines are most essential to salvation, and make them the basis and ground work of all his preaching. And as cautious as I am of controul- ing the faith of others, I frankly confess, I believe all the truths and doc- trines contained in the sacred bible, as far as understood, essential to salvation, and do not hesitate to impose the belief of them upon all man- kind.
But nevertheless there are some doctrines contained in the bible, which I view of more importance than others. Such particularly are a belief of the being and perfections of God, the divinity of Jesus Christ, the original purity and present elapsed state of man, the necessity and efficacy of the atonement Christ has made for sin, our absolute need of repentance towards God and faith in the Redeemer, of regeneration and the sanctification of our nature, the certainty of a resurrection and of a future judgment. These all appear to me to be very impotant doctrines, and such as a faithful minister will not fail to inculcate upon his hear- ers. Nor will he omit the various duties men owe to God, to themselves and to the world around them. He will not neglect to "declare" the whole "counsel of God;" and he will endeavor to do it with that energy and pathos most likely to convince sinners of their errors, to edify the people of God, and to build them up in faith and holiness.
But the whole duty of a minister does not lie in the pulpit, nor in preaching the gospel. He is called by his office to other employments that are often of equal or greater importance than this. He is placed as a watchman upon the walls of God's Jerusalem. And he is always to give warning when he sees any danger. He is to warn every one and be- seech them in Christ's stead to be reconciled to God.
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A faithful minister watching for souls, cannot fail to improve every opportunity to gain access to them, and to lead and direct them in the paths of true religion. He will visit his people therefore, as often as he is able in health, and will by no means neglect it in times of sickness and affliction. An opportunity then often presents, to do those friendly offices in conversation and prayer, that in times of health are not in his power. He will endeavor therefore, at such times, in an especial manner, to become a worker together with God and bring men to be reconciled to him.
The necessity of those duties, brings to mind the almost fatal con- duct of mankind, in putting off that till on beds of sickness, and perhaps a dying hour, which ought to be the business of their whole lives. How often is a minister called to visit the sick, in the last moments of their life, who have not given testimony of their faith and repentance before! and it is not unlikely but some in this critical moment may be in a state of despair; and others have no bands in their death, being wholly at ease; either of which must give a minister great distress for them. Counsels and directions at such times, can be but a very little attended to by them. The most that he can do is to pray for them, and commit them into the hands of him who made them, and resign them to his sovereign disposal.
And a minister of Christ, who is sensible of his duty to his people, even in times of health will not cease to pray for them. He is a man of prayer and will employ a very considerable part of his time in this duty. He will devoutly implore the blessing of God upon his labours, upon himself, upon the people of his charge, and upon the whole world of mankind; and he will not only pray, but watch. A pious minister is a good watchman. He will take heed "therefore to himself, and to his flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made him an overseer." And "blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching."-We are now in the
Vth, And last place to shew how an ambassador of Christ and his embassy are to be received by mankind. Ambassadors from the courts of earthly princes are entitled, by the laws of nations to many immunities and much respect. Their persons are always deemed inviolable; and their property is not subject to be seized. But the ambassadors of the Almighty Prince of heaven neither claim, desire, nor expect any such immunities and privileges as these. They claim only that respect and deference which is due to their office. And if there be so much honor due to one who bears an embassy from an earthly prince, there is some to be expected by such as are ambassadors from the King of heaven. They are honored with the highest commission ever given to men. "There is nothing in any office, ancient or modern, I ever saw (says a learned bishop) so exceedingly serious and solemn as this." It becomes men therefore, to treat them with so much respect as the ambassadors of
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Christ, as to "lay aside all superfluity of naughtiness, and to receive with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save their souls." It is their duty to hearken diligently to the word of God dispensed by them, to hear it with attention and candour, and with a mind disposed to profit by it. "Every man should be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." And it is their duty to receive the gospel from Christ's ministers as a message from heaven to them, and let it have a suitable impression upon their hearts and lives. They will then also learn to prize the ministers of Christ, "and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake."
Such is not the spirit and temper which prevails amongst mankind at the present day. How many are there who reject and dispise, or what is worse, openly revile both the gospel and its ministers This, to say the least, brings a dark cloud upon the age and nation in which we live. How few are there in many places, who wish to maintain the gospel! And how many who consider the standing ministry, be they ever so much engaged to promote their good, as an intolerable burden upon society! And to be exempted from it, they set up men as preachers, who can scarcely read their bibles. A dark omen this upon our rising re- public!
But thanks be to heaven, there are yet some, and a goodly number, who heartily respect the ways of Zion: Who treat the gospel and its ministers with due respect. Let them be encouraged to go on, and by their utmost exertions, support the cause of religion and the preached gospel among them.
An ardent zeal for religion is good, but none can justify a zeal which is not according to knowledge: And of all things, except indifference, this is most fatal to true christianity and vital godliness: And the latter most commonly terminates in the former. The constitution of man is like an elastic body when bent by violence, and will return, at least to its original position, and commonly much further. In proportion as it has been strained too far one way, it will soon vibrate the other: And it is most frequently the case, that those men, who at one period of life, are wound up to the highest pitch of zeal and enthusiasm, at another, become of all men the most careless and indifferent to religion, and often its greatest enemies. The progress is direct from one extreme to the other. When they find they have been taught to lay great stress upon that as religion which is not real, but imaginary, they at length conclude that all religion is nothing but imagination, and with their superstition they relinquish the whole as a fiction. When once they are removed form their stedfastness, it is uncertain where they will light. They commonly go from one scheme to another 'til they come to nothing. The first onsets therefore made upon them, to shake them from their stedfastness in religious principles, are an object worthy their particular attention. They ought ever to guard against such preachers as attempt it, and treat them with a pious neglect.
