PART I. GENERAL VIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. CHAPTER I. THE DIVINE ORIGIN AND INSTITUTION OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. THE Church is the mirror, that reflects the whole effulgence of the Divine character. It is the grand scene of the display of the Divine Perfections.1 The revelations made to the Church-the successive grand events in her history-and, above all-the manifestation of the Divine glory in the Person of the Son of God, furnish even to the heavenly intelligences fresh subjects of adoring contemplation.2 The means also employed in the building of the Church are equally illustrative of the wisdom of their great Author. The exhibition of Divine". strength made perfect in weakness" effectually secures the important end—" that no flesh should glory in his presence." A separate order of men were consecrated to the great work of laying the foundation and raising the superstructure of his Church. Twelve only were included in the original institution, with a commission, bounded at first-within the scanty extent of 1 See Ephes. iii. 10. 2 See 1 Peter i. 12. "Immanuel's land;" but afterwards enlarged with a tender of the promised blessing to "every creature."1 As the work increased upon them, the necessity for a corresponding increase of labourers became apparent. To provide for this exigency, the Divine Mediator had delegated the power of his own commission to his faithful labourers.2-Invested therefore with this authority, they set apart officers for the lower degrees of ministration, they "ordained elders in every Church," (who were acknowledged to be "made overseers over the flock" by the appointment of the Holy Ghost "3) and entrusted the same power of ordination successively to others," according as the matter might require," for the continuance and perpetuity of the holy function. This was evidently agreeable to the purpose of God, who had extended the terms of the special promise "to the ends of the world." 5 Not indeed that in this sacred institution he has transferred to men his own divine right and honour; but he employs them for his work, as a man chooses his own instruments for his own designs. And, as no instrumentality was absolutely needed, his selection of men as the delegates of his commission, and the representatives of his person, must be regarded as an act of favour; exercising both our humility in the habit of submission to men of like infirmities with ourselves, and our love in this cementing bond of reciprocal interest. 6 Thus every step in the way of our salvation hath on it the print of infinite majesty, wisdom, and goodness; and this among the rest, that men, sinful weak men, are made subservient in that great 6 1 Matt. x. 1-6; xxviii. 18-20. Mark xvi. 15. 2 See John xx. 21. 4 2 Tim. ii 2. Titus i. 5. 3 Acts vi. 1-6; xiv. 23; xx. 28. 5 Matt. xxviii. 20. 6 Calvin's Instit. Lib. iv. c. iii. 1. Compare Leighton's Exposition of Isaiah vi. 8. Works Vol. ii. 406, 407, Jerment's edition. |