LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, t 
 
 I ^i^// I.E5.. \ 
 
 * \ 
 
 ^UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.^ 
 
I 
 
A 
 
 DISCOURSE 
 
 DELIVERED AT THB 
 
 ORDINATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Rev. David D, Fields 
 
 TO THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE CHURCH AKD SOCI« 
 
 ETY IN 
 
 H A D n A M, 
 
 AfRIL II, 1804, 
 
 t 
 
 Ey JOHN E L L 1 O T T, A. M, 
 
 Pq/ior of a Church i» Gu'I/ard, 
 
 Middletcwn : 
 PRINTED BY T. & J,B. DUNNING. 
 
 1805, 
 
^^^^ 
 
 LC Control Number 
 
 tinp96 031638 
 

 A DifcQurfe. 
 
 ^ Corrinthians xii. 15. 
 
 I WI-LL VERY ©LAPLY SPEND AND BE SPENT FORY0U# 
 
 THIS is the language of the Apoftle Paul. In him 
 was exhibited, clearly, the mighty power andfov- 
 ereign grace of God. The prejudices of his education 
 were deep rooted. He was trained to fcience under 
 the inftruQion of Gamaliel, a celebrated dodor of the 
 Jewifh laws. Exceedingly zealous of the traditions 
 of his fathers, he profited in the Jews religion above 
 moll of his nation, who were his equals in years. But 
 when it pleafed God, who called him by his grace, to 
 reveal to him the Saviour, immediately he '* conferred 
 not with flefh and blood." Arretted in the midft of 
 his perfecuting career, by the arm of the i\lmighty, 
 and made a monument of everlafting love, the hiftory 
 of his life, from this memorable period, is written in 
 fairer lines, his ambition receives a divine tin6lure, 
 and is directed to the attainment of noble and exalted 
 objeQs ; and he burns with love to the blefled Re- 
 deemer, and the precious fouls of men. 
 
 Under this divine and gracious impreffion, did he 
 exprefs the ftrong aod lively emotions of his heart, in 
 the pathetic manner now before us ; I will very gladly 
 f^end and be fpent for you^ or, for your fouls. 
 
 The Apoftie addreffed thefe words to the church 
 which he had previoully eftablifhed at Corinth, an 
 opulent city of Greece, where he abode, for the pur- 
 pofe of teaching the word of God, and converting its 
 inhabitants, for the fpace of a year and fix months. 
 
 The general idea contained in this pafTage, is, that 
 it is the duty and difpcfition of a faithful gofpel-mia- 
 
ifter to be toilling to fpend and he (pent for the good of 
 his people : to undergo with cheerfulnefs ihe moftex< 
 treme toil, wearifomcnefs and felf denial neceffary to 
 promote and fecure the invaluable intertfts of their 
 fouls. 
 
 In the illijftration of the fubjeft, I (hall endeavor, 
 
 I. To fhew why a gofpel minilter fliould poflefs this 
 wiilingnefs. 
 
 II. Enquire what will produce this willingnefs. 
 
 III. Shew in what manner it is manifefted. 
 
 I. I am to fhew why a gofpel-minfter fliould poffefs 
 this v/illingnefs. 
 
 ift. Becaufe of the value of fouls. — The foul of man 
 is the bright image of the great Creator : an effulgent 
 beam from the fountain of light, life and bleffednefs. 
 Man is compofed of two parts, foul and body. The 
 body dies and returns to duft. But the foul, after 
 death, will afcend to God, who gave it. It is immor- 
 tal ; will exift forever. It is capable of enjoying end- 
 lefs blifs or fuffering endlefs woe. If redeemed, it 
 will probably enlarge in its powers and capacity of en- 
 joyment, its blifs and glory will increafe, through 
 countlefs ages.— On the other hand, the fufferings 
 which an immortal fpirit is capable of enduring, through 
 eternity, are infinitely great and inconceivable. 
 
 We have no ftandard by v;hich to meafure, or with 
 which to compare, the length and breadth, and depth 
 of eternity. It is an ocean without bottom and with- 
 out fhore. The happinefs enjoyed, or the mifery en- 
 dured, by all the creatures of God from the creatidfi 
 to the final confummation of all things, will bear na 
 comparifon with thofe of an immortal fpirit through a 
 period which hath no end. The revolution of mil- 
 lions of ages, the unforefeen changes which may take 
 place in the material fyftem of the univerfe, the diilb- 
 lution of the heavens and the earth, and the creation 
 and the deflrudion of new orbs of light, will bring na 
 termination to the joys of the redeemed, or the mifery 
 of the damned. Every foul, therefore, for which the 
 fervant of the Lord is called to watch and to toil, is. 
 of infinite worth; of more value than the world^ is capa- 
 
ble of enjoying a-nd praifi ng God forever. Saith the 
 Iledeemer, What Jhall it profit a ma% if he j^ain the 
 whole worlds and lofi his own foul ? or what fit all a man 
 give m exchange for his foul ? Mark vrii. 36. 37. 
 
 The ialvaiion of a fingle foul is of unfpeakable im- 
 portance. A.n exertion to fave it is an exertion 10 
 obtain an infinite good, to fecure endlefs bleff^dnefs 
 for one of the creatures of God. It is an high and in- 
 terifting obj' cl ; an objed, which awakens the curiof- 
 ity, and calls forth the hallalujahs, ^ the hods of heav- 
 en. A foul faved, or a foul loii, is an infinite difpar- 
 ity. It adds to the fuui of univerfal felicity or woe 
 forever, and to the individual, is ihe height of the one, 
 or the depth of the other. 
 
 If the falvation of a fingle foul be an obj.6l of this 
 imraenfe magnitude, how vaft mufl be that of all who 
 are committed to the caife and charge of a gofpet min- 
 ifter ? How doth this motive increafe in weight and 
 folemnity from the connderaiion of the ntimbers, 
 ^vhichhe may be the honored inftrument of (aving 
 from eternal wrath ? What increafe may he give to 
 the blifs of angels ! What additions make, through ihc 
 bleflTirf^ of God, arid riches of grace, to the aflembly 
 of the redeemed ! 
 
 . 2d. Becaufe of Apofiolic example. In the fervor 
 of his zeal to do good, the Apoftie could fay, I will 
 very gladly fp end and be fipent for y^u. On other occa- 
 fions we hear him declare, None of theft things move 
 me., neither count I my life dear unto my j elf. jo that I 
 might fi,ni/h my courfe with joy, and. the minijlry which I 
 have received of the Lord Jtjus^ to l^ftify the gof pel of the 
 grace of God. Adsxx. 24. Being ajjedionately defi- 
 rous of you^i we were willing to have imparted unto you^^ 
 not the gojpel of God only^ but alfo our own fouls, becaufe 
 ye were dear unto us, 1 ThefT. ii. 8. 
 
 In thefe declarations are contained fentiments wor- 
 thy to be imbibed, and made the ground of condu6i:, 
 hy all who engage in the work of the evangelical min- 
 ifiry. They exprefs that paternal tendernefj, lively 
 affe6tion and earned folicitude, which fhould aBuate 
 the minds of all, who are honored as airibailkdors of the 
 
King of Zion. The object at which they fiiould aim^ 
 and which ihey are bound to keep conftantly in view, is 
 precifely the faine in every age, the glory of God ani 
 the redemption of guilty and feif-ruined finners. Irn- 
 morial fouls are equally precious at this day, as in the 
 beginning of chriilianity ; God is glorified in the fame 
 manner by their falvation, and there is as much joy in 
 heaven at the converrion of a Cnnerj as in ihofe prim 
 itiveages. 
 
