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CHARGE VIII.

ON A GOOD EXAMPLE.

Be thou an example of the believers.

CHARGE VIII.

ON A GOOD EXAMPLE.

THE character by which the Clergy ought to be distinguished from other men, is not a spirit of dominion, but a principle of love. "We are not "to be lords over God's heritage, but examples of "the flock, entrusted to our care." It is chiefly in becoming" an example, in word, in conversa❝tion, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity," that we support the high title we have the honour to bear. Christ himself, the great "Shepherd, "and Bishop of our souls, left not the glory which “he had, with the Father, before the world was," in order to receive honour from men. No.! he was to become our example; an example of labour, of sorrow, of meekness, of charity, of suffering. "I have given you," says he, to his disciples," an example." He has left us, in his place, for the very purpose of becoming, as is expressed by the Apostle, "an example of the believers;" that we should do to others, as he hath done to us.

Example is, then, the ground-work of a Clergyman's character; without which, all the duties of our station, however engaging, and eloquent, we

may be, in the performance of some, and attentive, and punctual, in the discharge of all, only create disgust and dissatisfaction,

The pastoral office is, in a great measure, useless; it is not that the efficacy of the Sacraments depends on the virtues of the Minister. The inestimable blessings of God to his Church would be unstable and uncertain, could our weaknesses, either anni. hiliate their efficacy, or suspend their course.

But the piety, the instructions, the prayers of a faithful Pastor, prepare his hearers to receive the blessings of the Gospel, in such a way, as to gain access to their hearts, and thereby, to render them "a people prepared for the Lord;" whereas, a Clergyman, who does not edify the souls, committed to his care, dispenses, indeed, the same treasures, and the same graces; but they fall upon an unprepared soil, upon hearts which his example hath not only indisposed to receive them, but hath also rendered inaccessible to all the influences of grace: "he strews, but he doth not gather;" his Church is a dry, and barren field, which produces only thorns: his congregation approach the holy Table with the same irreverence as they discover in their Pastor, and his instructions both find, and leave, his auditors so prejudiced against his conduct, as to derive no advantage from them. If he is called to visit the sick, or attend the dying, his presence rather exhibits to them this world, than eternity; the love

of the present life, much more than the expectation, and the desire, of that which is to come. What a misfortune to a people whom God hath entrusted to such a Minister! a misfortune, still greater, if that people feel the common calamities with which Providence may have sometimes afflicted them, and are not alive to the greatest and most severe scourge with which he can afflict them; which is, to leave them to be conducted by an unfaithful guide.

And what is still more deplorable, as a Pastor of this character seldom delights in study, and cannot delight in prayer, he must, necessarily, pass his time in company; and the more he lives in society, the less useful he is. For what benefit can mankind receive from his conversation? What do they see, in seeing him? Nothing which can lead them to cultivate the love of God, and inspire a love of piety-nothing which eradicates the passions and prejudices, indulged by those who are not under the influence of religion.

On the other hand, we perceive the inestimable advantage, which a parish derives from the example and conversation of a respectable and godly Minister. Wherever he is, his life, his morals, are a continual lesson of instruction. Abundant is the good we may do, by being faithful to our trust; and dreadful will be the account the Sovereign Pastor will demand of us, should our conduct have been an obstacle to the innumerable blessings await

ing a proper discharge of our duty, and which might have actually been acquired, had an exemplary Pastor filled our place. Let us often dwell on this awful and humiliating reflection:-Had a worthy Clergyman been at the head of the flock over which I preside, and in the midst of whom my ministry has produced no change for the better,-what sins might he not have prevented?—what inveterate wounds might he not have healed?—what a renewal of piety throughout his parish?-what a number of souls might he have reclaimed, from the error of their ways?—how many, ready to fall, might he not have preserved ?-how many might he have rescued from the prince of darkness, and have presented them, washed from all their sins, in the blood of the Lamb, at the throne of God?

But with what consternation will an useless Pastor then appear, whose example, far from having edified those for whom Christ died, tended to corrupt their ways, to darken their understandings, and to` harden their hearts? How will he appear, in the presence of an assembled world, before the Supreme Judge, invested with an holy character, which will only encrease his condemnation? The souls with which he will be surrounded, will be those, who, having been committed to his care, were confirmed in error, by his example; souls, who will represent to their Judge, that had he in his mercy, sent them a priest "after his own heart," a Pastor, who would have been their guide, and

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