A SERMON DELIVERED AT THE ORDINATION OF THE > REV. JOHN W. ELLINGWOOD, AT BATH, (ME.) Nov. 4, 1812. REV. JACOB IDE, AT MEDWAY, Nov. 2, 1814. AND REV. WILLIAM EATON, At Fircusocren, Avetst 30, 1815. BY LEONARD wdons, D.D. Abbot Professor of Christian Theology m the Theological Seminary, Andover. —~— SECOND EDITION, — EXETER: « PRINTED FOR JOSIAH RICHARDSON, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH. Samuel T. Moses, printer. t 1823. | Pamphlet Collection Be 4 * Duke Divinity School Be iN HYMN. The Apostle’s commission ; or, the gospel altested by miracles. Mark xvi. 15, &e. Matt. xxviii, 18, &c. 1“ Go, preach my gospel,” saith the Lord ; « Bid the whole earth my grace receive ; : He shall be sav’d that trusts my word ; He shall be damn’d that won’t believe. 2 [Pll make your great commission known, And ye shall prove my gospel true, By all the works that I have done, By al! the wonders ye shall do. 3 Go heal the sick, go raise the dead, Go cast out devils in my. name ; Nor let my prophets be afraid, Though Greeks reproach, and Jews blaspheme. 4 Teach all the nations my commands ; I’m with you till the world shall end ; _ All power is trusted in my hands ; I can destroy, and I defend.” 5 He spake, and light shone round his heads On a bright cloud to heav’n he rode: They to the farthest nations spread The grace of their ascended God. THE IMPORTANCE OF MEEKNESS AND GENTLENESS IN A MIN- ; (4; ISTER OF THE GOSPEL. SERMON. 2 Tr. ii. 24, 25. The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient ; inmeckness instruc- ting those that oppose themselves. I micur easily select a part of the ministerial charac- ter more important in the general estimation, than what is here presented, I might descant on virtues,. which are deemed more sublime, and on duties more splendid, and more attractive of popular applause. But nothing can be named, in which a gospel minister‘ more manifestly bears the resemblance of Christ, than the spirit of meekness and gentleness. As this spirit is to pervade all his affections and all his conduct, it is of extensive and constant utility. But my principal reason for introducing this subject is, that it has been treated less frequently, than most other subjects which pertain to the pastoral office, and as ] have thought, less frequently than its nature demands. — The simple point to which I shall direct your attention in the following discourse, is, the peculiar importance of MEEKNESS and GENTLENESS ina minister of the gospel. In order to illustrate this point, I observe, in the first place, that the spirit of christian meexkness and gentleness a pe hy to qualify a minister for the various duties of ts offic It a to prepare him for the study of the Holy Scriptures. This is suggested by an Apostle; ‘‘ Where- fore lay aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, 4 . and. receive with meekness the ingrafted word.” ‘The — predominance of those sinful passions, which are contrary to meekness, totally disqualifies a minister for reading and meditation. It blinds the eyes of his understanding, gives a wrong bias to his judgment, and exposes him to , every kind of error. What confidence can his people have in the conclusions to which he is ¢onducted, while under the influence of pride, anger, or any disorderly af- fection ? But under the influence of meekness, he is pre- pared for profitable study. He is sensible of the limita- tions of his mind, and the necessity or being taught of the Spirit. He earnestly desires to be guided into the truth, and is ready to submit unreservedly to the infallible word of God. All his prepossessions,—all the results of un~ sanctified reason he is willing to yield, and to believe every revealed truth on the authority of inspiration. With a docile temper, kneeling before God, -he says, “ Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.” His faith receives every doctrine of the Bible, because God, who cannot lie, has declared it: Time spent by a minister. in search of divine truth with such a dispositton, will not be spent in vain. "The God of truth will be his teacher. ‘ The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his, way.” of ED art Meekness and gentleness are absolutely necessary to, prepare a minister to teachthe CHRISTIAN RELIGION and perform other pastoral duties, with propriety, acceptance, and success. The christian religion is a religion of Jove. It breathes peace on earth, and good will to men. A minister, who possesses the virtues recommended in the text, imbibes the spirit of this religion, and 1s prepared to teach its doc: trine and duties with propriety. But how can aman preach the gospel, without a meek and gentle spirit ? With what propriety can he exhort others “ toput on _ bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meek- ness, longsuflering, forbearing one another and forgiving one another,” while it is obvious that, in all these lovely graces, he is wanting? What incongruity, in Gr. Viren upon others to embrace a religion, which inculcates the temper of the /amé, while he himself shows the temper of the tiger? Without a mild, affectionate disposition, ae — 5 whatever else he may possess, he is obviously unqualified for preaching the gospel of peace. There