 The ApoiTie, w^ofe words have been quoted, fhines 
 with iuftre among thole, who were divinely called to 
 fpread the light and teach the do61rines of the gofpel. 
 His exertions, his labors and his zeal were amazing, 
 and his fuccefs abundant and ailonirnjne^, in enlighten- 
 ing and reforming ihe world. Favored with the im- 
 mediate diredion and enjoying the afliftance of tbq 
 Holy Ghoft, in gathering churches,, teaching divirie 
 truths, confounding gainfayers and winning fouls to 
 Chriil, he poiI( iTed that view of divine things, which 
 eminently qualified him for the work of the Lord. If 
 in his diligence, labors and engagednefs, he hath ex- 
 hibited a proper pattern for thofe who fucceed him as 
 Ihepherd&of the flock of Chriil, it comes w'.^h the 
 weight, and carries the force of high— of apoftolic au- 
 thority. 
 
 Particular circumftances may have occured in ther- 
 days of the Apoftlej:, which led to a line of condu6i, 
 peculiar and appropriate to that period, but where ever 
 a general principle operates, it applies with equal force 
 at all times, even the moft diftant. What reafon, then, 
 can be affigncd, why the fame deep concern for the 
 good of never dying fouls ihould not animate to faith- 
 ful and unremitted labors, thofe who teach the way of 
 life, at the prefent day, as animated thofe who fuftain- 
 ed the fame charafter, and of^ciated in the fame im- 
 portant office, when the chriftian religion was firft es- 
 tabhfhed in the world ? 
 
 3d. ChriR died to fave fouls. The defign of Ch rift's 
 incarnation, life on earth, and death on the crofs, was 
 to glorify God in the recovery of our loft world. The 
 ruined race of apoftate Adam could be ranfomed by 
 
nolefs price than the blood of the Lamb of Godw 
 Saiih the Apoftle, For as much as ye know that ye were 
 not redeemed with corrupiihle things asfiiver and gold ;— 
 hut ivith the precious blood of ChriJ}^ as of a lamb without 
 hlemijh and without fpot, i Peter i. 18. And we find 
 the command given, Feed the church of Go d^w hie h he, (ihdit 
 is,Chrift) hath pur chafed with his own blood, A6ls, 2G.2S, 
 In the ancient counfels of eternity was the mediatorial 
 fcheme devifed. In accomplifhing this gracious and 
 wonderful plan, the bleffed Son of God left the bo- 
 fom of the Father, and the pure manfions of the (kies, 
 came down to earth, and, in mortal form, endured the 
 moft extreme and amazing fufFerings. The hiftory of 
 his life is the hiftory of woe, and the awful hour, when 
 he drank the full cup of the Father's wrath, is marked 
 with the cleareft demonftration of inconceivable an- 
 guifh. 
 
 To expiate the (ins of the world, this illuftrious per- 
 fon, who was the brightnefs of the Father's glory ; who 
 was truly and effentially God, expired in agonies on 
 the crofs. Chrifl hath appeared to put atuay fin by ths 
 facrifice of himfelf and was once offered to bearthefins of 
 many, Heb. ix. 26. Neither by the blood of goats and 
 calves^ hut by his own bloody he entered in once into the ho- 
 ly place^ having obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb. 
 ix. 12. The facrifices and oblations under the law, 
 all pointed to a great and efficacious atoning facrifice, 
 afterward to be offered. The types and fhadows of the 
 Jewifh difpenfation received their full accomplifhment 
 in Jefus of Nazareth, and at the feet of the crofs, their 
 beauty and glory fadeth forever. The hour of the cru- 
 cifixion was the moft interefting and eventful, to heav- 
 en and earth, of any from the beginning to the end of 
 time. Chrifl did not fiffer the jiifl for the unjufl^ and 
 hear our fns in his own body on the tree^ 1 Peter ii. 24. 
 for a purpofe unworthy the Godhead. Couldalefs 
 oblation have fatisfied the inflexible juftice of God, or 
 had it not been an elfcntial branch of that moft glorious 
 work of the Almighty, the work of man's redemption, 
 mount Calvary would never have witnefTed the folcmn 
 and bloody fcene. Since the divine perfe6:ions re- 
 
quired the fhedding of this infinitely precious blood 
 to ranfom guiity mortals, how highly are they ettimatcd 
 by a wife and holy God ! 
 
 If the divine Emmanuel freely confented to undergo 
 all the pangs of a ftate of humiliation, for the glory of 
 the Father and the ialvation of finners, can thofe who 
 arr* engaged in his fervice, who '' labor in wo'^d and 
 c?(/^r?n^," hefitate to endure every trial and furmount 
 every obftacle in the path of duty, with fortitude, pa- 
 tience and reHgnation ? Is the fervant above his Lord, 
 or the difciple above his mafter, or the fubjed above 
 his prince ? Let the flothful laborer in the vineyard 
 lift his eye to the crofs, contemplate the agonies of the 
 Redeemer, and learn his duty to the fouls of men. 
 
 4th, Goipei minifters muft give an account of iheit 
 conduB to God. 
 
 To various ftationsin life, various duties are affign* 
 ed. The Itaiion of thofe whominifter in holy thingsis 
 bigh arrd refponfibie. They ^rc /Inwards of the myjitries 
 of God^ and it is required in ftewards that a man be Jound 
 faithful. 1 Cor. iv 2. I hev watch for fouls as they thai 
 m-ujl give account. Heb. xiii. 17. They are watchmen, 
 placed by the King of Heaven upon the walls of fpiritu- 
 ai Jerufalem, and are bound never to hold their peace 
 day or nigir:. For their fidelitv in the caufe of Him, 
 by whom they are appointed, and their exertions to 
 promote the {piruu-il and everlafting inierefls of thofe 
 committed to their care, they muft render an account 
 at the bar of God. Hear the divine declaration by the 
 pr;)phet, to the prefcnt point. Son of man^ I hdve made 
 thee a watchman unto the hife of Jfrael ; therefore hrar 
 the word at my mouthy and g^ive them warning from me. 
 When I fav unto the wicked thou fna't furely die ; and thou 
 give/t him notw irnin^^ nor fpeakefl to warn the wicked 
 Jr.m his wicked way. to fave his life ; the fame wick d man 
 Jhall die in his iniquity : but his blood will 1 1 e quire at 
 thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wickfdy and he tarn not 
 from his wickednefs^ nor from hi^ wichd rvay^ he frntl (tic 
 in his iniquity : but thou haft delivered thy foul. Ez?. iii. 
 18,19. 
 
