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in the world; which is the only end | shall live, together with my dead body that I ever have heard proposed for shall they arise," &c. Isa. xxvi. 19.preaching the gospel. And if preaching "After two days will he revive us; on in the view of promoting this great the third day he will raise us up, and object, is cut off by the literal view of we shall live in his sight." Hos. vi. 2. the Millennium, then it follows, that But this metaphor is followed out at we ought to have no concern in it, nor large in Ezek. xxxvii. 1-15; where the any co-operation with our sister churches whole house of Israel in their afflicted in that work. This is the real conclusion captive state, are represented as dry of the whole matter, and the end for which bones lying in the valley; and their the doctrine of the Millennium has been recovery from that state is held forth by thrust in upon us on this occasion. the process of a resurrection. In this book of the Revelation, the same figure is used. The beast, one of whose heads was wounded, is said to live again, ch. xiii. 3, 14; viz. in the succession of the Antichristian beast. Of the two witnesses, who are represented as killed, and their dead bodies as lying unburied in the street of the great city, it is said, "After three days and an half, the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet." ch. xi. 11. So also the reception of the Jews again into the kingdom of Christ, will be "life from the dead." Rom. xi. 15.

I shall now proceed to state more particularly my own objections to the literal Millennium. And I begin by remarking,

1. That Christ's coming to destroy Antichrist, is clearly distinguished in many particulars, from his coming to raise the dead, and judge the world. The first is described, Rev. xix. 11, &c. 2 Thess. ii. 8. The last is described, Rev. xx. 11-15, 1 Thess. iv. 16, Matt. xxv. 31-46. The one is before the Millennium; the other after it.-The former is a visional representation of him as a warrior, coming forth to battle, Rev. xix.; the latter is his personal appearance as a judge, coming in his glory, sitting on his throne of judgment, with all nations gathered before him, ch. xx. 11, 12, Matt. xxv. 31, 32, 2 Cor. V. 10.-The effects of the first, are the destruction of Antichrist, the binding of Satan, the resurrection and reign of the saints with Christ a thousand years, Rev. xix. 19, &c. ch. xx. 1-7; the effects of the last, are the literal resurrection of the just and unjust, the judgment and final sentence on both, Rev. xx. 11, to the end, John v. 28, 29, Matt. XXV. 31, to the end. But, further,

2. The first resurrection is not a proper, but a metaphorical resurrection. It is not the resurrection of the bodies, but of the (uxas,) souls of the martyrs that is mentioned. The word occurs six times in this book. Sometimes it signifies the life, or living principle, as in ch. viii. 9; sometimes it is distinguished from the body, ch. xviii. 13, and in a state of separation from it, ch. vi. 9; but is nowhere put for the body itself, far less for the dead body, which alone is the subject of a proper resurrection, or of living again. Moreover, a resurrection is a well known prophetical figure for the restoration of a people, church, or cause, from a state of political death, captivity, or depression. Thus it is said, "Thy dead men

3. A literal resurrection of the saints one thousand years before that of the wicked, seems to contradict the plain account given of that matter in the gospels and epistles. Christ says, "The hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation." John v. 28, 29. The hour cannot signify two different periods of more than a thousand years distance from each other; yet in that hour all that are in their graves shall hear his voice.-Not the righteous dead only, for these are not all that are in the graves; nor the wicked dead only, for these have not done good; but in that hour, both they that have done good, and they that have done evil, even all that are in the graves shall come forth; the one unto the resurrection of life, the other unto the resurrection of damnation.

4. Our Lord repeatedly declares, that he will raise up believers at the last day, John vi. 39-45; and he makes this last day to be the day at which mankind shall be judged, ch. xii. 48; and he describes the judgment both of the righteous and wicked, as taking place at the same period, Matt. xxv. 31, &c. Now to affirm, that there will be a day more than a thousand years after the

last day, for the resurrection and judgment of the wicked, not only contradicts this, but is a manifest impropriety of speech.

5. The book of the Revelation itself places the general resurrection and judgment, both of the righteous and wicked, after the one thousand years' reign, and the destruction of Gog and Magog, ch. xx. 11, &c. But to suppose that the saints, after having reigned with Christ one thousand years, in their spiritual, immortal, and glorified bodies, shall be surrounded with enemies in gross earthly bodies, and appear in judgment to receive their final sentence, after having been so long glorified, seems as unnatural as it is unscriptural.