is a total repug- nancy between his office and his character. His disqualt- fication is radical, and cannot be compensated by any lit- erary attainment, by any stock of theological knowledge, nor by any decency or refinement of manners. ' Meekness and gentleness are necessary to a preacher’s acceptance. I mean not to suggest, that the most amia- ble, attractive manner of exhibiting the truth would re- concile the unsanctified heart to it, or cause the offence of the cross to cease. But the preacher, who complies with the apostle’s direction now before us, has nothing offensive in his manner ; and any opposition made against him is excited purely by the holy nature of the truth itself, and not by any thing exceptionable in Aim, as a preacher. He will indeed love the truth, and earnestly contend for it. Nor will he be deterred, by fear of man, or love of popu- larity, from preaching any doctrine or duty taught in the scriptures. He supports the truth by the strongest argu- ments, and exposes the inconsistency and turpitude of er- ror in the clearest manner possible. But in the defence of the truth he is careful never to enlist his angry passions. His tongue is never heard to utter invectives against oth- ers, however they may differ in opinion. Nor is he trans-’ ported to undue severities, either of language or feeling, against those, who Joad him with the greatest reproach- es and injuries. The only methods, which he employs to bring men to the knowledge of the truth, are those which are dictated by reason, by compassion, by gentle- ness. Let a minister preach thus, and his enemies will be at peace with him. At least they will be in the condi- tion of those enemies of the prophet Daniel, who, with all the vigilance of malice and revenge, could find no oc- casion against him, except concerning the law of his God. Meekness and gentleness are peculiarly important to a preacher’s success. ‘*’Vhe wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Acrimonious feelings and expressions are not the instruments, by which the cause of righteousness. is to be promoted. A minister is indeed engaged in a warfare; and he must contend and fight m. order to|his success. But what is the nature of this war- fare 2. What is this contention, but a contention against 6 the disorderly affections cf human nature? Now with what weapons will you carry on such a warfare as this? Is a minister to use anger and violence, to subdue anger and violence in others? Mahometan weapons have in- deed been successful in promoting the Mahometan relig- ion. But have they ever promoted the cause of Curist ?. All the doctrines of the Bible, it is agreed, are to be taught. ‘The question is, in what manmer? ‘Theapostle answers; and in his answer tells us, in the name of God, how we can most successfully preach the gospel. ‘* The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those: that oppose themselves.” A minister, who follows this direction, has the brightest prospect of success. Truth, addressed to men in this manner, is most likely to gain their impartial attention, to satisfy their reason, and to find its way to their hearts. Every one must perceive, that this manner of teaching corresponds with the nature of divine truth. | The incomprehensible greatness and perfect holiness of the subjects of the christian revelation. require, that they should be treated with sacred composure and gentleness of mind. The least mixture of passion is) inadmissible. Will you treat the holy and benevolent God, the condescending and merciful Redeemer, and) the Spirit of all grace, as the worshippers of Baal treated their dead idol? Can you excite Jove by the language of il will? Can vou attract men to a heaven of peace, by displaying a spirit of strife ?—-to a heaven of kindness, by a spirit of virulence 2? Can you successfully inculcate condescension, forgiveness, and compassion, by display- ing pride, revenge, and hardness of heart ? Can we per- suade our hearers to govern their passions, by showing them that we do not govern our own ? nee A minister of the gospel is taught from above. He re-. ceives his doctrine, not from man, but from God. These instructions of God, he ought to receive with a meek and lowly disposition, With the same disposition he ought to teach them, Otherwise it will not appear, that he is. teaching truths, which came from God. For who can suppose, that truths, coming directly from the Most High God, will be received and communicated by his minister. with any other, than a meek and gentle spirit?) Ifan 7 assembly see the christian revelation handled with vioe- lence,—what good can be done? Of what use will it be for them to be made to shake by the tremendous force of the preacher’s voice, while they feel no humble reverence for the holiness and authority of Jehovah? Whatever effect may be produced by a spirit of acrimony and vio- . lence in a preacher, it is not the success which the gospel aims at. ‘The success of a minister consists in conform. ing the hearts and lives of men to the character of Christ, and fitting them for the heavenly inheritance. His use- fulness is to be measured by the degree, in which he promotes true religion. But if he is destitute of meek- ness, what reason is there to expect he will promote reli- gion? He may have burning zeal, and do much seeming- ly for the conversion of sinners. But who will reward us for converting men from stupidity to animusity ?