 Wirh reference to this account^ihlenels, in the day 1 
 of re.ribuuonj w- • -'• that the Apofilc addreffed the el- 
 
9 
 
 dersof the church at Ephefus in that folemn manner, 
 
 Wherefore I take you to record this day. that I am pure 
 from the blood of all men, A6ls xx. i^. Souis that per- 
 ifh will be as a millftone about the necks of unfaithful 
 flicpherdsj to fink them down to endlefs perdition ; 
 while ihofe, who through their inftrumentality, are 
 brought to inherit everlafting iife^ wiil be ihe'n joy and 
 crown of rsjoicing in the prefence of the Lord J'fub Chrtft^ 
 at his coming, i Theff. ii. 19. It ftands on divine re- 
 cord, Th y that be wife fliall fkine ah the brighinefs 0/ the 
 firmament : and they that turn many to righteoufnefs^ as 
 the fiars forever and ever. Dan. xii. 3. Faithful ftew- 
 ards are unto God a fiveet favor of Chrifl^in them that 
 are faved^ and in them that per ifh. 2 Cor ii, 15. Iffin- 
 iiers obftinateiy refufe to hearken to the graci'^us invita- 
 tions of the gofpel and rejeft a merciful and bleeding 
 Saviour, their obftinacy wiil bring upon ihemfelves 
 fwift deftrudion ; but though Ifrael be not gathered^ thofe 
 who have faithfully warned them of their danger, and 
 diligently pointed them to the ark of fafety, willbeglO'- 
 riou^ in the eyes of the Lord, Ifaiab, ^lix. 5* 
 
 The day of judgment vnW be folemn indeed to thofe 
 who have had the chirge of fouls. The falvation, not 
 only ofothers^ but of themfelves, will effentially de- 
 pend on the manner in which they accomplifh the 
 work alligned them in the vineyard of the Lord. Saith 
 the infpired penman. Take heed unto thy fdf^ and unto 
 the do5irine ; continue in them : for in doing this thou 
 fhalt bothfave thyfelf^ and them that hear thee, i Tim, iv. 
 16. 
 
 II. We are to enquire v/hat will produce this wil- 
 lingnefs to.fpend and be fpent for the good of fouls. 
 
 It is believed, it muft be divine influence, power or 
 grace. Thofe who, when engaging in the work of the 
 gofpel-miniftry, are afluated by mercenary motives ; 
 V. ho afpire, fupremely, to wealth, honor or worldly dif- 
 tinftion, evidently feek, not the glory of God and the 
 falvation of perifhing iinners, but their own vain glo- 
 ry and exaltation. The objects they have in view, do 
 B )t conefpond with the langu^^e of the Apoflie, and 
 w.iile they make the facred profcffions^ a cloak of cqy- 
 
 B 
 
1€> 
 
 etoufrrels and an hopeful mean of outward pre- emi- 
 nence, they are hypocrites in the light of heaven, and 
 unworthy the office with which they are entrufted. 
 However injudicious they may be in the choice of a 
 mean to accomplifii their end, the motive remains bafe 
 and unfcriptural. It is a divine injun6lion to the el- 
 ders of the church. Feed the. Jlock of God—taking the 
 ovcrjight thereof ^ not by conflraint^ but willingly ; not for 
 filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, i Pet. v. 2. And the 
 Apoftle, in the verfe preceding the text, folemnly de- 
 clares, I feek not your' s, but you. Had he continued in 
 the fame (late, as before his fpecial divine call, fuch 
 language as this would never have been heard from his 
 lips. 
 
 Divine grace produceth this v/illingnefs to fpend and 
 be fpent ;- ill by infpiring with zeal to promote the 
 glory of God, 
 
 Gracious affeftions are holy^ and have God for 
 their objeft^ Thofe who exercife them, entertain juft 
 and honorable views of the divine charader. They 
 confider the Moft-High as a being infinitely perfeft and 
 exalted, and rejoice in all the difplays of his perfec- 
 tions. The excellencies of his nature, and the won- 
 ders of his works,— his greainefs, condefcenfion and 
 love, appear to them exceedingly glorious and amia- 
 ble, and they defire that they may appear to others in 
 the fame light, and be approved and admired by all 
 intelligent creatures. The foundation of an holy ar- 
 dor, that his prailes fhould be celebrated and his name 
 every where glorified, is laid, in this glorious and juft 
 view of his character and perfe6lions. His own glory 
 is his highell: and ultimate end in all his condu6l, and 
 in proportion as his creatures are enlightened in their 
 underfiandings and affiriiilated to him, in holy views 
 and exercifes, they difcover the propriety and juftice 
 that this fhould be their greateft concern. 
 
 This is the view, ihele are the exercifes of all real 
 chriiiians, and eminently fo, of thofe ferving at the al- 
 tar, if, like BsiTr^^ih2iS,full of the Holy Ghoflj and of faiths 
 Divinely called, their hearts burn with holy and flam- 
 ing zeal to be honored, as inftruments of bringing glQ- 
 
11 
 
 ry to him, who bath commiffioned them to declare to 
 others the way of life. They fully and influentially 
 realize, that the falvation of every finner redounds to 
 his honor, and caufeth joy in heaven, and that the im- 
 portance of exertions for this purpofe is exceedingly 
 great. From thefe principles they are excited to con- 
 tend ag.»inft the influence and dominion of fatan, and 
 with unremitted induftry to (irive to refcue bond (laves 
 from his.vafTalage. They deem no toil too great, no 
 labor too affiduous, that they may glorify God, by ac- 
 complifhing as inilruments, Ws purpofes of grace, in 
 bringing fouls to glory. This appears to them an ob- 
 je6l claiming their higheft attention— calling forth, be- 
 yond every other, their molt vigorous exertions. 
 
 From thofe who have wrong or diihonoring views 
 of God, his chara6ler and government, an oppofite line 
 of conduH is to be expefted. Thofe who are divinely 
 enlightened behold, in a peculiar and ravilhing manner, 
 the glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God. 
 2d. Divine grace produceth love to fouls. 
 They who have no fpecial fenfe of the value of thdr- 
 own foulsjwill not feel deep anxiety for the eternal wel- 
 fare and falvation of thofe of others. The immeafur- 
 able diftance between life and death, redemption and 
 perdition, is not fully impreffed upon their minds.— 
 This is the cafe with gracelefs miniflers of the word. 
 Having never been favingly wrought upon by divine 
 power and efFe6lually drawn to GhriR ^ having riever^ 
 feen the dreadful evils to be avoided nor the infinite 
 good to be obtained by a vital union to him ; having 
 never been born, not of blood, no?' of the will of thejlefti^ 
 nor of the will of man, hut of God^ they, in a great mea- 
 fure, are cold, carelefs and unengaged in the work of 
 the Lord. To them, k is matter of too great indiffer- 
 ence, whether the work profpcrs, and finners are re- 
 deemed, or whether it be unfuccefsful and theyperiih. 
 It is not to be fuppofed, that thofe who have taken 
 no heed to their own fouls— have not diligently labor- 
 ed to fecure the favor and everlafting mercy of- 
 God, (hould burn with love to the fouls of their feU 
 If w-men. 
 