ON

MINISTERIAL QUALIFICATIONS.

As the Lord in wisdom and goodness has established the ministry of the gospel, to promote the best purposes that were ever achieved by the intervention of human means; as these purposes have been effected thereby more or less, ever since its commencement, and, through his blessing, are still accomplishing; its nature must be of the utmost moment to all who have an opportunity of attending to it, but especially to those who profess to be called by him to that work. The man who labours in word and doctrine with diligence and fidelity, will in the eud meet a sure and large reward; but he who intrudes himself into that ministry without scriptural warrant, will at the last day be awfully disappointed. It must, therefore, be of the greatest importance to all who bear that office, to be well satisfied respecting the legiti macy of their call to it; that their

6. We are told, that the last enemy that shall be " destroyed, is death," 1 Cor. xv. 26; and the Revelation declares the same, ch. xx. 14. But if the first resurrection be the destruction of death to the saints, then death is not the last enemy that shall be destroyed; for Gog and Magog will be destroyed one thousand years after the first resur-minds may be at rest on a subject of

rection.

such serious magnitude. If a preacher be in doubt about this, the consequences may be injurious to his personal comfort, and also to his ministry;-it may retard his progress in useful knowledge, and infuse feebleness and timidity into his public exercises. It is desirable to a minister of Christ, to be favoured with success in his work-to see the fruits of his ministry, in the conversion of souls to God, and in building up his church.-These are the objects for which he studies, preaches, and prays. The divine injunction, however, is not, "Be thou useful," but, " Be thou faithful unto death;" and the promise is,

7. The apostle informs us that the end cometh at the resurrection of the righteous;- -"Christ the first fruits; afterwards they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father," 1 Cor. xv. 23, 24. Now if Christ's coming, and raising them that are his, brings the end, then it cannot be at the beginning of the Millennium, for that is more than one thousand years before the end. And if at this coming, he does not also raise and judge the wicked dead, they must be raised and judged after the end comes, and after he has delivered up" I will give thee a crown of life." the kingdom to God, even the Father.

These considerations convince me, that the first resurrection, mentioned Rev. xx. 5, is to be taken in a metaphorical, and not in a literal sense.

[Thus far Mr. M'Lean; but here his manuscript ends. His illustration of the text, Rev. xx. 1-7, has been long before the public, in his excellent treatise on Christ's Commission to his Apostles, page 335-358, to which we gladly refer our readers. And to those who wish to see this subject discussed more fully, we recommend "An Exposition of the Book of Revelation, &c. by the Rev. HENRY GAUNTLETT, Vicar of Olney;" a work of great merit, recently published. 8vo. pp. 530. Edit.]

Though a portion of usefulness, perhaps, always attends the faithful dis charge of the Christian ministry, it is entirely attributable to the blessing of God, and is regulated by his will. "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye have believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?" The Saviour himself thus spake in prophecy;-"I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought and in vain; yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God," His public ministry was not attended with the success that might have been expected, either from the nature of his mission,

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or from the diligence and earnestness with which he discharged that mission; nevertheless it was far from being ineffectual: hence he says, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of my Lord, and my God shall be my strength."-The Father would give him a large reward, to recompense his labours and sufferings. He should see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied.-He should have a portion with the great, and share the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. Thus it will be with all God's faithful servants: little fruit may seem to arise from their labours, but it shall appear at the last, that if the gospel delivered by them, was not, as they desired it should be,-the savour of life unto life unto many souls, that the purposes of God in their ministry were fully answered. It is not always the most faithful, nor perhaps the most laborious minister, that is favoured with the greatest degree of success; divine sovereignty is displayed in this, as well as in other things. None of the ministers of Christ should be discouraged, but go on in their work, humbly relying on him; he will assuredly help them; their strength shall be equal to their day. David had it in his heart to build a house to the name of the Lord; the desire was accepted, though he was not allowed to build it; yet, according to his power, he made preparations that it might the more easily be built by Solomon his son. Thus it should be with ministers; if they are not as useful as they desire, let them cheerfully do what they can, and God will accept it at their hands. They may labour, and other men may enter into their labours; yet in a little time, both they that sow, and they that reap shall rejoice together. Nothing can afford the minister of Christ more delight, than the pleasing anticipation of hearing his Lord and Master say unto him, "Well done good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." But oh, the wretchedness and misery consequent upon unfaithfulness in the work of God! The Saviour will say to some, who have prophesied in his name, and in his name cast out devils, and in his name done many wonderful

works, "I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Every man who calls himself a minister of Christ, should attentively listen to the admonition of Paul the aged addressed to Timothy the younger;"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee."

