a due sense of the worth and importance of their souls; and they rejoice on their own account, as having thereby fresh seals to their ministry, and additional tokens of Divine approbation. Thus, when Barnabas came to Antioch, and saw the grace of God, he was glad-he rejoiced in the work, nor did he envy those who had been the instruments of it; and John the Baptist speaks of the great joy that he had when he himself heard the voice of Christ, and others were made to hear it: "This my joy is fulfilled." One soul converted gives a minister more real pleasure than a thousand encomiums, or the most flattering applause. "We need not letters of commendation," says the apostle; "ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men."

3. When their people act up to their character and adorn their profession. What confirms their hope of them increases their joy concerning them. "Then," " says the apostle, we live when ye stand fast in the Lord;" your stability is our felicity; it is this that animates us in our work, and supports us under all our sufferings. The man who acts conscientiously, keeps his heart with all diligence, and walks circumspectly, is continually adding to his spiritual stature. Such a man, let his outward circumstances or mental abilities be what they may, will be his minister's joy. "I thank my God," says the apostle, in his epistle to Philemon, "making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and all the saints." You may observe, it was the notoriety of these things which gave the apostle so much satisfaction. The faith which he had in Christ he professed; the love which he felt to the saints he manifested, not by good words and wishes only, but in good and benevolent actions.

4. Real converts will be the glory and joy of their ministers in the day of judgment." We are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus." In our usefulness to you in particular, though not in our persons or talents, you have rejoiced, and in this you will

have reason to rejoice to all eternity. And as we are your rejoicing, so ye are ours, and will be especially so at the coming of Christ, when we shall present you to him, and he to the Father, saying, "Behold, I, and the children which thou hast given me!" We shall then rejoice that we have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Then those that sow and those that reap shall rejoice together. The apostle, writing to the Philippians, calls them not only his joy, but his crown; and in the verse before my text, he expresses himself still more strongly: "For what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing; are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" Being won to Christ by his ministry, and kept faithful to the end, he counted them as much his ornament and glory, as a monarch does his crown, or a conqueror the wreath of victory. We may observe also a beautiful gradation in the words-his hope at first conversion, his joy in progressive sanctification, his crown of rejoicing,-when having surmounted all difficulties, and triumphed over all opposition, they should be brought safe to glory. For ministers to see their dear flock in heaven that they have endeavoured to feed, guide, and watch over, will, no doubt, increase their satisfaction, and heighten their felicity. Their affection to them is great now, but it will be much greater then; and in proportion to their affection will be their joy.

In conclusion, think, O sinners, how opposite your character! How often have you sent your ministers weeping to the throne of grace! They tremble to think of appearing as witnesses against you in the great day; and yet, without a saving change, as witnesses against you they must appear. Instead of being their joy, you are their grief; instead of their glory, their disgrace. The devil's instruments can draw you into sin and entice you to hell, but your ministers cannot allure you to God and heaven. "O, that you were wise; that you would consider this, and remember your latter end!" On the other hand, lift up your heads, or

unto God. It is he that has turned your feet out of the paths of sin and destruction, and has made you the glory and joy of your ministers; and that which is a glory and joy to them-your conversion, comfort, and establishment,—will be much more so to yourselves. O, bless the Lord, who has given you council; and as your ministers now rejoice in you, so by your increasing gifts, graces, and usefulness, fulfil this their joy, that it may be increasing in this world, and completed in the next. Their own temptations and corruptions, and the difficulties of their work, sadden their hearts sometimes almost to despondency. Endeavour, then, by your prayers for them, and affectionate conduct, but especially by an upright and holy conversation, to strengthen their hands, encourage their hearts, so that if their pain is not removed in the present life, pleasures may at least be mingled with it.

Not gold, nor gems, nor worlds,
Can with my soul compare;
Then let it all my thoughts engage,
And be my constant care.

Formed for immortal joys,

Or woes that never end,
Yet weak and helpless in itself,
Be thou, my God, its friend.

O wash it from its stains,

From bondage set it free,

And beautified with heavenly grace,
Thy dwelling let it be.

SERMON XXXIX.

MINISTERIAL SUBORDINATION TO CHRIST.

JOHN I. 8.

He was not that light.

JOHN, surnamed the Baptist, because he introduced and administered the ordinance of baptism, was a great and good man, eminently qualified for the arduous and important work to which he was appointed, and faithful in the discharge of it. He was a light, but not that light. The former of these is implied, the latter expressed, in my text. I shall briefly consider each of these positions.

I. He was a light; nay, he was a burning and shining light: the former of which epithets may refer to the zeal and fervour of his spirit, discovered upon many occasions; the latter, to his exemplary life and conversation. Now ministers in general, and especially such ministers as John was, may be called lights on the four following accounts:

1. On account of their situation. "Ye are the lights of the world," says Christ to his disciples; and the following words intimate his meaning to be, that they would be much noticed, neither their virtues nor their vices would be unobserved, as they might have been had they continued in a private station. Thus the apostle speaks of himself and his fellow-labourers in the gospel, as a spectacle to the

curesity, má amers excited by envy, would narrowly wch i mer nocens, some to censure, and others to acciand

2 n account fer epicynent, which is to communicate Lucvedre u mankind: nstruct the ignorant, and open the way of rigthecusness and salvation to those who are wandering in me parts of sin and destruction: “to hold krth the word of." as the apostle expresses it, and teach men their real day and interests: to employ all their abilities, and improve opportunities to promote the welfare of souls. Hence they are compared to candles not put under a bushel, but set on a candlesack, which give light to all that are in the house.

3. On acccent of their conduct in private life: "the light of their example should so shine before men, that others seeing their good works may glorify their Father which is in heaven. Ministers are to take heed to themselves, as well as their ministry, that they may not lessen the force of their exhortations by a remiss and unguarded behaviour, but exemplify in themselves the graces and duties they recommend to others, thus stopping the mouth of calumny, and taking away all occasion of reproach from those that seek it. It should be said of every minister as it was of Ahimaaz-" He is a good man," as well as "bringeth good tidings."

4. Their extensive usefulness. Their commission, like that of the Apostle Paul, is to open blind eyes, and turn sinners from darkness to light. God does it efficaciously, they instrumentally. They are persons by whom we believe; not the objects or authors of our faith, but the helpers of our joy. Conversion is the design of the gospel ministry, and illumination is a necessary part of true conversion; ministers, therefore, especially successful ministers, may with propriety be called lights: and such was the forerunner of Christ. But though he was an extraordinary person, and did much good--a light set up by God, and shining with peculiar lustre ; yet,