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It may be expected that those preachers to whom we allude will appear in the resemblance of blazing comets wandering from one place to another. They have but little visible likeness to the fixed stars to which the ministers of Christ are compared. They have a zeal for God, it is true; but not according to knowledge. And the apostle, speaking of such says, "they zealously affect you, but not well," such men are by no means to be encouraged. The gospel of Christ is not to be preached by a novice, nor any men who are ignorant and unlearned. It is to be preached only by men of learning and such as are faithful, apt and able to teach: And such men only are to be esteemed as the ambassadors of Christ: And the messages that they deliver are to be treated as the oracles of God, and "mixed with faith in them that hear them." Every word ought to be received as a message from the King of heaven; a message in which the salvation of men is deeply concerned; a message for which all who hear must be accountable. And happy are those who treat the gospel with due respect, and the ministers of Christ as his true ambassadors. Blessed are those who received the word into good, honest, and upright hearts. "Blessed indeed are they who hear the word of God and keep it."
Having thus, as briefly as possible, gone through the subject pro- posed; permit me now,
My brethren, in the work of the' ministry, to remind you that "we are ambassadors for Christ." Under this appellation we at once see what an extensive field there is open before us for action. We are in a moment convinced that our Lord has not sent us forth to be idle, but to labour: And our duty is to treat with men and bring them to be recon- ciled to God. And what an arduous work have we before us! A work to which an angel, if clothed in flesh, would not be equal! How then shall we execute the important embassy? Thanks be to God, that though utterly unable ourselves, our sufficiency is of him. And through him strengthening us we can do all things that he has commanded us. Re- lying then upon his aid, let us go forward and never "be slothful in busi- ness"; but "fervent in spirit serving the Lord."
The Lord hath reposed a great degree of trust, my brethren, in us. "I have set watchmen," says he, "upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night." And we must watch contin. ually for the souls of men, and never cease to warn and persuade them. We must "in meekness instruct those who oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth."
The ministers in this country have in general been noted for their unamity among themselves; and for their faithfulness in the work of the ministry. Our fathers who have gone before us, have given testimony of their fidelity to Christ and his kingdom. Let us then "be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Let us
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especially follow him who hath made it our duty to imitate him in every virtue. Let us all study the best good of our respective charges, and thus take heed to ourselves, and to the people committed to our care. Let nothing retard or hinder us in the discharge of our duty, be it ever so difficult or dangerous. And in the way of our duty, we may depend upon the divine presence with, and aid to support us. "Lo I am with you always," says he, "even to the end of the world."
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As ambassadors of Christ, and as men who are engaged to promote his interest; it must give us peculiar pleasure when we see the pros- perity of Zion, and the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom in the world. Such is the pleasure we all undoubtedly feel on this solemn yet joyful occasion. We here see a land not long since a wilderness becoming a fruitful field and peopled with men of religion. We here see churches rising where beasts of prey were wont to rove.
And this place too, where now we stand before the Lord, was a few years since a desert wild. We are now also called to separate a man to the work of the ministry, in a place, where the beams of the gospel have but lately begun to shine. A place where an ambassador of Christ has never been ordained. He is a man likewise who we hope will be faithful to his trust. Pray we then for the further prosperity of Zion, that her bounds may be enlarged, her walls built up, and that she may be established as a city that is at unity in itself.
It is with pleasure, my dear brother, that we are called to commit the souls of this people to your care. We rejoice that a man of your approved abilities is to take the charge of them.
The work of the ministry, we are sensible, in every respect, is not intirely new to you. It has been your constant business for a number of years to preach the gospel. Your age and experience will now there- fore give you many advantages, which a man young and less acquainted with the employment, cannot profess. And you will not fail, we trust, to improve all your abilities, both natural and acquired, for the glory of God and the best good of this people. And you will ever remember that "unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required."
It is not my province to prescribe to you, Sir, the rules by which you are to regulate your conduct either in public or private life. This is already done by the great head of the church himself. And you are to call no man master on earth, "for one is your master even Christ." I wish you not therefore to receive any as a standard of your faith, except Christ and the inspired penmen of the old and new testa- ment. You may not consider even the immortal Calvin, Arminius or Luther among the ancients, nor any of the best among modern writers as infallible: infallibility belongs not to men any further than they con- form to the divine oracles. The sacred bible is therefore the best, and indeed the only standard of orthordoxy given us. Let the bible then be the standard of your faith and practice. Bring every sentiment to this
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standard: and deliver nothing but what you find supported by this sacred volume. And by this, let all your conduct as well as preaching be intirely regulated and governed; and endeavor thus to approve your- self to God and the consciences of men.
The world in general, you are sensible, dear sir, make no allowances for any inperfections in Christ's ministers. Many scarcely consider that they are flesh and blood, and require the necessary means to refresh. much less to relax or invigorate animal nature. You will expect there- fore, that the least spot will be observed with a microscopic eye and made to appear a blemish of the first magnitude. Be thou therefore as wise as a serpent, in all your behaviour, and as harmless as a dove.
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