The Christian Ministry

By Samuel Davies, Hanover, Virginia, June 5, 1757; at the ordination of the Mr. John Martin, to the ministry of the gospel.
"This is a true saying, if any man desires the office of a bishop—he desires a good work." 1 Timothy 3:1

"If any man desires the office of a bishop." The word here rendered DESIRE is very strong and emphatic; and signifies to catch at—to reach after—to be carried away with eager desires. And this naturally leads me to say something of those inward struggles and perplexities— those eager desires and agonies of zeal, which honest souls generally feel before they enter into the ministry; and by which it pleases God to qualify them for it.

I have now nothing to do with those unhappy creatures, who desire and catch at the sacred office as a post of honour , profit, orease; or, as the last shift for a livelihood, when other expedients have failed. Such deserve to be exposed in severer terms than I am disposed to use; and I cannot but tremble to think what account they will be able to give to the great Bishop of souls, and Judge of the universe.

But, as to those honest souls, who engage in it with proper motives and views, they are generally determined to it with reluctance, and after many hard conflicts. Some of them had the advantage of an early education, with a view to some other employment. But when it pleases God to rouse them out of their security, and bring them under the strong but agreeable constraints of the love of Christ—when their eyes are opened to see the dangerous situation of a slumbering world around them; and their hearts are fired with a loving zeal for the honour of God and Jesus Christ, and the salvation of their perishing fellow-sinners; then they begin to look about, and inquire, in what way they are most likely to promote these important interests. And as the ministry of the gospel appears to them the most promising expedient for this purpose—they devote their whole life, and all their accomplishments, to this humble and despised office, and give up all their other prospects, whatever tempting scenes of riches, grandeur, or ease, might lie open before them.

Others have been put to learning in their childhood by their parents, and by them have been intended for the church, in order to get a living; when neither party had a view to the sacred office from just and honourable motives—but considered it in the same light with other trades. Thus many commence as ministers of the gospel, from the very same principles that others commence as lawyers, physicians, or merchants. But, when it pleases God to awaken the careless youth to a serious sense of true religion, and qualify him in reality for that office, which he presumptuously aimed at from sordid motives, or in complaisance to his parents; then, though the office he chooses is the same—yet the principles and reasons of his choice are very different: now they are sublime, unselfish, and divine.

Others have spent their early days equally thoughtless of God, and of the ministerial office. But when they are brought out of darkness into light, and fired with the love of God, and a benevolent zeal for the salvation of men—then they begin to languish and pine away with generous anxieties, how they may best promote the glory of God, and be of service to the immortal interests of mankind, in the world. And while they are thus perplexed, the agitations of their own thoughts, or perhaps the conversation of a friend, turns their minds to the sacred office.

"Oh that I might have the honour of employing my life, and all that I am and have, in recommending that dear Redeemer, who, I hope, has died for me, and had pity on this once perishing soul of mine. Oh! that it might be my happiness to contribute something towards promoting his cause in the world, and saving souls from death. Oh! if I should be but one soul, I would count it a sufficient reward for all the labours of my whole life!"

These are the noble motives that operate upon such a person to desire the office of a bishop. But alas! a thousand discouragements rise in his way. His being so far advanced in life, his lack of an early education, the difficulty of acquiring acompetency of learning in his circumstances: these appear as insuperable obstructions in his way; and oblige him frequently to give up all hopes of accomplishing his desire. But when he has relinquished the desperate project, his uneasiness returns; his panting desires revive; and he can obtain no rest—until he is at length constrained to make the attempt, in the name of God, and leave the outcome to him. He hopes he shall either have his zealous desires gratified, in building up the church of God; or, at least, that he shall be approved in his generous, though unsuccessful endeavour, and hear it said to him, as it was to David, "You did well—that it was in your heart." 1 Kings 8:18.

But though this group of discouragements may be peculiar to such as devote themselves to the service of the church after that early part of life which is most favourable to a pastoral education, is unhappily lost; yet, there are other discouragements, which all meet with, more or less, who enter into this office with proper views.

They are deeply sensible of the difficulty of a faithful discharge of this office—of its solemn and tremendous consequences, both with regard to themselves, and their hearers—which made even the chief of the apostles to cry out, "and who is sufficient for these things!" 2 Corinthians 2:16. They are deeply sensible of the various opposition they may expect from the world, who love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil, John 3:19. They are sensible especially of their lack of proper abilities to discharge, with honour and success, an office so difficult and so important.

These discouragements, which force them back—and the impulses of a generous zeal, which push them on—often throw them into a ferment, and agitate them with various passions; so that they can enjoy no ease in the thoughts either of prosecuting ordeclining the design.