12 
 
 But thofe who have felt the power of fovereign grace, 
 and are called to difpenfe rerealed truths, when 
 they behold blind and ftupid Tinners rufh ng down to 
 remedilefs deftru6tion, atid think of immortal fouls 
 being loft forever; when they refli 61 that thofe to whom 
 they minifter in holy thingSj over whom the Holy 
 Ghod haih made them overfeers, are in in minant dan- 
 ger of finking into endlefs torment^j, and fufftrmg the 
 vengeance of eternal fire, are roufed to the higheft ac- 
 tivity- double their diligence in the ftrvice if their 
 divine Lord^ and gladly employ all their time and tal- 
 ents, to inftruft, enlighten and purfuade them to turn, 
 and live; and earneftly pray to God, that he would 
 p'uckthem as brands from the burning. That thofe 
 who ferve at the altar, without grace, may be ufed as 
 inftruments of the faving converfion of finners, and 
 that feed fown by unhoilowed hands ma) be bleffedj 
 and fpring up, and bear fruit, is not denied. But in 
 vain (hall we look to men of this ftamp for glowing ar- 
 dor, burning zeaU fervent love, and earneit unceafing 
 prayer. If there be a time of refrefhing from the pre- 
 fence of the Lo'^d, they are enlivened, animated and 
 encouraged in a much lefs degree, than thofe who have 
 implanted arid abiding within them a divine and incor- 
 rupiable fiped. The latter are filled with thankfulnefs 
 and joy, when the church of the Redee;meris enlarged 
 in numbers and adorned with graces, and multitudes 
 flock, " as clouds and as doves to the windows." 
 
 3d Divine influence on the heart renders the v/ork 
 of the miniilry pleafing. 
 
 The nature of this work is fuch, that it cannot afford 
 pleafdre to the carnal mind. The fubjefts to be con- 
 templated in its performance, the doctrines to be 
 taught, the motives by which duty is to be er forced 
 and ihe end to which the lives of the ungodly leadj 
 meet with violent oppofiiion in the unrenewed heart. 
 How can the neceffitv of regeneration be urged with 
 that zeal andearneftnefs which its importance demands, 
 bv one who h^th never experienced a faving change ?^ 
 How can ihe indifpenfible neceffity of holinefs be pref- 
 £ed with fiiithfulnefsj by one who does not iove ii h 
 
18 
 
 How can it be a delightful employment to a proA ITed 
 ferv nt of the Lord, to exhort an » conmand others to 
 piirfue a path, which he hath himfe'f never trodden ? 
 How unfKiiful muil a man be, to allilt othc rs in learn- 
 ing a fcie?^ce, which he hath never fiudied ? 
 
 The ffftB of divine power is to make ihefe rubje8s 
 delighiful. He who hath experienced the grace of 
 God, enjoys high and dura b!e-fa{ibfa6 ion, in fearcl;iT g 
 into the mvftery of godlioefs, in contemplating the 
 amazing change wrought in the effeBnally called, in 
 inftruding others in (he concerns of the Redeemer's 
 kingdom, and in laboring to bring them to the know- 
 ledge of the truth. The converfion of every finner 
 ^auleth his heart to overflow with joy, and the hope of 
 l)eing an inftrument in cflpeHing this end animates him 
 in duty. The plan of foyereign grac^, in ail its branch- 
 es, he delights to contemplate and ottol, and unfeign- 
 ^dly gives thanks, when the gofpel co^^ies unto others, 
 ^ot in word only, hut alfo i7i power, and m the Holy Ghcjij 
 0nd in much cijfuranc^. t Theif i. 5. 
 
 Succefs contributes greatly to render the work plea- 
 fing, and to this, exemplary piety and the religion of 
 the heart, are exceedingly favorable. If is not indeed 
 to be affumed as an ellablifhed principle, that even 
 |he utmoil faithfalnefs in the care of fouls, grounded 
 on high, and diftinguifhed attainments in grace, will 
 invariably, and immediately be crowned with a divine 
 bleffi ig. The ambaffadors of peace, though faithful 
 to their truii, are many times left to take up the bitter 
 lamentation, that they have labored in vain and fpent 
 their ftrength for nought. In beftowing b eflings on 
 the means of grace, God a8s as a fovereign, accom- 
 plifhing his holy and gracious purpofes by ii ftrumentiS 
 oihh own fele£lion. He clearly teacheth, by his dif- 
 penfatioDs in this refpeci, that " neither he that 
 planteth, nor he that water eth is any thing " The 
 learning of Paul, and the eloquence of Apol- 
 los, cannot avail to the converfion of a fingle 
 foul, without almighty power — But the probability 
 of proiperity to . Zion is greater under a pious, 
 evangelical and orthodox minifter of the gofpel, than 
 under one of a contrary charader. Shining tal- 
 
H 
 
 ents are by no means fo rich a bleffing to a people, as. 
 vital piety and faith unfeigned, in their fpiritual guide; 
 and it is an heavy frown of heaven to be taught and 
 guided by one deftitute of thefe. The faithful and 
 laborious watchman enjoys a brighter profpe6t and 
 more folid ground of hope concerning the refult 
 of his toil, than the unfaithful ; or if the fhowers 
 do not defcend, to blefs his eye and gladden his heart, 
 in his day, the feed fown may fpring up, when his la- 
 bors have ccafed, and h« lies in the grave. It is, prob- 
 ably, not an uncommon cafe, that what one fows, an- 
 other reaps, and none fhould faint or conceive the faith- 
 ful nefs of God to have failed, if their prayers be not 
 anfwered and their inftruClions blefled, in the time. 
 a,nd manner, which human wifdom wou'd defire. 
 
 In the particulars now mentioned, the Apoftle Paul 
 is a finifhed pattern in his life, converfation, public 
 preaching and the manner of his death. With what 
 zeal did he burn to glorify God I Through what toils, 
 imprifonments and dangers did he pafs, that he might 
 fave never dying fouls ! How was he ravifhed and ani- 
 mated with the greatnefs, the benefits aad profpeCls of 
 his work I 
 
 III. In what manner this willingnefs is manifefted, 
 — A gofpel minider fhews this willingnefs to fpend and 
 be fpent,— ift. By devoting bis whole life to the fer- 
 vice and good of fouVs. 
 
 In the prefent ftate of the world and of the churchs 
 much preparation is requifite, to enter upon the field 
 of minifterial labors, with a fair profpeft of comfort, 
 ufefulnefs and fuccefs. Ordinary preachers of the 
 vord are to become qualified for the holy office by a 
 regular courfe of fcientific purluits. " Called of God," 
 they of free choice enter into the facred profeffion, 
 and as the days of youth are pafFed away in the necef- 
 fary preparation, fo alfo the meridian and the evening 
 of life, in executing the arduous duties of the office.— 
 If a perfon through years of toil and expeufe, qualify 
 himfelf with a ftore of knowledge, for the work of the 
 Lord's vineyard, and then cheerfully yield himfelf the 
 fervant of a people for Jefus' fake, and refolve that the 
 
Hvhole bulinefs of his life fhall be to confult and prd- 
 inote their fpiritual welfare, what higher evidence of 
 his being willing to fpend and be fpent for them, caa 
 be defired ?--In the cafe, particularly, of fplendid tal- 
 ents, it will hardly be contended, but that more lucra- 
 tive, and, in the view of the world, more honorable 
 employments, are relinquiflied, for thofe which par- 
 take lefs of this chara6ler.— The period dedicated tp 
 this fervice and confecrated to this object, by thofe 
 who engage in the work of God and perfevere in it 
 is the whole of the aftive and ufeful part of life ; and 
 perfeverance is the duty of all who engage. To 
 abandon the profeffion, becaufe brighter profpeQs op- 
 en for worldly greatnefs, is unbecoming the character 
 of a chriftian minifter. ^his is to prefer the applaufe 
 of men to the approbation of God : to love father and 
 mother more than Chrift. 
 