—for rousing them from s/eep to dite and devour? A minister of a rough and violent spirit may build up his church; but the members composing it will, in all probability, be stamped with his likeness. You will see them unkind, wrathful, contentious. Even real Christians, in this case, are formed under such a pernicious influence, that their religion will be wretchedly debased by heterogeneous mixtures. Reposing confidence in their teacher, they consider not only his doctrine, but whatever appears in his disposition and manners, as authorized by his religion. Thus the deformity of theiz character is, in a measure, attributable to the wrong spirit of their minister ; especial- ly if he isa liar, a brawler, a railer, an evil speaker, a tat- ler, a busy body in other men’s matters, or a retailer of other men’s lies or evil speeches, in any of those manners above mentioned ; or if he be in practice of sinful insinu- ations, which are cruel; or if he speak great swelling words, or cankery words, that eat as doth a canker. T have now touched upon a very interesting point. To be useful, a minister must be exemplary. The example of one, who possesses a right temper, is of mighty effica- cy in forming the minds of Christians.. They look to him as a pattern, and receive their particular cast of character from what they see in Aim, His sweet and lovely spirit diffuses itself among the followers of Christ, and promotes loye, joy, and peace. His example makes an impression 8 on all beholders. It manifestly rises above the best at- tainments of human nature. It shows the power of God, and is a distinguished honor to his infinite grace. But a minister has other duties to perform. He must visit from house to house ; and converse with his people in private. He must seek access to them at all times, and administer counsel, reproof, and consolation, as their circumstances require. In the performance of all these duties, the disposition, which I have been recommending, is unspeakably important. It will allure his people to attend to his instructions. As he assumes no airs of haughty superiority, and teaches as though he taught them not; as he governs his own passions, and is always pa- tient and kind; they will freely disclose to him all their difficulties, and, with a candid, teachable temper, ask his. counsel. They will ever be disposed, to acknowledge . their obligations, and to give him higher honor than he claims. ‘The gentleness of his disposition renders even his reproofs acceptable. ‘Think you, that a minister has been © faithful, when he has barely told a man his fault? With what temper has he done it? Ifyou regard his success, this is a question of great importance. Who among hu- man beings can take offence ; whose heart is hard enough not to be affected, when a minister of the gospel goes to him, and, with voice and looks full of tenderness, hons estly tells him what he has done amiss, and announces to him, not the resentment of a man, but the displeasure of God? . A minister, adorned with a meck and quiet spirit, may be extensively useful in composing disagreements and pre- venting strife. This is the man to heal wounds, to calm commotions, and extinguish fires. But what can one of — an opposite temper do? Can wounds be healed with his scourge? Can his blustering quell a rising storm? Will you send a firebrand to put out a flame ? aim ae But do not mistake me. I mean not to exalt meekness at the expense of other virtues. * In fact, it is not at vari- ance with them, and never would have been thought so, — had not the nature of the one or the other been misunder- — stood. Meckness is not only compatible with other vir- tues, but is their support and ornament. On this. Ja- tion rests all true deciston of character. Where meekness . 9 is wanting, you may easily find the stiffness of a bigot; ‘and the surliness of a cynic; but the decision of a man and a Christian you cannot find. © The apostle Paul was distinguished for meekness. He was as gentle, as a tend- er mother towards her children. No man ever had more pliabilty, than he, who became @l/ things to all men. His passions were under such controul, that no reproach or | suffering could ruffle them. And yet, where will you look for such firmness? In Jesus, the Captain of our salva- tion, this combination of virtues was perfect. Meekness and gentleness were diffused through all his words and actions: And yet his firmness was immoveable. é The same consistency appears between meekness and zeal. Meeknéss tempers the ardor of zeal, but never ex- tinguishes it. Nor does meekness in the least diminish the influence of zeal; but, on the contrary, by directing its operations, and preventing its irregularities, gives it the highest possible efficacy, _ Meckness is a powerful aid to ministerial fidelity, Harshness of temper throws a thousand obstacles in a minister’s way. It involves him in endless difficulties. It creates enemies. It exposes him to perpetual war, and ~ arms the very elements against him. From these difficul- ties a