The intention of this paper, is to state the nature of ministerial qualifications. Your readers must not expect a laboured disquisition on this subject; for, were the writer able to discuss it, which he is not, the limits assigned to an essay in a magazine would not admit of it; all he aims at is, to awaken attention to what appears to him of vast importance, and to beget a spirit of serious self-examination in those who are immediately concerned.

I. It may be remarked, that religion, pure and undefiled religion before God, forms the basis of ministerial qualifications. The man who professes to be a minister of Christ, but who is not himself rooted and grounded in the truth, is awfully inconsistent. He is under sacred and powerful obligation to believe and practise what he preaches. It is not enough for him to have a degree of religion equal to that of other Christians; but as his knowledge is supposed to be greater than theirs, so his religion should be more eminent and lively: the world and the church expect it of him; his opportunities for growing in grace are great, and he ought to grow in proportion to them. He should take special heed to his practical and vital godliness, and be very careful that his studies to prepare for public services do not cause him to neglect the prosperity of religion in his own soul. Let him be fully aware of this danger, and fervently pray that in all things he may be able to approve himself as a minister of Christ." man have not much natural eloquence, his solidity and gravity may atone for it; if he have not strong intellectual powers, perseverance and diligence in the duties of his station may make up this deficiency; but nothing can possibly be a substitute for the want of religion in those who profess to teach it: no human learning can suffice for this purpose. Berridge, speaking of ministers as pens used by Christ, to write his law on the hearts of his peo

If a

ple, says, "It seems they have been trying for many years to make good pens at he Universities; but after all the ingenuity and pains taken, the pens which are made there are good for nothing till God has nibbed them." They never can teach the meaning of that expression,-" Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." To devote a young man to the Christian ministry before he has given full proof of personal religion, is highly presumptuous; yet it is, comparatively speaking, excusable in some of the members of the ecclesiastical establishment, when compared with the same conduct among the different bodies of dissenters. Incalculable mischief has arisen to the world and to the church from an ignorant ministry; but how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. An ignorant unconverted ministry is one of the greatest evils with which a people can be visited; its consequences are of the most alarming kind; it is the fulfilment of a heavy threatening," And there shall be like people like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings." Hosea iv. 9.

The

Inexperienced young men attempting to become preachers of the gospel, remind us of young recruits in the military service, who are vain of their colours while spending their bounty money, but whose courage fails them when they first hear the sound of the trumpet and the alarm of war. Christian ministry is in the highest sense of the word, a warfare; and he is called to acquit himself as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. He has not only to wrestle with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. He ought, therefore, to have a good knowledge of the perfections, purposes, and promises of God; of the person, character, and work of the Saviour; of the doctrines, precepts, and ordinances of the Chris tian religion; of the depravity of human nature; of the necessity of divine influence to renew the mind of man; and of the devices of Satan, who goeth about continually like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He should also have a capacity to apply his knowledge to the service of him. self and his hearers.

III. An ardent attachment to Jesus II. Personal religion is not of itself Christ is an indispensable qualification sufficient. Every minister should be a for the Christian minister. Religion, good man, but every good man is not indeed, always supposes this;-"If any competent to be a minister. The gos- man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, pel ministry is an arduous and difficult let him be anathema maranatha." undertaking; even an apostle, on a While, however, it is included in reli consideration of its difficulties, was led gion in general, a more than ordinary to exclaim, "Who is sufficient for these degree of it is necessary to him who is things?" The man who is prepared for called to engage in services that will it, must be able to endure hardness as greatly try the strength of his affection. a good soldier of Jesus Christ. None When the Saviour repeatedly put the of his trials ought to move him, neither question to Simon Peter, "Lovest thou should he count his life dear unto him- me?" it might not only be to remind self, so that he may finish his course him of the number of times he had with joy, and the ministry which he has denied him, or to draw forth a proof of received of the Lord Jesus, to testify his love to him; this he well underthe gospel of the grace of God. To stood; but to convince both him and shew off for a time by preaching a few all succeeding preachers of the gospel, sermons adorned with the flowers of that love, strong and ardent love to rhetoric, and accompanied with the him, is necessary for that employ graces of oratory, is little, rather Unless there be an affectionate regard nothing, when compared with the for the great and good Shepherd, there steady, constant, and active perseve- will not be a diligent and proper care to rance, necessary to the right discharge feed his lambs-to feed his sheep of the ministerial office. Religion Love to Christ is formed in the soul, should be deeply rooted in the soul of a from a deep conviction of his excellen minister; he must not be a novice, cies and beauty, his perfections and lest being lifted up with pride, he fall glories; especially from a sense of obliinto the condemnation of the devil.gation to him, for having redeemed us