Now they give it up in discouragement: but immediately they are seized with agonies of zeal, and resolve, in a dependence upon divine strength, to break through all discouragements, and make the attempt, at all hazards. Again, their fears arise, and strike them off from the design. Again, their zeal revives, and impels them to pursue it.

They can find no heart for any other pursuit. Or, if they fly to some other business, like Jonah to Tarshish, to avoid the mission, Providence appears against them, and raises some furious storm, that over-sets all their schemes: until, at length, they are constrained to yield, and surrender themselves to God, to be used by him according to his pleasure.

If they had resolved with Jeremiah, "I will not make mention of him, nor speak in his name," they find like him, that the Word of God is in their heart, as a burning fire shut up in their bones, and they are weary with forbearing, and they cannot stay. Jeremiah 20:9. We find many of the great and godly men of antiquity in such a struggle, when God was about to send them upon a mission for him.

Moses forms a great many excuses—from his own inability: "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" Ex. 3:11; and from the incredulity of those to whom he was sent: "Behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice:" Ex. 4:1; and from his lack of qualifications for the mission: "O my Lord, I am not eloquent: I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue," Ex 5:10. And when all these excuses are removed, "Moses again pleaded, Lord, please! Send someone else" Ex 5:13. As, if he had said, "employ anyone in this mission, rather than me!"

We repeatedly perceive the same reluctance in Jeremiah, "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child!" Jeremiah 1:6. And elsewhere, in a passage that has rather a harsh sound, according to our translation, Jeremiah 20:7; but should be rendered thus: "You have persuaded me, O Lord, and I was persuaded." That is, to undertake the prophetical office; "You are stronger than I, and have prevailed;" prevailed over all my reluctance. "But if I say, 'I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,' his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot." Jeremiah 20:9

So Ezekiel tells us, that when he went to discharge his office, "I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me," and he could not resist the almighty impulse. Ezekiel 3:14.

Thus, you see, with what reluctance those generally engage in the sacred office, who are justly sensible of its importance anddifficulty, and of their own weakness. Men, whose choice is directed by their parents, or proceeds from the love of popular applause—from avarice, or some other low, selfish principle—may rush thoughtlessly into it; and in the presumptuous pride of self-confidence, imagine themselves equal to the undertaking.

But those honest souls, who know what they are going about, and what they themselves are, if they reach after this sacred office, it is with a trembling hand. They do indeed desire it, most ardently desire it—but it is when they are under the sweet constraints of the love of Christ, and the souls of men. This bears them away like a torrent, through all difficulties; and they would willingly hazard their lives in the attempt. But notwithstanding this ardor, their hearts frequently fail, and recoil; and, at such times, nothing but necessity could push them on.

Through such struggles as these, my friends in the gospel, have you entered into that office, which you are now painfully discharging. Your desire after it was indeed ardent and inextinguishable: but oh! what strong reluctance, what hard conflicts have you felt when you compared your own abilities with the work you had to do? And these discouragements have appeared to you perhaps, in so affecting a light, even since you have been invested with your office, that you would most willingly have resigned it. But "necessity is laid upon you; yes, woe unto you—if you preach not the gospel!" 1 Corinthians 9:16. Therefore, in a humble dependence upon divine assistance, you resolve to continue in it, whatever discouragements arise from a sense of your own imperfections, or from the unsuccessfulness of your labours in the world.

And at times you feel that God is with you, as a mighty one; and causes his pleasure to prosper in your hands; and renders your hardest labours—your highest delights. And then, oh then, you would not exchange your pulpit for a throne, nor envy kings—if you may be but ministers of the glorious gospel. Then "you magnify your office," Romans 11:13, and count it a very great grace, that you, who are so little among the saints, should be employed to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. You find, indeed, that the office of a bishop is a good work—good, pleasant, benevolent, divine.

But still it is a WORK. So the apostle calls it in my text, "The office of a bishop a good work." If a man desires the office of a bishop from right principles, he desires—not a secular dignity—not a good wage—not a post of honour or profit—not an easy idlelife—but he desires a work; a good work indeed it is—but still it is a work.

It may properly be called a work, if we consider the DUTIES of the office, which require the utmost assiduity, and some of which are peculiarly painful and laborious. It is the minister's concern, in common with other Christians: to work out his own salvation; to struggle with temptation; to be always in arms to bear down the insurrections of sin in his heart; and to discharge all the ordinary duties of the Christian life—towards God, his neighbour, and himself. This work is as necessary, as important, as difficultto him—as to his hearers. And I appeal to such of you as have ever engaged in it, whether this alone is not extremely difficult and laborious. It is, indeed, noble and delightful; but still it is laborious.

But besides this, there is a great, an arduous and laborious work peculiar to the minister of the gospel, which not only is sufficient to exhaust all his time and abilities—but which requires daily supplies of strength from above to enable him to perform it!