minister is preserved by the spirit of meekness and gentleness. - This diminishes the number and hostility of his opposers. It clears his way of obstacles; and rend- ers his duty practicable and easy. No minister is so like: ly to. preach the truths of revelation with persevering fidel- ity, as he who preaches them in the spirit of love and meekness. ‘This will make him bold to declare all the counsel of God and to reprove wickedness, when violent men ate, by want of influence, compelled to a timid si- lence. A minister, who is governed by meekness, and has the quiet possession of his own mind, is unmoved by dangers, at which turbulent spirits tremble. He calmly bears reproaches and encounters trials, by which they are disheartened, and sunk. This leads me, In the second place, to illustrate the importance of. ehristian meekness by its happy effects on a minister’s sit- uation and enjoyments. Although it is sometimes consid- ered a very feeble, inactive virtue ; it does, in fact, impart to a minister who possesses it, the highest degree of en- 2 > 10 ergy, and afford him absolute security against the powe of kis enemies. Let them be ever so numerous, and their wrath and subtilty ever so great ; the victory will, oe hi s. But be it remembered, that his victory is not obtaine worldly weapons. It comes neither by force, nor.| by terror It is the victory of wisdom over folly, of sober rea. des passion, of religion over impiety. This honor belongs to évery minister, who follows the meek and lowly J : By governing his own ‘spirit; by returning good Aaes and bléssing for cursing; by treating his opposers with moderation and kindness, he discovers a. greatness of mind, which often melts or confounds them, and is ‘always noticed with esteem by impartial spectators. Besides this, he obtains a. victory, which the world seldom beholds, bu. which the wise man esteems above all others—vietory over himself. < His warfare is within. ‘There unfatigued, i “His fervent spirit labors. There he fights, fas ioe ‘s «‘ And there obtains fresh triumphs o’er himself, _ oy beg! “ And never withering wreathes, compared to which, « The laurels thata Cesar reaps are weeds.” Sith wer’ ye Meckness preserves a minister from the unhay contention. Whatever others do, he will note ; will not participate in the disturbance of the world around him. He is often like a man, who from his own treat, beholds or hears’ at a distance the tumult of battle. While others are suffering the wretchedness of envying and strife ; he enjoys the pleasure of a serene and peace. ful mind, And he enjoys the additional pleasure betas ing serenity and joy diffused among all around him. © The value of sucha temper it is impossible ig The world is full of disorder; and no man is exposed to see more of it, or to'be more affected by it, than a minis | ter of the gospel. He must have trials. How delig soever his prospect at the beginning, difficulty” lies before him. The day may open with a clear sky ; but dark and stormy clouds will appear before night. If a mimiste faithfully preach the religion of Christ, and live agcord- ingly he must encounter ws dyn in ‘some form or I} ; other. He eannot escape. But amidstéall his troubles, the spirit of meekness enables him to keep peace within. Others are agitated ; but he is composed. Others, stims ulated by the malevolence of their hearts, may load him and his doctrine with ignominy. But fe is gentle and pas tient. The tranquillity of his mind is ruffled by no irreg- ular passion. No resentful or envious thought corrodes his heart. No anger, sullenness, or discontent lies festers ing there. The sweetness and lenity of his disposition forever preserve him from pains and tortures like these, and secure to him an inward. serenity, which no wind or tempest can destroy. My brethren, the earch cannot offer a blessing comparable to this. Finally, consider the importance of the virtue enjomed in my text, as ét is in @ special manner necessary to as- similate ministers to the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. He is their standard. They can aim at no higher point of excellence, than imitation of his charaeter. Fix your eyes then, steadily upon your Lord and Master.— He was meek and lowly in heart. The spirit of the dove pervaded his whole character and life. He indeed exhibited the emotion of enger ; but his anger was under perfect control, and never had the least mixture of bits terness, or revenge.* It was holy displeasure against sin, springing from a pure and benevolent heart. Atten- tively survey his whole conduct. See the lovely meek, ness he showed on every trying occasion. He never ina single instance uttered a harsh expression against any of his opposers; but used calm resoning and friendly ex~- postulation. He employed no violent methods to refute. their false charges; but endeavoured by soft answers to | convince and reform them. When the Jews accused him of blasphemy because he pardoned a paralytic; how gentle and convincing was his reply ! When the Phar-. isees reproached him with undue familiarity with sinners, because he ate and conversed with them ; he reminded. them of the design of his advent, and how much those poor sinners needed his instruction and gr So