WE are furnished with abundant evidence—from history, observation, and experience—that there is no surer way of incurring the displeasure, and of exciting the malignant opposition of men governed by merely worldly principles (conforming, perhaps, to the external part of religion, but altogether strangers to its purifying and self-denying spirit), than by faithfully and zealously maintaining the supreme authority of God’s unmixed and searching truth, and by insisting, both by precept and example, on unreserved and continued obedience to God’s law, as holy, just, and good.
The omniscient Jehovah, who knows the true character of His beloved people, however aspersed and misrepresented, testified respecting the afflicted Church in Smyrna, that, though poor in their own estimation and in that of the world, they were rich in His—that, though reproached and persecuted, they were safe under His protection—that, though cast into prison, there should even then be no ground for despondency; but, on the contrary, that by continuing faithful unto death, they should receive from the righteous Judge a crown of life.
True religion being the same in substance in every age of the world, we may expect to find a strong resemblance in all the devoted servants of God, however distant the periods at which they make their appearance. A conformity of state may also be expected, as well as a similarity of character. They have the same end in view. They journey as strangers and pilgrims in the same path Zionwards—are influenced by the same spiritual and exalted motives—are resting their salvation on the same righteousness—are supported and animated by the same doctrines, promises, and prospects—all governed by the same King, and ruled by the same holy law; and, therefore, must calculate on meeting with determined resistance from the same spiritual enemies. Hence the danger of apostasy (final apostasy, indeed, is out of the question with regard to the genuine believer), and hence the solemn exhortation to continue steadfast, and the encouraging promise of a crown of life to all who continue faithful unto death. So infinitely important is the service of God, that nothing can ever justify our withdrawing ourselves from it, or relaxing our diligence in the discharge of our proper office. However innocent any earthly employment may be regarded, however becoming and necessary in its own place, it must give way when conflicting with our duty to our Lord.
The many instances of cowardly compromise of scriptural principles, for the sake of obtaining and securing what is called peace, which may be presented to us—the sneer and scorn of the infidel—the lukewarmness and indifference of the mere nominal professor respecting the essentials of Christianity—the hostility of the worshippers of secular power, and the slothfulness of our own hearts, are temptations to backslide too strong to be successfully combated, but by the grace of God. But the believer, through Christ strengthening him, is able to overcome every opposition—yea, to be more than a conqueror.
I. Let us, in a general way, and very briefly, notice a few things regarding the nature and character of ministerial fidelity.
1. A faithful minister must declare all revealed truths, without any exception; in other words, the whole counsel of God.
It is probable that many more are chargeable with concealing truth, than affirming direct falsehood—with not building the house, than wilfully pulling it down—with neglecting duty, than committing crime. “Woe be to the shepherds of Israel,” saith the Lord, “that do feed themselves; and should not the shepherds feed the flock? The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick; neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.”
There is an unspeakable preciousness in every truth that has the impress of divine authority upon it; and, therefore, to neglect any revealed truth argues a contempt of the wisdom of the Spirit of Inspiration. The Scriptures are perfect and faultless, containing all that is necessary to salvation. How dreadful is the sin, and how awful the responsibility, of that minister who solemnly promised to God and man to declare the whole counsel of God, and yet satisfies himself with insisting on those things which are most agreeable to his own views, taste, and disposition, or which he knows may be more acceptable to his hearers! He who truly understands the Scriptures, perceives that there is such an inseparable connection between one truth and another, that he can hardly admit or reject one without admitting or rejecting the whole, and that none of them can be withdrawn or concealed, without manifest injury to the beauty and fulness of the general system.
Not a few have the hardihood to avow, that prudence suggests the propriety of concealing some of the more mysterious doctrines of God’s Word; and, in consequence, His sovereignty, His eternal electing purpose, the absolute freeness of His grace in the justification of sinners, and the necessity of the influences of the Spirit, in beginning, carrying on, and perfecting the work of sanctification, are passed over under this sinful pretence. The assumed wisdom of such persons is sinful arrogance and impiety. There is, indeed, no truth but may be abused by perverse and corrupt minds; but is this a reason for concealing it? No; the faithful minister must preach all truths fully and openly, whilst he endeavours to guard against their abuse, and let sinners know that if they wrest the Word of God, they do it to their own destruction.
2. A faithful minister must give their own place and prominence to the more important and fundamental doctrines of the Gospel.
Even in a cursory perusal of the Scriptures, we shall find certain leading truths continually referred to—such as the sinful, polluted, helpless, and lost state of mankind by nature; the absolute necessity of salvation, through the finished righteousness of Christ; the obedience and atoning suffering of the Saviour, as the substitute of sinners; the necessity of regeneration and of holiness, as preparation for heaven; and of the gift of the Holy Ghost, to quicken, enlighten, sanctify, and comfort his people.