 Whatever be the theatre of a6lion to which the fpir- 
 itual laborer is called by the providence of God, 
 whether he be ftated over a particular flock, or a^ 
 as a miffionary, the evidence arifing from his chofen 
 and beloved purfuit is the fame. What more could 
 an Apoftle do, than to preach the glad tidings of the 
 gofpel to a congregation dear to him in the Lordj or, 
 for the inftruftion and reclaiming of loft linners, trav- 
 er[Q the lonefome paths of the wildernefs, or, to fpread 
 the favor of the Redeemer's name, vifit diftant regions 
 of the earth and dwell among Heathens on the 
 iflands of the fea ? If this doth not manifeft love to 
 fouls, where is the evidence to be found ? 
 
 2d. A willingnefs to fpend and be fpent is fhewn hj 
 a diligent (earching of the fcriptures to know the 
 truth. 
 
 Having chofen his coyrfe of life, with a particular 
 view to advance the fpiritual intereft of his people, the 
 fervant of the Lord muft affiduoufly learn the mind 
 and will of God revealed in the infpired volume. This 
 is to be the guide unto his feet, and lamp unto his 
 path, as well as of thofe whom he inftruBs. From this 
 rich mine, treafures of fpiritual inftruftion are to be 
 drawn. Thofe high and interefting truths, with the 
 
id 
 
 jknowledge and beMef of which the falvation of the foul 
 is intimately connefted, are found recorded only in 
 the bible. To this facred book the appe <! is ever to 
 be made for the decifion of the great queftions, which 
 involve the duties and the deftination of man. lis 
 language is the language of heaven and its voice the 
 voice of God. Tnrough the whole of the infpired 
 Canon, in all the du6trines taught, the preCepts givenj 
 the duties enjoined and the practice recommended, a 
 perfeB fyflem is to be traiced— an unbroken chain dif- 
 cerned 5 while by disjoining, mifconllruing, or wrong- 
 h uniting and applying, the unlearned and unftable 
 wreft particular and detached paffages of fcripture, to 
 their own deftru6lir>n and that of oihers. 
 
 To guard againft fuch fatal errors, or detect thofe 
 guilty of fuch willful blindnels, no mean is more promi- 
 ling and efFcBual, than a diligent attention to the word 
 of God : a comparifon of its various parts and labori- 
 ous ftudy to underftand its true meaning. It is the 
 maxim of infpiration, that the priejl's lips Jhould keep 
 knowledge^ and the popJe JJinild jttk the Law at hi^ 
 mouhh : for he is the mi'JJtngtr of the Lord of hojls. Mai. 
 ii. 7. And it is a maik of a pafto,r after God's heart, 
 thai ht feeds the flock with knowledge and undeijianding, 
 Jer. iii. 15. How can he execute this important of- 
 fice, or can they with pn fit enquire of him the nature 
 of he Law, unlefs he pofTefs the requifite knowledge ? 
 And how can he obtain this knoAiedge withous con- 
 ftant recourfeto the divine oracles, wiihout application 
 to the ftore houfe in which it is laid up ? Vvom the 
 writings c>f the Apoftlesja multitude of direBions and 
 exhortations might be cited, grounded on the necefli- 
 ty, that thofe who inftrufct others fhould carefully pe- 
 rufe and undeiftand ihe divine word. Lf any manfpeaky 
 let him Jprak as the orac'es oj God 1 Pet. iv. 11. ^tw'y 
 to /hew thy f elf approved unto God, a workman that nred- 
 eth not to be aJJiamed^ rightly dividing the word of truth, 
 2 Tim ii. 15. Give attendance to readtno^^^o exhortatu->n^ 
 to doBrine. Meditate upon thffe things ; give tk\felf 
 wholly to them^ that thy profitincr 7nny appear to alL 1 Tmi, 
 iv. 15. The ignorant and floti»ful will not only meet 
 
with painful embarraflments, but difhonor the caufe 
 which they attempt to defend and promote. It will be 
 beyond their power, to baffle the arts of fophiftry and 
 confound gainfayers, and the enemies of religion, or 
 the oppofers of their particular tenets, will not fail to 
 impute the feeblenefs of their efforts to the badnefs of 
 their caufe. Religion, in this cafe, will be defpifed and 
 traduced, becaufe thofe, whofe bufinefs it is, are una- 
 ble to explain its principles, prove its excellence and 
 iiluftrate its authenticity,--As the knowledge of the 
 fcriptures is of fo vaft importance, their diligent fearch 
 muft be an eflential duty of an ambaflador of Chrift ; 
 and as the field is wide, giving fcope for much affidui- 
 ty, the neceilary application mull be an evidence of 
 that willingnefs expreffed in the text. 
 
 3d, This willingnefs to fpend and be fpent requires, 
 and is exhibited by a faithful declaration of the whole 
 counfel of God. 
 
 All fcripture is given hy injpiration of God^ and is 
 profitable for doBrine^ for reproof for co7~reBion^ for in- 
 Jlrutlion in rightoifnefs, 2 Tim. iii. 16. Whatever is 
 revealed was defigned for the good of mankind, and 
 they who inllruft in the doBrines and duties of reli- 
 gion, are not authorifed to decide that any part of the 
 facred volume is unnecefTary. The Apoftle could 
 call his hearers to bear witnefs that he had not fliun. 
 ned to declare^// ^/ze ceunfel of God. A6ls xx. 27. If 
 the feelings of the unrenewed are to be confulted, and 
 become the governing principle in the divine truths to 
 be uttered, much of the gofpel is to be difcarded. Wc 
 preach Chrifl crucified^ unto the Jews a jhmhling-block^ 
 and to the Greeks foolifhnefs, 1 Cor. i. 23. The direc- 
 tion to be wife as ftrpenis^ here applies with peculiar 
 force. Great prudence is to be ufed in preaching 
 thofe do8rines, and declaring thofe revealed truths, to 
 which the carnal mind is naturally oppofed. 
 
 The gofpel is to be preached with plaimfs offpeech. 
 The greateil proportion of thofe who hear are pofllffed 
 of good fenfe and found underftanding, and not verfed 
 in the fubtle theories of fcience, falfely fo called. Ab- 
 ftrufe and metaphyfical reafonings are, therefore, much 
 
 C 
 
i8 
 
 lcQ> conducive To their in)piovement and edificatiorij 
 than that inllruQion which is more eafily anderftood 
 and remembered. But it is to be remarked, that if a 
 doclrine be clearly revealed, although beyond the re- 
 fearch of reaion, or not capable of being fully explain- 
 ed to finite underftandings, it is to be believed and 
 taught. What is not revealed is hidden. Whatever 
 is revealed, is not fercet, but belongs to us. 
 IxMPROVEMENT. 
 
