The Providence of God, as we have before hinted, will probably afford more or less confirmation of this call. For this is "the wheel within a wheel," moving in harmonious conjunction, but in direct subserviency to his purposes respecting his Church. If therefore these arrangements direct the choice of a secular calling, much more may we expect him thus to guide the inward call to his own work-a matter so deeply connected with the interests of his kingdom. The providential disposing, therefore, of a person's circumstances, thoughts, inclinations, and studies, to this main end-the disappointment of his plans for a future course in life-the unexpected and repeated closing up of worldly avenues-unlooked-for openings in the Church (in the way of usefulness, not of preferment)-some particular crisis in the individual sphere-some change or influence of family circumstances—one or more of these may prove the "word behind him, saying-This is the way, walk ye in it." Direction, however, will probably be given rather in opposition to indulgence of a constitutional propensity-damping a sanguine temperament, and rousing an indolent habit. Wise and tender discidiscern and follow our pline will form the pliable spirit, ready to 1 Father's will. The Lord usually trains his servants to waiting, and to much conflict in their way to his immediate service. But in humble patient confidence, their "path will be as the shining light." 2 The judgment of Christian friends, and specially of experienced Ministers, might be useful in assuring the mind, whether or not the desire for the work be the impulse of feeling rather than of principle, and the capacity be self-deceiving presumption. The too striking to be omitted. This man' (remarks the Bishop with a solemnity truly episcopal), and this man only—so moved and qualified, can in truth and with a good conscience answer, that he trusts he is inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost. And every man that ventures on the saying it without this, is a sacrilegious profaner of the name of God, and of his Holy Spirit. He breaks in upon his church, not to feed it, but to rob it; and it is certain, that he who begins with a lie may be sent by the father of lies; but he cannot be thought to "enter in by the door," who prevaricates in the first word that he says in order to his admittance.--Pastoral Care, ch. vi. 1 Isaiah xxx. 21. ? I must add this to the encouragement and comfort of such as can resolve to deliver themselves up to the conduct and direction of Providence, that I never knew any one of those few, who have followed this maxim exactly, that have not found the fruit of it even in this world-as if there had been a secret design of heaven, to encourage others to follow their measures-to depend on God, to deliver themselves up to his care, and to wait till he opens a way for their being employed and settled in such a portion of his husbandry, as he shall think fit to assign them." Pastoral Care, ch. vii. late pious and learned Dr. Leland took this satisfactory view of his own case- God has been graciously pleased' (said he,) 'to give me some talents, which seem capable of being improved to the edification of the Church. He hath disposed and inclined my heart to a willingness to take upon me the sacred Ministry, and that not from worldly, carnal ends and views, but from a sincere intention and desire of employing the talents he has given me in promoting the salvation of souls, and serving the interests of truth, piety, and righteousness in the world. And I have been encouraged by the judgment and approbation of several learned and pious Ministers, who, after a diligent course of trials, carried on for a considerable time, judged me to be properly qualified for that sacred office, and animated me to undertake it. Upon seriously weighing all these things, I cannot but think, I have a clear call to the work of the Ministry; and I verily believe, that, if I rejected it, I should sin against God, grieve many of his people, counteract the designs of Divine providence towards me, and alienate the talents he has given me to other purposes, than those for which they seem to have been intended." The importance of this discussion will be generally allowed. To labour in the dark, without an assured commission, greatly obscures the warrant of faith in the Divine engagements; and the Minister, unable to avail himself of heavenly support, feels his "hands hang down, and his knees feeble" in his work. On the other hand, the confidence that he is acting in obedience to the call of God-that he is in his work, and in his way-nerves him in the midst of all difficulty, and under a sense of his responsible obligations, with almighty strength. Yet under no circumstances is there a warranted ground for distress in a simple consecration to the service of God. Let the Minister in seasons of anxiety cast himself upon the mercy of God, and doubt not of acceptance. But in closing our consideration of this subject, we cannot forget, that the inward call has not always accompanied the 1 See Leland's Life, prefixed to his sermons. Vocantur, quibus data facultas, voluntas, et locus. Omnia tria Dei dona tamen requirunt nostrum studium. Oratio et diligentia poscitur, quo discas quod doceas. Voluntas etiam petenda a Domino est. Locus docendi item quærendus est; nec tacendum, nisi ubi nemo velit audire.' Bucer. De vi et usu S. Min. 2 public investment with Ministerial authority. With many of us it is a painful recollection, that we entered into this sacred office with hearts unenlightened with Christian doctrine, and unimpressed with Ministerial obligations. Yet let the remembrance of this sin be in humiliation-not in despondency. Let us be afflicted indeed for our unhallowed approach to the sacred altar yet not "swallowed up with overmuch sorrow." There is with our gracious God mercy for this, as well as for any other sin; and we shall not apply to him for it in vain. Doubtless we should bear this sin in special remembrance to the end of our days; both as an occasion of magnifying the grace of God, and as an incentive to redoubled exertions throughout our future course. In order to generate in our hearts this deepened contrition, it will be well to bring frequently before our minds, and especially at the annual return of the season of our ordination, the vows, which we then took upon us and in a new perception of their responsibility, to consecrate ourselves to God afresh, with a full determination of heart through grace to fulfil them. Thus receiving, as it were, a second commission, with shame and self-reproach, and yet with thankfulness; we shall be given to it; we shall have an evidence in our own souls, that, though at the time of ordination we were not "moved by the Holy Ghost," we are so now; and if our conscience bear witness to us, that we are now cordially renouncing whatever is inconsistent with our high and heavenly calling, we need not doubt of God's merciful acceptance in all our labours of love, and (in confirmation of his own word) of a blessing to be conferred also on our own souls according to our labour. 1 See Scott's affecting reference to his own case-Force of Truth, and Practical Observations on Numbers xvi. 1-19. Also the same confession from Mr. Walker of Truro, a minister of peculiar simplicity and most honoured devotedness to his Master's work. See his valuable collection of Tracts, entitled Practical Christianity, pp. 190, 191. Compare also Humbling Recollections of my Ministry'-(Seeleys) an edifying Memorial by a devoted Minister lately removed from his labours. See I Tim i. 11-16. |