These truths are of such infinite moment, that they must be clearly and plainly unfolded, and often repeated and inculcated. They are the distinguishing glory of Protestant Churches, and have been sealed by the blood of thousands of suffering martyrs. The Christian minister must speak of these great and influential doctrines in such a manner as to convince his hearers that he not only is assured of their reality, but that he feels their importance as regards his own soul. What poison to the souls of men, for any to address them as if speaking to Adam before he violated the divine law, and incurred its tremendous curse and condemnation—to lull sinners asleep in indifference and self-deceiving security, whom they should endeavour to alarm with the solemn peals of the terrors of the Lord, that they might be induced to flee for refuge from the wrath to come! What betraying of their trust, to entertain perishing sinners—many of whom, perhaps, are wounded in spirit and hungering after the bread of life, or tottering on the brink of the pit of despair—with mere moral essays, and ingenious speculations, after the manner of a heathen philosopher, when, on the one hand, they should be insisting on the necessity of faith, repentance, and holiness—the danger of delaying to embrace cordially the Gospel message; or, on the other hand, pouring the oil of divine consolation into the bleeding heart of the mourner in Zion, and leading the awakened and anxious inquirer to the cross of Christ! On the whole, while no truth or duty will be overlooked by a faithful minister, he will feel it his peculiar duty, as well as his joy and pleasure, to stand in the centre of his plan—Christ, and Him crucified; and the more frequently he contemplates the Cross, in which all the lines of divine truth are united, the more distinctly will he perceive them, and the better will he be able to judge at what time and place to introduce them. Paul says, “I determined to know nothing among you, but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” He “was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ;” for he had personal experience that it was both “the wisdom and power of God unto salvation.” What is the Bible without Christ?—a description of a building without a foundation—promises and prophecies, but all unfulfilled! In it are priests, but where is the sacrifice?—a temple, but where is the altar? Thus Christ is all and all.
3. Fidelity in a Christian minister requires the preaching of the truth, with a special reference to the known character and peculiar circumstances of the persons addressed.
It is his duty to adapt his instructions to the more urgent necessities of his hearers; not to foster their prejudices—but, with prudence and kindness to correct them; not to wink with an indulgent eye at their prevailing follies and vices, because they are fashionable, or sanctioned by the practice of the rich, or the learned—but with Christian boldness, and if necessary, with severity, to reprove them. What an admirable example have we of fidelity, zeal, and skill, in the Apostle Paul’s discourse to Felix! We are informed, that he took occasion, when the opportunity was afforded him, to reason of righteousness, temperance, and judgment. How suitable to the state and character of the profligate and cruel governor, Felix!—how well-timed the reproof to Drusilla, who was then living with him in adultery! If any of the truths of the Gospel are in danger of being neglected, if they are undermined by secret, or assaulted by open, enemies, then it is the bounden duty of the faithful minister to mention and illustrate them frequently. If any clearly revealed duty (family worship, and the observance of the Sabbath, for instance) is falling into disrepute, if its observance is regarded as hypocrisy or fanaticism, then the messenger of God must stand forth its advocate, and fearlessly and pointedly denounce the guilty. If any particular sin or sins prevail in a family or place, the servant of God must beware of yielding to the stream of opinion or influence—seeking his own peace by cowardly silence. If the privileges conferred by Christ on His people are assailed, or the absolute authority of Christ in the Church, which He purchased with His blood, be denied, then the servant of God has no alternative, but, at whatever sacrifice of feeling and comfort, most resolutely and vigorously to oppose and condemn the sinful outrage. If, in family visitation, or private and personal admonitions, he has not a particular view to character and circumstances, so far as known, however excellent and important his instructions may be in other respects, they will prove comparatively ineffectual, from their unsuitableness. Actuated by a desire of usefulness, he will recommend liberality and humility to the rich—patience, resignation, and industry to the poor—to parents, assiduity in teaching and government—to children, obedience, filial love, and the fear of the Lord—to servants, integrity and faithfulness in their work. He will thus give, in the language of the Holy Ghost, “to every one his portion of meat in due season.”
4. The faithful minister must deliver God’s message fearlessly, neither fearing the displeasure of the ungodly, nor feeling anxious to secure their approbation and favour.
