gospel ministers of the present day; and that, in the discharge of the duties of this sacred office, the renewed influences of Divine wisdom and strength should be waited for and experienced. Thus ministers are qualified to speak to the state of their hearers; and to baptize them into the Name [or Power] of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; thereby fulfilling that true commission for gospel ministry, given by our Saviour. Matt. xxviii. 19. The foregoing qualifications correspond with the description, which the apostle Peter gives of prophecy, and which we conceive to be descriptive of the essentials of a gospel minister. "Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."* Thus we see, that both ancient prophecy and gospel ministry came "not of men, nor by man ;" that they required those who exercised them to be holy men of God; such as could say to others, "Walk, as ye have us for an example ;"+ and that, in performing the duties of these offices, they should speak "as they were moved by the Holy Ghost;" or, in other words, as the "Spirit * 2 Peter i. 21. + Phil, iii. 17. gave them utterance."* If ministers are not thus influenced and directed, we may expect the declaration respecting the prophets formerly, who ran and were not sent, to be verified: 66 They shall not profit the people at all."+ Nor should this serious language be forgotten: "Wo unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing."‡ What is said respecting an inward call to the ministry, is by no means peculiar to our religious society. However the doctrine of the influence of the Spirit may be slighted by some, it is in this instance, as well as in its general influence and operation, clearly maintained by the church of England, as appears by the following question put to those who apply to be admitted to the office of deacon: "Do you trust that you are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost, to take upon you this office and ministration," &c. The answer required is, "I trust so." This doctrine is also consistent with the general observation on the priesthood, made by the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews: "No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." The * Acts ii. 4. Jer. xxiii. 32. Ezek. xiii. 3. writings of the apostles abundantly show, not only whence they derived their commission, but also the influence under which they exercised it. Thus the Apostle Paul says: "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth."* From all these considerations, we believe, as is already stated, that it is necessary, in the first call to the ministry, to be " inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost ;" and that, in the various performances of this sacred office, the renewings of this Divine influence and ability, should be waited for and experienced, as the most likely means to fulfil the apostolic exhortation: "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all things may be glorified, through Jesus Christ; to whom be praise and dominion for ever and Amen."+ ever. From our views of this important subject, there arise a few points, in which we materially differ from most other professors of Christianity. * 1 Cor. ii. 13. +1 Pet, iv. 11. 1. In not considering human learning essential to a gospel minister. 2.-In believing that no individual has a right to assume the exclusive exercise of this ministry, in a congregation of Christians; but that all, both male and female, who are rightly moved thereto, may exercise this gift. 3. That this ministry being, if rightly received, received freely, and without any pecuniary expense to qualify for it, it therefore ought to be freely communicated; and no further support expected by ministers, than what is authorized by Christ, and was practised by his apostles. Upon each of these points it seems proper to make a few remarks. On the first very little appears necessary; for if we consider the Holy Scriptures, and particularly the New Testament, as any guide to us in this matter, we shall not only find, that human literature is no where recommended for this office; but likewise, that many of the apostles were illiterate men. It is also clear that the apostle Paul, though a man of learning, disclaimed the influence of it upon his ministry; as appears from various parts of his epistles, particularly from the first and second chapters of the epistle to the Corinthians, of which the first five verses of the second chapter, appear especially worthy of notice: "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God: for I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling: and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."* But although we do not consider human learning as essential to a gospel minister; yet we are so far from disesteeming or slighting its use, that we wish due attention to be paid to it by the members of our society: for we believe that those who have it, and are disposed to make a right use of it, may apply it to the 1 Cor. ii. 1-5. |