FOR THE USE OF THE CLERGY.

DEVOTIONS OF THE CLERGY;

consisting of passages of Scripture relating to the duties of the ministerial functions, and exciting and disposing to a conscientious attendance thereon;-and of prayers suited to the particular exigencies of those who have the care of souls.

The duties of the Clergy, as set forth in the Holy Scriptures,-are

1. to have the heart affected with an ardent love of Christ, and a zealous concern for the salvation of souls.

WHEN they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these? He saith unto Him, yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, feed My lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? He saith unto Him, yea,

Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, feed My sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? Peter was grieved because He said unto him the third time, lovest thou me? And he said unto Him, Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee. Jesus saith unto him, feed My sheep ".

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with alllong-suffering and doctrine".

But though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily, that when I preach the Gospel, I may make the Gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the Gospel. For though I be free from all men; yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews: to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that

a John xxi. 15-17.

b 2 Tim. iv. 2.

are without law, as without law (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak, became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save And this I do for the Gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto youd:

some.

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, Which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know; nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness".

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you not the Gospel of God only, but also our own souls because ye were dear unto us'.

Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe. As ye know

how we exhorted and comforted and charged

1 Cor. ix. 16-23.

d

1 Thess. ii. 1.

Ibid. ver. 3-5.

f Ibid. ver. 8.

every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, Who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory ".

Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you":

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved'.

2. to apply seriously and constantly to the study of the holy Scriptures; and to teach nothing, as required of necessity to eternal salvation, but what may be concluded and proved by them.

I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech 'or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the faith should

Spirit and of power: That

* 1 Thess. ii. 10-12.

your

2 Cor. xii. 14.

Ibid. ver. 15.

not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase':

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one and every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour: For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest. For the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire".

Now

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, know

k

* 1 Cor. ii. 1-5.

1 1 Cor. iii. 6.

m Ibid. ver. 8-15.