There are few temptations more ensnaring than the fear of man. Such is the malignity of the wicked against the good, that the honest and bold champion of the Gospel is exposed to injury from them in his name, his substance, and even his person. It is remarkable, that, in the prayers recorded in Scripture, as offered by the apostles for divine assistance, this circumstance is almost never forgotten—“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants, that, with all boldness, they may speak the truth.” The ambassadors of the King of kings ought not to be dismayed by the most mighty of their fellow-sinners, when they remember the continual presence of Him before whom “mean men are vanity, and great men a lie.” Not only must faithful warning be addressed to those exalted in station; but when it is necessary, they must be debarred, like the lowest in rank, from the seals of the covenant, lest they at once profane God’s ordinance and ruin their own souls. He must exhibit proof before all that he does not give any countenance to the dangerous and soul-murdering delusion, that God expects less religion from the rich than the poor. He must declare that the impenitent, unbelieving, and unholy among the rich and the poor shall be driven, with fiery indignation and irresistible violence, from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of His power.
5. The faithful minister must endeavour, through the grace of God, to illustrate his instructions by a suitable Christian temper and conduct.
What can be conceived more despicable, more dishonourable to God and injurious to the interests of undefiled religion, than that a person professing himself a Christian—a candidate for glory—a leader of others to self-denial—to spiritual intercourse with heaven—who solemnly promised to be an example, through grace, to his people—should yet be living according to the course of this world—if not in habitual profligacy—if not in chambering and wantonness, yet placing his delight in the society of scorners, in the place of public amusement, and in the company of the profane and irreligious! They who minister in holy things are looked up to as examples, and their conduct is pleaded both as a precedent and as a justification of those who follow it. “Can such men be deceived? Can they who have entered the service of the sanctuary, and have solemnly undertaken to guide us in the way of salvation, can they be wrong? Can they be blind who are leaders of the blind? If, then, they who, from their education, their office, and profession, ought to understand the Scriptures better than we—if they do not approve, in their ordinary practice and conversation, the things which appear to be contained in them, doubtless they have good private reasons for their conduct; they would not surely proceed in a way which they knew to be wrong!” How dreadful is the responsibility of a minister thus placing a stumbling-block in the way of his flock!—how aggravated his guilt, and how inevitable and terrible (if sovereign grace do not prevent) must be his condemnation!
Many other features of ministerial fidelity might be adverted to, but we conclude our observations on this part of the subject with stating, that “Christ crucified” must be the sum and substance, the alpha and omega, of a faithful minister’s discourses—Christ, in His official and personal character, in the abundance of His purchase, the freeness of His grace, the unchangeableness of His love, and the absolute sovereignty and perpetuity of His reign.
II. Let us advert to some of the difficulties and temptations connected with ministerial fidelity.
1. Though the Gospel be the most benevolent system that ever appeared in the world, and though its teachers endeavour to unite the tenderness of love with fidelity, yet how frequently is truth misapprehended, and its advocates opposed and maligned!
In illustrating doctrines and Christian experience, the anxious and sincere inquirer may be perplexed and bewildered; and the profane treat vital religion with ridicule. In describing character, the humble believer may reject the consolation applicable to his state; and hypocrites abuse the promises. In addressing conscience, the righteous may be discouraged, and the profane irritated against truth and their own interest. In maintaining discipline, the good may be jealous of a conniving partiality, and delinquents consider themselves tyrannically treated. Oppressed with many such disheartening circumstances, well may the faithful exclaim, with a heavy heart, “Who is sufficient for these things?”
2. Nor is candour often the medium through which his motives and actions are represented.
The faithful discharge of duty is styled harshness; his open reproof of sin, malevolent imprudence; his firmness, obstinacy; his occasional reserve, haughtiness; his holy walk, moroseness; his frankness, levity; his favourable notice of some is ascribed to undue partiality. Hence, should the minister escape the censure of the believer (which is not always the case), is not his life often embittered by the calumnies of wicked men?
3. Want of success in winning souls to Christ is peculiarly discouraging to a faithful minister.
In the bitterness of his soul he pours out the feelings of his heart in a strain such as follows:—”Am I a child of God, by faith in Christ? Has mine eye been single in assuming this office? Do I devote myself wholly to the duties of my trust? Do I ardently love souls? Is the coming of Christ’s kingdom my desire and prayer? Do I rely on the influences of the Spirit for effectually blessing my poor attempts to serve God? If so, how then is the heaven over my head as brass, and the earth that is under me iron! Oh! ‘who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?'”
