For we know, that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were diffolved, we have a building of God, an houfe not made For we know that if the earthly house of this tabernacle were diffolved, we have a building of God, an houfe not made For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become Page SERMON XXI. I. JOHN, ii. 15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world: If any man " love the world, the love of the Father is not in him, 369 SERMON I. I. CORINTHIANS, iv. I, 2. Let a man fo account of us as of the minifters of Chrift, and ftewards of the myfteries of God. Moreover, it is required in Stewards that a man be found faithful. HE juft conception and faithful dif TH charge of the reciprocal duties in fociety are the foundation both of private and public happiness. In this respect the church of Chrift is not different from other communities among men. Although Chriftians acknowledge but one fupreme Mafter, yet they are taught to acknowledge among themselves fubordinate degrees of authority on the one hand, and of fubmiffion and respect on the other. The God whom we ferve is a God of order, not a God of confufion; and he hath pointed out, both in his word and in his providence, the neceffity of doing all things VOL. IV. decently A * decently and in good order. The text, and the occafion likewife, lead me to speak of the mutual regards and duties which ought to fubfift between a minifter of Chrift, and the people committed to his charge: In doing which I fhall, through divine affiftance, ft, Explain the account given us in the text, of the nature of our office as minifters of Chrift, and ftewards of the mysteries of God. And, 2dly, Point out the correfponding obligations incumbent on Chriftians, with regard to thofe intrufted with this miniftry. The illuftration of thefe particulars will tend to produce a juft conception, and I trust, through the bleffing of God, the faithful difcharge of thofe important duties which you and I will henceforth owe to each other. I am, firft, to explain the account given in the text, of the nature of our office as mini fters *Preached at the Author's admiffion at South Leith. |