 111. Zeal in thofe who preach the gofpel is com- 
 mendable. 
 
 Their employment is high, to teach mankind the 
 way to heaven. Their commiflion is from the King 
 of Kings ; the obje8: in view is all important, the fal- 
 vation of immortal fouls. The value of thefe is be- 
 yond the higheil calculation* Rich rewards are prom- 
 ifed to the faithful— tremendous curfes denounced 
 againft the unfaithful. They. who feel the weight of 
 this high refponfibilityj and are under a folemn charge 
 of fidelity from their divine Lord, are capable of form- 
 ing the raofl corre8; judgment v/iih refpeQ: to the earn-, 
 cftnefs, becoming thofe engaged in the mini^erial work. 
 They take the Apoflle for their pattern, when they 
 feel deeply engaged and exceedingly anxious for the 
 fpiritual welfare of their flocks. Paul was ready to 
 fpend and be fpent ; and Peter declared to his peoplcg 
 / will endeavor that you may be ahle^ after my deeeafe^ to 
 have thefe things always m remembrance, 2 Pet. i. 15, 
 Knowing the depravity of human nature, the deceitful- 
 nefs of the heart, and the treachery of the memory, ef- 
 peciaily in things to which the mind is averfe, this 
 Apoflle felt a painful anxiety, lefl, when he was cal- 
 led away, thofe to whom he wrote, fhould forget the 
 things he had fpoken. It is not uncommon for a con- 
 gregation to liflen with attention to the words of a 
 preacher, but when they go from the houfe of God, re- 
 fle6l no more upon v/hat they heard. A flock of Chrifl 
 may appear very Iblemn and deeply affeBed under the 
 miniflry of one of his faithful fervanis, but when he 
 is called from his labors and configned to the duft, they 
 iofe their feriouihefs, forget his counfels, warnings and 
 
1? 
 
 admonitions. --The defires ©f one of ilvis charsBer sre 
 not bounded by the limits of his own life. Ke looks 
 forward, with earncfl longings of foul, to the prob- 
 able (late of his people, when he fliil! be wiih them no 
 more, and to ihe ftate of their fouls through eternirv. 
 — Do any objed to the fervor of ihofe in the miniilry 
 as too glov;ing, to their .^ea] as overheated ; that they 
 are inftant in fcafon and out o£ feafoo. improving op- 
 portunities not fpeciaily appointed by God, they may 
 point the objeftors to the Saviour on the crofs, raay 
 fpread before them the motives, pxhorutions and com- 
 mands to duty recorded in the infpired volume, n-av 
 dwell on the folemnity of the jcdgment-day, and the 
 retributions of the world to come, and then afl^, whether 
 wifdom does not cry aloud and fully approve the zeaL 
 the fervor, the anxiety for which they are arraigned. 
 
 ad. It becometh thofe v^ho hear the gofpelj to be 
 concerned for their fouls. 
 
 The defign of the miniilry is to promote the endlefs 
 good of mankind, and the glory of God. For this 
 high and benevolent purpofe was it infdtuted. To 
 each individual is the falvation of his foul of greater 
 importance, than it can poffibly be to others. If thofe 
 who declare divine truths in the name of the Lord, 
 feel extreme anxiety, left their fellow men depart from 
 the way of life and perifli forever, how fliould they 
 themfelves tremble at the thought of their ow^n deRroc- 
 tion ? Nothing more clearly proves the extreme fo'ly 
 of finners, or more deeply affects a fervant of Cbrift, 
 than their blindnefs, ftupidity and heardnefs of heart, 
 while expofed to the wrath of heaven and enjoying 
 the offer of divine mercy. In every age, it has pleai- 
 ed God by the foolifhnels of preaching to fave^finners. 
 A regular and devout attention to divine ordinances 
 is an hopeful mean to obtain the divine bleffing. But 
 if linners (hut their ears to the, melting accents of re- 
 deeming love, caft from them the words of life? and 
 rejeQ; a crucified Saviour, they defpife their own ever- 
 lading felicity, bid defiance to Jehovah, and plunge 
 themfelves into remedilefs ruin. 1 he banners of the 
 gdf^el are difplayed and ti\p glorious inmipet founded^,. 
 
2a 
 
 that finaers may be awakened from the flumbers of (in 
 and ipiiitual death ; that they may behold the awful 
 precipice, down which they are ready to pkinge, and 
 the wide-yawning gulph fpread beneath, and fly unto, 
 the (Irong hold provided for their deliverance. The 
 fituation of thofe who {lumber, when hanging over ev- 
 eriafting burnings, while favored with various means. 
 to alarm and aroufe them, is indefcribably awful 1 He 
 that being often reproved^ hardenelh his neck^Jhall fad- 
 denly be dejlroyed and that without remedy, Prov. xxix. j. 
 3d. From the review of our fubjeft, and the folem- 
 nities of this day? we learn, that the connexion between 
 a minifter and people, though exceedingly end(^aring, 
 muil, fooner or later, be diffolved by death. 
 
 This was the event to which the Apoftle was lookr 
 ing forward, when he fpake the words above cited ; 
 that ye may be able ^ after my deceaje. And this is ar> 
 event, to which every fervant of Chrift muft look for- 
 ward, as certain. Is he greatly beloved, does he livp 
 in the mmoft cordiality with his people, fiill the fum- 
 mons of death will call him from time. Every burnr 
 ing and fliining light in the golden candlefticks muft be 
 extinguiflied. " The minifters of Chrift," faith anoth- 
 er, " are flars : they fhine for a time ; the day haft- 
 ens, when thefe (lars will difappear forever. Chrifl 
 appoints them their orbs, where they fh all fhine, and 
 alfo their time of fkining." Some fhine for a much 
 longer period than others, but at laft go down. The 
 minifters of the altar are not fuffered to continue by 
 reafon of death. Among all churches, there is an al- 
 ternate fucceflion of thefe forrowful difpenfations^. 
 Over every church the clouds, according to divine 
 appointment, gather ; the daughters of Zion hang 
 their harps on the willows, and her mantle becomes 
 the mantle of mourning. Such events have ever been, 
 fuch allotments of providence will ever be. 
 
 The tranfaQions of this day witnefs the paft mourn,- 
 jng of this church and people. Why are we alFem- 
 bicd before thofe altars, to indu6t one into the facred 
 ofhce ? It i^ becaufe death hath laid his venerable pre- 
 dccefTor low in the dull. 
 
21 
 
 If it pleafe God to prolong the life and ufefulnefs of 
 $t miniftring fervant, yet is the connexion between him 
 ?ind fome of his beloved flock, every year difiblved. 
 They go before him to the bar of God, and give an 
 account of the manner they have treated his meffen- 
 gers and his word. If they have hearkened and obey- 
 ed, they receive a joyful invitation to enter into the 
 new Jerufalem, and unite with the affembly of the re- 
 deemed ;- if they have not hearkened, but difobeyed, 
 they are driven in wrath from the judgment feat and 
 fink down into the gulph of remedilefs woe. 
 