4. The outward and active opposition of enemies is another temptation to unfaithfulness.
Time-serving, or neutrality as to the interests of religion, is commendable in none, but in a minister, is unpardonable. He must bear testimony openly and resolutely against wickedness; and reproof, when administered with the dignity and severity becoming God’s ambassador, is certain of making either a friend or an enemy. A faithful minister cannot suffer Satan’s kingdom to be at peace, and therefore it is no wonder, when the wicked are gnawing their tongues with pain, that they should pour out their venom against him who gives them so much disturbance. No small measure of fortitude and of dependence on divine grace is needed to persevere in the discharge of duty, notwithstanding the obstinacy, derision, and obloquy of the ungodly; and to seek our comfort from the approbation of Him who judgeth righteously. At the same time, we must say, that the friendship of the ungodly is much more dangerous than their enmity; for the first brings with it the danger of seduction and backsliding, whilst the last only exposes to suffering. The friendship of the world is enmity with God. “All who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Oh! how cheering to those suffering for righteousness’ sake, to hear the Redeemer say, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” I will never leave nor forsake you. “I, even I, am He that comforteth you. Who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a man, that shall die, and of the son of man, which shall be made as grass, and forgettest the Lord thy Maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day, because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy?”
5. Permit me further to observe, that Christ’s servants must not continue diligent and faithful merely for a season, but that, from a regard to the glory of God, from compassion and love to precious and immortal souls, and from a solemn conviction of their responsibility to the Head of the Church, as stewards in His house, they must persevere unto death in the conscientious discharge of all the duties of their office, through good and bad report, in adversity and prosperity, and amidst the frowns and favour of the world.
Jesus was despised and rejected of men—was subjected, like His prophets and martyrs, to hatred, contempt, and suffering; yet He did not discontinue to preach the Gospel to the poor, to reprove the wicked, unveil the hypocrisy of the Pharisee, to exhort and comfort, as opportunities occurred, until He expired on the cross. All the faithful ministers of Christ must endeavour to follow Him as their pattern and example in this, as in other respects. Though Shimei should curse—though Ishmael should mock—though Herod should threaten, and stretch forth the cruel arm of persecution—yet they must, through the promised grace of God, follow the prescribed course of duty, be steadfast in the work of the Lord, and endure, as seeing Him who is invisible, and comfort themselves with the promise of the recompense of reward. God alone can discharge them from their warfare; death alone terminates ministerial fidelity.
6. This leads me to observe, in the last place, that the Lord, for the present comfort and encouragement of His servants, has been graciously pleased to promise, that when they have fought the good fight, and finished their course, He will bestow upon them a crown of life.
A crown is the highest of earthly dignities, and implies every thing that can gratify the ambition or desires of a carnal mind; but it is a crown of life that is here promised; not a temporary, fading diadem, but glory, honour, and immortality—the everlasting enjoyment of the presence and love of the glorious Trinity. At death, all their tears for perishing sinners have been shed. Now, all their warning and entreaty to the hardened, unconverted, and impenitent, have ceased; now, their sorrows have ended—no more struggling with inward corruption—no more assailed by outward violence; now, their labours have come to a close, and their works follow them—now the Judge, their beloved Master whom they served, presents them to His Father, arrayed in His own spotless righteousness, and made perfect in holiness—who, with infinite condescension and love, accepts their persons, acknowledges their services, bestows on them the promised crown and expected inheritance. Surely, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered the heart of man to conceive, what God hath prepared for those who love Him.
The fulness of the divine benignity, of which we have now access to taste only some smaller and more distant streams, shall then be the everlasting portion of the soul. “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. viii. 18). Will any think, when he hears his Redeemer welcome him to his everlasting rest, and saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” that he has endured and laboured too much for his divine Master; or then regret that he did not purchase temporary peace and applause by sacrificing duty and conscience in his Master’s work?
The man who now goeth forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. He anxiously prayed, and looked, and longed for seals of his ministry, but perhaps in vain; but now he beholds some justified, sanctified, and glorified, who were led, through his feeble instrumentality, though concealed from him, to repentance and salvation—and it sufficeth.
But, hark! the last trumpet awakes the hireling shepherd, who shunned to declare the whole counsel of God to his neglected and ruined flock. He approaches the great white throne, to render his account: presenting his doctrine and example, with his flock standing in the lamentable effects produced on them by both—he is proved unfaithful, and they convicted of impenitence and unbelief. With what an indignant frown shall the incensed and righteous Judge dismiss from the bar such a watchman, and the unholy of his flock! What shall be their mutual dispositions and execrations entering hell, the abode of the enemies of God, and sustaining endless woe, is not the province of finite being either adequately to conceive or describe. Let the servants of Christ seriously consider the words of the Lord, as declared by Ezekiel: “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and if the people be not warned; if the sword come and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.”
- This paper is reprinted from The Christian Miscellany (1842). Mr. Noble was a native of the parish of Killearnan and was ordained at Lybster, Caithness, in 1839. He was afterwards minister of the Gaelic Church, Edinburgh, and Free Church minister at Poolewe. He died in 1864. We have heard some of the older people in Caithness who are now, we believe in glory, speak of him with the profoundest respect.—Editor.