To change the metaphor, his flock are left " as sheep without a shepherd," to the mercy of the prowling wolf, that "great enemy of mankind, who goes about seeking whom he may devour."

(3.) Nor is the conduct of the too confident or self-sufficient Minister of Christ much less to be deprecated. Into whatever good actions the ardour of his zeal may carry him, the advantage is more than counterbalanced by the confusion and disorder which his eccentricities and extravagancies occasion. Let it be remembered, that he is not the best workman who passes over the greatest surface, nor he who looketh on the work of others to the neglect of his own. Every man, and especially every Minister of the Gospel, has his propher sphere of action, nor can his services, however zealously exercised, be so beneficial to Christ's flock, when spread over a too widely extended field, as when chiefly confined within his own allotted sphere of operation. "Let all things be done decently and in order." Let no man put his sickle into his neighbour's corn, nor cross into the furrows of his fellow-labourers in the vineyard; this is not to look forward, but to look back, to distract and tear asunder the members of Christ's Church, and to become unfit for preaching the kingdom of God.

(4.) Lastly, the irresolute and supine Minister, who is indifferent to the duties of his calling, may

B

be regarded as "a looker back ;" and if we are to measure his guilt by the injury which his flock must necessarily sustain, he is not less liable to the awful denunciations in the text, than he who altogether renounces his Ordination Vows. The undisguised apostate withdraws all pretensions to the character of a Christian Teacher, and so becomes rather the enemy of himself than of others, whilst the careless and inefficient Pastor professes but to deceive, and so involves in perplexity and darkness the souls of those whom he has been appointed to succour, help, and comfort.

There are various cogent reasons, my Reverend Brethren, why we should at this crisis be peculiarly circumspect; the eyes of the people never were more pointedly fixed upon their spiritual watchmen than at the present moment, never perhaps was there evinced throughout this Christian land, a greater thirst for religious knowledge, or a more abundant display of outward piety. This exuberance of zeal, however, is not unaccompanied by strong symptoms of increasing infidelity throughout all ranks of society. The Church has to contend, at once, with the malignant attacks of its insidious foes, and the enthusiastic vagaries of its injudicious friends. The guardians of the Church, therefore, must be careful, on the one hand to watch the machinations of the wily infidel, and on the other, they must endeavour, not so much to damp the

ardour of religious zeal, though it be misguided, as to direct its influence aright.

To us, more particularly, is this important trust committed, and we must strive, through divine grace, not less by our example than by precept, to shew ourselves " approved unto God, workmen that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." By a careless demeanour, or open disregard of the positive duties of our holy profession, we shall " give occasion to the enemy to blaspheme," for as human nature is constituted, there will always be found men who would rather discover in the misconduct of their professed guides, an excuse for their favourite vices, than relinquish those vices to tread in the footsteps of Religion and virtue. Thus an awful responsibility hangeth over our heads, and woe be unto us, if we should be found, at the great day of account, to have lightly regarded those important interests committed to our charge. Still, we may plough with persevering industry, and scatter the good seed, provided for us, with unsparing profusion; yet unless it please the Lord of the Harvest to let fall the dew of Heaven on the labour of our hands, in vain shall we look for the desired increase. Let us then with heart and soul humbly implore the divine assistance of God's Holy Spirit in our behalf, without which our best endeavours must inevitably fail; and let us cordially unite with each other in all the

1

amiable offices of Christian benevolence and brotherly love, that those whom we are appointed to teach may learn from our good example to confide in the doctrines, and take comfort in the promises, which we are authorized to set before them. If our pastoral duties are exercised with fidelity and care, doubtless a severe sentence awaits those who take no heed to profit by our spiritual exertions, but if we ourselves should fail, we have to answer, not only for our own souls, but the souls of those committed to our charge.

May God, therefore, in his infinite mercy, grant to all his people" increase of grace to hear meekly his word, and to receive it with pure affection," and to this end, so devoutly to be wished, may He graciously vouchsafe to pour upon the hearts of his "chosen Ministers the continued dew of his blessing," that so, when time shall be no more, we and our respective flocks, with all His Saints departed this life, may meet together in everlasting bliss, as one fold under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

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THE END.

Printed by R. GILBERT, St. John's Square, London.

THE AGENCY OF HUMAN MEANS IN THE

PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL :

A

SERMON,

PREACHED IN

St John's Episcopal Chapel.

EDINBURGH,

ON THURSDAY, MARCH 13. 1828;

IN PRESENCE OF THE

DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIETY

FOR

PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.

BY THE REVEREND

MICHAEL RUSSELL, L. L. D.

EPISCOPAL MINISTER, LEITH.

TO WHICH ARE ANNEXED, A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE SOCIETY, AND

A LIST OF SOME OF ITS BOOKS AND TRACTS.

BIEL

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