 A. brief addrefs to the Faftor eleB, and to the Church 
 and Societv peculiarly interefted in the folemnides of 
 the day, will clofe the difcourfe. 
 J)tar Sir^i 
 Did I not hope that you podeffed fome portion of 
 that ApofloHc fpirlt, which dilated the words of our 
 text, I fhould feel extremely anxious, when I fee you 
 in your prefent fituation. Your profpeft of comfort 
 or fuccels in the work of God and care of fouls, 
 \vould be exceedingly gloomy.— But in the belief that 
 you are blefl'ed with a gracious willingnefs to fpend and 
 be (pent, I rejoice in the field of labors, and profpe6i;s 
 of ufefulnefs now opening before you, and with warmth 
 of affeftion wifh you God-fpeed.— You enter upon an 
 honorable and glorious work ; a work appointed, ap- 
 proved and bleifed by heaven : a work diftinguifhfed 
 from every thing earthly, by its excellence, objeQ: and 
 glory to be. attained. You receive not the honor to 
 preach the unfcarchabte riches of Chrifl from men, but 
 from God. Remember that his eye is upon you, and 
 to him you mult give an account of your f^ewardihip. 
 Souls ready to perifh are now to be committed to your 
 care. You are to keep them fot God, and do your ut- 
 inoft to prefent them faultlefs before him. Dreadful 
 will be your doom, if the people of your charge rife 
 up againfh you in the day of judgment. Take heed 
 ihat you be yourfelf a true difciple of the meek and 
 lowiy Jefus, and exemplify the hidden life of the chris« 
 tian by a dole walk with God. 
 
 Be zealous for the honor of your glorious and blef- 
 kd Lord. Difplay before your people his glories and 
 
££ 
 
 excellences, his rnatchlefs love, amazing condefenSonj 
 and the greatnefs of his falvation ; aijd flrive to gain 
 their hearts for him. Addrefs dying fmners on the 
 dread realities of eternity, with all the folemnity, and 
 exhibit before them revealed truths, with all the force 
 and eloquence at yoar command. If prayers and tears, 
 if counfels and entreaties^ if toils and labors v/ill pre- 
 vent, let not a foul committed to your care be loft. 
 Let your zeal bear fome proportion to the dignity of 
 your office and importance of your truft, who hope- 
 fully art chofen to be a minifler of God's grace, and 
 meflenger of Chrift's dying love, to the children of 
 men.— Perfevere with conftancy in the duties of your 
 office, looking to the great head of the church for ne- 
 ceiTary affiftance. that you may teach the things, which 
 concern the Lord Jefus Chrift, with all confidence, 
 that you may finiffi your courfe, and the miniftry you 
 have received of the Lord, with exceeding joy, and 
 that when you meet your glorious Mailer, you may 
 prefcnt this branch of his church, through your inftru- 
 raentality, without fpot or wrinkle ; and that ffie may 
 {land, in the great day, on the King's right hand in 
 gold of Ophir. 
 
 To the church and fociety let roy addrefs now be 
 direfted. 
 
 Beloved in the Lord^ 
 After days of bereavement and mourning, the great 
 Head of the Church is plcafed to vifit you with tokens 
 of his love. The voice of lamentation was lately heard 
 in this houfe, but now the voice of joy. The paftor 
 eleQ (lands before you, ready to devote himfelf to the 
 interefts of your fouls and become confecrated to the 
 work of an Ambaffador of Chrift. Receive him as an 
 afcention gift, as a meffenger of the Lord of Hofts. 
 Remember, that by affumingthe care of your fouls he 
 endangers his own, by the v/eight of aduty encumbent 
 upon him. He is bound to be faithful, and believe it 
 to flow from a proper motive, if he plainly declare the 
 truth. The vow of God is upon him and he cannot go 
 back. 
 
 His comfort in life, you in a great meafure, hold in 
 your power. It is eafy to tofs the fervant of Chrift or 
 
23 
 
 a boifterous ocean, and infliB a deep and painful wound 
 in his heart. We hope " better things of you, and 
 things which accompany falvation," We befeech you 
 in the name of the Lord Jefus, to ejleem hiw highly for 
 his work's fake. Let him be among you without fear. 
 While you hold the memory of your deceafed paftor 
 dear, transfer the ftrong afFe^ion you bare to him, to 
 his fucceffor \n the evangelical work. He is now to 
 break to you the bread of life, and feed you with know- 
 ledge. As you have any regard to the honor of Chi ill 
 and the interefts of his kingdom, any compafiion for 
 precious fouls, your own or others, any tendernefs for 
 him whom you have invited to be fet over you in the 
 Lord, hearken to the words which he utters, believe 
 the truths which he publiihes, and pray, pray earneft- 
 ly, for him. Let your profiting under his miniftry 
 appear to all men, in your faith, holinefs and abound- 
 ing good works. Remember you muft fee your paf- 
 toron a day infinitely more folemn than the prefent. 
 To that day look forward, when your fathers, and youj 
 End your children, will ftand at the bar of God, with 
 the fucceffion of paftors, who have flood or fhall Hand, 
 on thefe walls of Jerufalem ; and in that folemn day, 
 may you meet your late paftor and him who is now to 
 be ordained^ with tranfports of joy ; may you amid 
 the acclamations of angels, afcend with them to the 
 regions of the fkies, and unitedly receive that crown of 
 glory thatfadeth not away. 
 
 Let me remind my audience of the tranfitory nature 
 of the world, of the certainty of death and the necefli- 
 ty of anintereft in the Saviour of finners. Weftiali 
 foon be wafted down the ftream of time to the land of 
 iilence. Soon muft we launch upon the boundlefs 
 ocean of eternity. What a day may bring forth is ut- 
 terly unknown.— Life and death are fet before us in 
 the gofpel. In heaven or in hell ail the children of 
 men will dwell forever. Hear inftruQion, O my hear- 
 ers, be wife and refufe it not. The blood of Cbrift 
 cleanfeih from all fin. In this blood may we all be 
 wafhed, for Chrift's fake. AMEN. 
 
The Cn^RGE given to the Rev. Mr. Field, at his Or^ 
 dination^ April itth^ 1804: By Enoch Hunting- 
 ton, A. M. Pajlor of the Jirjl Church of Chrijl in 
 Middletozvn» 
 
 IN theprefencc of this nuiiierous cortcourfe of belov- 
 ed chriftian brethren, and refpeftable friends, rifing 
 to perform the part afligned me, I cannot but feel pe- 
 culiar emotions, nor forbear to obferve how luitable 
 and profitable it is that my own heart; and give me 
 leave to add too, the hearts of all who attend the occa- 
 fion of the day, fhould he made thoroughly fenfible, 
 that the ordination of a minifter of the gofpel of Jefus 
 Chrift is a mod folemn and weighty matter. 
 
 The charge ufually given on the occafion, and which, 
 by direflion of the venerable council, I am now to 
 give, fhews it to be fo, indeed^ in the moft ferious light. 
 
 Angels, who are prefent in our churches, beholding 
 our order, no doubt, view with admiring delight an in- 
 ftitution To neceffary and important in the economy of 
 our redemption, the thiogs of which they defire to look 
 into. 
 
 To the newly ordained paftor, and the people of his 
 affeQionate care, it is infinitely intereiting ; its con- 
 fequences extend through all eternity, and will have 
 everlafting influence upon them in their future (late of 
 unmixed, unalterable happinefs or mifery, v;hen this 
 world, and the things of it fhall be no more. 
 
 To the Minifters, Brethren and Churches, affifting 
 in the (olemnity, it prefents to view their own vows 
 and obligations, their mutual duties now incumbent up- 
 on them, and what is before them in the approaching 
 judgment, and world of retributions. 
 