To employ his hours at home, not in idleness, or worldly pursuits—but in study and devotion, that his head and heart may be furnished for the discharge of his office—to preach the Word, instant in season and out of season, with that vigorous exertion, and those agonies of zeal, which exhaust the spirits, and throw the whole frame into such a ferment as hardly any other labour can produce—to visit the sick, and to teach his people in general, and from house to house, in the more social and familiar forms of private instruction—to do all this, not as a trifling thing, or a matter of formality—but with zeal, fidelity, prudence, and incessant application, as the main business of life; deeply solicitous about the important, consequences; to do this with fortitude andperseverance, in spite of all the discouragements of unsuccessfulness and the various forms of opposition that may arise from earth and hell—to abide steady and unshaken under the strong gales of popular applause, and the storms of persecution— to bless, when reviled; to forbear, when persecuted; to entreat, when defamed; to be abased as the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things; (1 Corinthians 4:12, 13,) to give no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed; but in all things to approve himself as the minister of God: (2 Corinthians 6:3, 4;) to preach Christianity outside of the pulpit, by his example as well as in it, by his discourses; and to make his life a constant sermon; this, this, my friends, is the WORK a minister of the gospel!

"And who is sufficient for these things?" Is not this a work that would require the strength of an angel? And yet this work must be done—done habitually, honestly, conscientiously, by us frail mortals who sustain this office; or else we shall be condemned asslothful and wicked servants!

This thought must forever sink our spirits—were it not that Christ is our strength and life. Yes, my dear fellow-labourers, suchweaklings as ourselves may spring up, and lay hold of his strength; and we can do all things through Christ strengthening us. (Phil. 4:13.)

Thus you have experienced in hours of dejection; and unless the Lord had been your help—your souls, before now, would have dwelt in silence. (Psalm 44:17.) Hence, you may see the reason why the Lord has appointed, that they who preach the gospel should live by it: it is because, that time, those abilities, and those labours, which others lay out in providing for themselves and their dependants, must be laid out by them in serving others, by a faithful discharge of their office. If they thus devote themselves to the duties of their function—then it is but just and reasonable that those for whom they labour, should provide for their subsistence while they are serving them.

But if those who style themselves ministers, do not allow their office to restrain them from secular pursuits; if it only employ an hour or two once a week; in short, if, notwithstanding their office, they have the same opportunities with other people, to provide themselves a living—then I see no reason why they should be supported at the public charge—supported at the public charge—to serve themselves! They are a kind of pensioners and drones in society! "The labourer is worthy of his hire;" (Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18,) but the loiterer deserves none!

You see, my brother, what it is you are now to engage in. You have desired the office of a minister of the gospel; and after many struggles and disappointments, the object of your desire appears now within your reach. But remember, it is not a post of honour ,profit, or ease—that you are about to be advanced to; but it is a WORK. You are now entering upon a life of painful labour, fatigue, and mortification. Now you have nothing to do but to work for your Lord and Master: to work, not merely for an hour or two once a week—but every day, in every week, and through your whole life. If you enter into your closet—it must be to pray. If you enter your study—it must be to think what you shall say to recommend your Master, not yourself; and to save the souls who hear you. If you enter into the pulpit—it must be not to "preach yourself—but Christ Jesus the Lord;" (2 Corinthians 4:5,) not to set yourself off as a fine speaker, a great scholar, or a profound reasoner—but to preach Christ crucified—and the humble, unpopular doctrines of Jesus of Galilee; and to beseech men, in his stead, to be reconciled to God; to warn every man, and teach every man, that you may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus! (Col. 1:28.)

If you go into the world, and mingle in conversation, it must be to drop a word for Christ; and let mankind see, that you live, as well as talk—like a Christian. If you travel about from place to place, among needy churches—it must be to diffuse the vital savour of your Master's name, and not your own. If you settle, and undertake a particular charge, it must be to watch for souls, as one who must give account; (Hebrews 13:17,) and industriously to plant and water that spot which is laid out for you in the Lord's vineyard.

Here, my friend, here is your work! And while you survey it, I doubt not but you are ready to renew the exclamation, "Who is sufficient for these things!" (2 Corinthians 2:16.) This work will leave no blanks in your time—but is sufficient to employ it well. It will leave none of your abilities idle—but requires the utmost exertion of every one of them. It is the work of your Sundays, and of your weekdays—the work of your retirement, and your social hours—the work of soul and body—of the head and heart—the work of life and death! It is a laborious, anxious, uninterrupted work. But, blessed be God! it is, after all, a good work.

It is a good work, whether you consider:

for WHOM you work;

WITH whom you work;

and for WHAT you work.

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