and the dissipated, Pastor, as to keep them separated from each other, by an, almost, infinite distance; because it appears to me, that the only preservative for the one, is the company of the other; and that it is essential to facilitate and promote such beneficial intercourse, to the end that your examples may become diffusively useful, by directing the judgment of the careless, and regu lating the morals of the dissipated. CHARGE VI. ON SOLICITUDE FOR THE SALVATION Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not? CHARGE VI. ON SOLICITUDE FOR THE SALVATION THE subject on which I shall this day expatiate, is the portion of zeal every Minister of the Gospel ought to feel for the salvation of the souls committed to his charge: and the sentiments with which his paternal bowels ought to yearn over their offences. He, who observes, without concern, the irregularities of his flock; who is content with not giving his approbation to the vices he perceives; who does not lament the loss of the souls entrusted to him:-a Pastor of this character is dead to the high sense of his calling. Zeal for the salvation of men, is, then, the first duty of a Christian Minister: this is the principle which should inspire him with resolution, and supply him with comfort, in the discharge of the most laborious duties; which should be, as it were, the soul, and the chief consolation, of his ministry. In vain do we trust to irreproachable conduct : it is not sufficient that we lead a regular and blameless life: if, with the outward appearance of virtue, we are not penetrated with a lively sorrow, when we observe those, for whom we must one day give account, running hastily to destruction; if we do not insist upon the motives, and urge the exhorta M tions with which the Gospel furnishes us, to entice them from the paths of folly, and the ways of sin; if we do not, "in season, and out of season, reprove, exhort, entreat;" if, content with not doing wrong ourselves, we think our duty discharged, by tacitly disapproving, or gently, condemning, offences against God, and crimes against society, we are not Pastors of the flock; our inactive and lethargic virtue, will be an abomination in the sight of God. Let us not deceive ourselves; regularity of conduct, in a Minister of the Gospel, does not, as some seem to think, sanction indolence; because his people lose the effect of that zeal, which his example would more strongly have enforced besides, however irreproachable his demeanor he has no more than the appearance of piety; he is, in the sight of God, "dead whilst he "liveth :" his regularity of life. lulls him into a state of dangerous security; but a piercing sound, and the clamours of the souls of those, who, through his means, have perished, will, one day, awaken him from his languor, will find him with horror, and overwhelm him with dread; he quiets his mind, because he compares the regularity by which he is distinguished, with the dissipation for which some of his brethren may be notorious; but he will see, that his righteousness, was only the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees. How! my brethren, could a Minister of Christ, sent to do his work upon earth, to hasten the building of the heavenly city, and the happiness of the Saints, observe the kingdom of Satan prevail over the empire of his Master, in that part of the people committed to his charge, and continue unmoved in his mind, and inactive in his functions? But, although vice should not be prevalent in his parish, were he a witness of it in other men, and there remained in his heart one spark of love for his Redeemer, he could not but mourn in secret; he could not but address himself to God, in anguish of spirit, that he would, in his mercy, impress all unthinking mortals with the bitterness of remorse, and a resolution of amendment: nay, ought he not to exercise the authority, with which the dignity of the Priesthood invests him, to endeavour to inspire those who have forsaken the law of the Lord, with just sentiments of Religion? And would not such a Minister betray his ministerial trust, should a criminal insensibility, or a timid prudence, suppress his feelings, and close his mouth? Could such an one believe himself innocent? But, if observing the same profligacy in his own parish, he should appear equally insensible, would his regularity of conduct dispel his apprehensions, and calm his mind? Can a shepherd see his flock falling into a pit, without running to them, and at least making them hear his voice? for, should only one stray from the fold, it is his proper business, and his incumbent duty, to traverse the mountains, and undergo the greatest hardships, that he may recover it, and bring it back.-No! Such an one is not a shepherd, he is an hireling; he is not a Minister of Jesus Christ, he usurps the |