 To the fecond coming of our Lord Jefus Chrift and 
 our gathering together unto him, it points forward the 
 folemn attention of all believers, and warns them to 
 prepare for the great and laft day ; when wc muft all 
 lland before the judgment feat of Chrift ; and each 
 one of us give account of himfelf unto God. 
 
It is very unlikely that all of us of this lar^e afTem- 
 bly fhall ever meet again, until we meet at that awful 
 day, in the general affembly of the univeife, when the 
 Son of man (hall come in his own ^lory, and in his " 
 Father's, and with the holy angels, arid before him fhall 
 be gathered all nations. 
 
 Then, indeed, wc are fure all once more to meet, 
 h\ii to meet on a very different purpofe from that on 
 "which we are now met— -time and probation over, for- 
 ever gone— the day and the means of grace-no more 
 minifterial fervices to be done— no more precious op- 
 portunities to be improved— the Church no longer mil- 
 itant-- her warfare accomplifhed-nothing remaining 
 but to give an account of the paft, and to receive fen- 
 tence according to the deeds done in the body, whe- 
 ther they have been good, or whether they have beea 
 evil. 
 
 Then fhall the wicked go away into everlafting pun- 
 ifliment ; but the righteous into life eternal. 
 
 In thefe laft days, in the prefent age of the world, 
 and of the Church, when the prophecies are f^ vifibly 
 fulfilling, and fuch alarming events, according to the 
 fpirit of prophecy taking place ; when the adverfaries 
 and fcoffers manifefl themfelves and their defigns in 
 fuch a remarkable and peculiar manner • when, to fteal 
 away our faith, and root out the religion we profefs, 
 they are perpetually afTailing us by all the infidious arts 
 of fly deceit and flattery, with an effrontery unparal- 
 leiled in paft hiftory ; or by the impudent attacks of the 
 mofl open, daring impiety, and the mofl horrid blafphe- 
 mies J furely we have peculiar calls and warnings to 
 watch and pray ; to exercife holy patience and forti- 
 tude—to keep our garments, keep the commandments 
 of God and the faith of Jefus, and to fland faft in the 
 liberty wherewith Chrifl hath made us free. 
 
 To this particular Church, this day, to all chriflian 
 churches in general, efpecially thofe of New-England, 
 under the prefent afpefts of divine providence, and the 
 figns of the times in which we live,' how loud, how 
 plain and applicable is the voice of Chrifl;, in the Re- 
 Yelatioa made to St. John, directed primarily to tho^ 
 
Cburch of Philadelphia ? " Behold, I come quickly i 
 hold that faft which thou haft, that no man take thy 
 crown. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the 
 fpirit faith to the churches." .^ : 
 
 And now, Reverend and Dear Sir, our beloved 
 younger brother in the kingdom and patience of Jefus 
 Chrift, you being regularly introduced to theoffice and 
 ^ork of the Evangelical Miniflry, by Prayer and the 
 Laying on of the Hands of the Prefbytery, we your 
 elder brethrert, who have been introduced before, and 
 are now inftrumental in introducing you, with renewed, 
 folemn impreflions of the awful Charge which we our- 
 felves have received, proceed with all folemnity, and 
 in all brotherly love and tender alTeQion, to give the 
 like Charge to you, now one with us in the Chriftian 
 Miniflry— to ta'ice heed Xo fulSl the miniftry which you 
 have received. 
 
 And we chai ge tbee before God, and the Lord Jefus 
 Chrift, who fhall judge the quick and the dead at his 
 appearing and his kingdom, preach the word, be inftant 
 in feafc m' and out of feafon ; reprove, rebuke, exhon 
 with all iong-fuffering and do£lrine. Be blamelefs as 
 the Steward of God, a lover of hofpirality, a lover of 
 good men, fober, juft, holy, temperate; bonding faft 
 the faithful word, that you may be able by found doc- 
 trine, both to exhort and to convince the gainfayers. 
 
 Give thyfelf to reading, to meditation and prayer. 
 
 Study the whole fcripture v/hich is given by infpira- 
 tion of God, and is profitable for do61rine, for reproof^ 
 for correQion, for inftruftion in righteoufnefs, that the 
 man of God may be perfe6l, thoroughly fumifhed un- 
 to all good works. 
 
 According to the divine direftions of the New-Tef- 
 tament, adminifter, in all good confcience, the ordi- 
 nances and difcipline of the Church of Chrift. But 
 vain philofophy and foolifli unlearned queftions avoid, 
 knowing that they do gender ftrifes. And the Servanj; 
 of the Lord muft not ftrive ; but be gentle unto all mcn^ 
 apt to teach, patient, in mceknefs inftruOing thofe thai 
 oppofe themrelves, if God, peradvcnture, will give them 
 repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. 
 
Rightly divide tbe word of truth : love your diving 
 J^ord and Matter : love his feryice, and love your work, 
 I'eed thp hmbs, and feed the Iheep of Chrift's fold ; 
 and give to every one a portion in due feafon. Study 
 tQ. fhew thyfelf approved to God, a workman that 
 needeth not to be afhanied. Watch tbpu in all things ; 
 do the work of an evangelift ; make full proof of thy 
 miniflry. (Let no man defpife thy youth.) Let no 
 temptations, nor trials move you from the duties of 
 your ftation : but endure the affliQions of the gofpel, 
 and be faithful unto death. I^e thou an example of 
 the believers, in words in converfation, in charity, in 
 fpirit, in faith, in purity. Take heed unto thyfelf, and 
 unto thy doQrine. NegleB: not the gift that is in thee. 
 Meditate upon thefe things ; give thyfelf wholly to 
 them, that thy profiting may appear to all. Continue 
 in them ; for in fo doing, thou flialt both fave thyfelf 
 and them that hear thee. In all things fhew thyfelf a 
 pattern of good works; in doQrine fhewing uncor- 
 ruptnefs, gravity, fincerity, found fpeech that cannot 
 ^;»e condemned ; that he that is of the contrary part, 
 may be afhamed, having no evil thing to fay of you. 
 We charge thee before God and the Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 and the eleB angels, that thou obferye thefe things, not 
 preferring one to another, doing nothing by partiality. 
 Lay hands fuddenly on no man ; neither be partaker 
 of other mens' fins. Keep thyfelf pure. 
 
 The things which thou hafl heard and learned, which 
 belong to the evangelical miniflry, the fame commit 
 thou to faithful men, who fliall be able to teach others 
 alfo. 
 
 And thou, O man of God, flee youthful lufts; the 
 lufl of the flefh, the lufl of the eyes, and the pride of 
 life. And be not greedy of filthy lucre : But follow 
 after righteoufnefs, godlinefs, faith, love, patience and 
 mceknefs. 
 
 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal 
 life, whereunto thou art alfo called, and haft made a 
 good profeflion before many witnefTes. 
 
 We give thee charge in the fight of God who quick- 
 iieth all things^^, and before Jefus Chriff, who before 
 
Pontius Pilate witneffed a good confeffion, that thou 
 keep this commandment, without fpot, unrebukable, 
 until the appearing of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who is 
 the blefled and only Potentate, the King of Kings and 
 Lord of Lords ; to whom be honor and glory, domi- 
 nion and power through all ages. AMEN, 
 
i\ 
 
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