from everlasting misery. Such views |
of Christ's excellencies, and experience
of his love, will have a powerful in-
fluence on the whole conduct of a
minister. It will make him laborious
in every department of duty; will render
idleness an intolerable burden to him;
and afford him pleasure in all things
that are included in the duties of his
office.
It will effectually restrain
him from every thing that is low and
dishonourable, disgraceful and offen-
sive; will animate him with the most
generous and noble disposition; support
him under all the trials of his public
and private life; and give him courage
and fortitude to encounter persecutions
and afflictions for Christ's sake. How-
ever much knowledge of divine things
a man may possess, or what gifts soever
he may have for preaching the gospel,
yet if he have but a small share of love
to Christ, he will perform the duties of
the ministry with but a moderate de-
gree of propriety. He may have a
decent exterior, and pay some attention
to those things which come under the
observation of mankind; but the main
spring of action being weak, it will pro-
duce no regular and certain motion.
Such a man may have a few splendid
actions in his life, shining like a few
stars scattered over the expanse of
heaven in a dark night, which enable
the traveller imperfectly to discern the
objects around him; but the precious-
ness of Christ, the value of souls, and
the great importance of eternal things,
will be imperfectly felt by him: while
a bright and burning love to Christ will
so effectually operate upon the mind,
that the man who possesses it, his life
will resemble the glow of noon-day
splendour. With the love of Christ
will always be connected love to the
souls of men for his sake. What he
has done to redeem them from the con-
sequences of sin, will be a powerful
argument with the minister of Christ
to endeavour to be instrumental in their
salvation.

trations, and historical testimonies.
How much understanding and affection
soever a man may have, if he have no
powers of speech suited to the work of
public teaching, it is impossible he
should be a good minister of Jesus
Christ. There may be men in the
English senate, who understand the
constitution of their country, feel well
affected towards it, and can converse
respecting it with ease and propriety in
the parlour, yet who are of little use in
their capacity, except in giving their
vote. It is the speaking man-the man
of argument, that is likely to have
weight in any important discussion.
So the ministers of Christ should cry
aloud, and spare not; they must lift
up their voice like a trumpet, and shew
his people their transgression, and the
house of Jacob their sins. It is readily
granted, that between the highest and
the lowest degrees of natural eloquence
there is a wide distance; that God can
bless his own word, how imperfectly
soever it is delivered; and that there
have been instances in which his grace
has been displayed by instruments that
some good men would never have com-
mended as ministers of Christ; but
these are exercises of his own prero-
gative, and can form no general rule,
either to individuals or churches.
far as men are concerned, every thing
should be done decently and in order.
As neither gold in the mine, nor water
in the well, can be of any use to us
except we have the means of obtaining
them, so neither can the knowledge of
others do us any good, unless it be
communicated to our minds.

So

There is a great difference between the vociferation and bawling of which some preachers are guilty, and the manly, dignified tone of voice which becomes the pulpit. Young preachers should well consider, that though an aptness to teach must, in some mea sure, be natural, yet that nature may be greatly assisted. They should be apt to learn; every thing must be turned IV. What has been already observed, to the account of their ministry. This will, it is acknowledged, go a consider- is their great work, and ought never to able way in the formation of the cha- be forgotten. Like the bee, they should racter in question; but it is not enough. gather honey from every flower. The There must be an aptness to teach a teacher should be everywhere a learner; readiness to instruct men in the doc- and he that is not prompt to learn, will trines of Christ, with clear explanations, not long continue to be apt to teach. and in the abstruse parts of Revelation, "The preacher should imitate Gainswith cool and deliberate discussions, borough. This artist transferred nature conclusive arguments, pertinent illus-into his landscapes beyond any of his

VOL. VIII.

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