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PART V.

THE PASTORAL WORK OF THE CHRISTIAN

MINISTRY.

PART V.

THE PASTORAL WORK OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY,

LET us not think, that all our work is done in the study and in the pulpit. Preaching the grand lever of the Ministry— derives much of its power from connexion with the Pastoral work; and its too frequent disjunction from it is a main cause of our inefficiency.1 The Pastor and Preacher combine to form the completeness of the sacred office, as expounded in our Ordination services and in Scriptural illustrations. How little can a stated appearance in public answer to the lowest sense of such terms as Shepherd, Watchman, Overseer, Steward !— terms, which import not a mere general superintendence over the flock, charge, or household, but an acquaintance with their individual wants, and a distribution suitable to the occasion; without which, instead of "taking heed to the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made us overseers," we can scarcely be said to "take the oversight of it" at all. This interesting relation cheers our toil with a new tide of spiritual affections, and exercises our Christian wisdom and faith, in seeking of the Lord an "open door," in prudently improving opportunities of instruction, and in adapting our mode to the different classes of our people.

We shall enter into some details of this most important subject.

1 Thus Dr. Doddridge remarked- My heart does not upbraid me with having kept back any thing that may be profitable to my people. But I fear I have not followed them sufficiently with domestic and personal exhortations.' Orton's Life, ch. ii. Bishop Wilson recommended his Clergy to visit every family and soul in his parish at least once a year, that we may all of us' (said he, alluding probably to Heb. xiii. 17.)' be able to give a comfortable account of our labour to our Great Master.' Stowell's Life, p. 114. Baxter's Reformed Pastor may be referred to, as placing this Ministry upon its high ground of obligation, urging the strongest motives, answering the chief objections, and suggesting most admirable directions for the work.

CHAPTER I.

THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE PASTORAL WORK.

THE Pastoral work is the personal application of the pulpit Ministry to the proper individualities of our people—looking upon them severally, as having a distinct and separate claim upon our attention, cares, and anxiety; urging each of them, as far as possible, to the concerns of eternity; and commending to their hearts a suitable exhibition and offer of salvation. For this purpose we must acquaint ourselves with their situation, habits, character, state of heart, peculiar wants, and difficulties, that we may give to each of them a portion in due season." The Pastor unites in himself the offices of Watchman and Evangelist. He "watches for souls," lest a root of bitterness should spring up" to the trouble and defilement of the church-lest unchristian tempers and practices should mar the profession of Christ-lest a lukewarm spirit should paralyze exertion, or a spirit of contention hinder Christian love. All need his superintendence. The indolent are slumbering-the self-dependent are falling back-the zealous are under the influence of spiritual pride-the earnest are becoming self-righteous-the regular, formal. Then there is the enquirer, asking for direction-the tempted and perplexed, looking for support -the afflicted, longing for the cheering consolation of the Gospel-the convinced sinner, from the slight healing of his wound,1 settling in a delusive peace-the professor, "having a name that he lives; but he is dead." These cases cannot, in all their minute and diversified forms, be fully treated in the pulpit. It is therefore in his Pastoral character, that the Minister "watches for souls, as one that must give account." 2 But he "watches also in all things." There are seasons peculiarly suited for specific instruction, or for the enforcement of particular duties-special opportunities (such as providential visitations) for conviction or consolation-seasons that should find the Minis

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