SERMON I. CONSIDERATION AND PRAYER. 2 TIM. ii. 7. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. EVERY good and faithful Minister of the Gospel is anxious that his hearers should profit by his ministrations, and be nourished up unto eternal life. To this end, he endeavours that his words may be plain, forcible, and affectionate; and that his life may enforce and comment upon the truths he dispenses. He takes heed unto himself and unto his doctrine, that in so doing, himself may be saved, and those that hear him. In order to the attainment of this important end, it is essential that the word should be understood and applied; and even those ministers, who have sought and found out the most plain and acceptable method of preaching, and those hearers who are privileged with their labours, have need frequently to inquire whether the truths delivered are thoroughly and practically "learned and digested;" for B without this, the word of life cannot be truly profitable, cannot make wise unto salvation, nor produce fruits of holiness tending to perfection in eternal life. "Understandest thou what thou readest ?" said Philip, by divine inspiration, to the thoughtful inquiring eunuch. A greater than Philip, our Lord Jesus Christ himself, the Prince of preachers, after a series of the most plain and striking instructions addressed to his own disciples, who had long been privileged to hear the truth from his sacred lips, said unto them, "Have ye understood all these things?" and the venerable apostle Paul addressing his own dear son in the faith, Timothy, that child of many prayers and of early scriptural instruction and knowledge, exhorts him in the words of our text, to a serious consideration of the important subjects of his epistle; and earnestly and affectionately beseeches that the Lord (the Father of lights from whom cometh every good and perfect gift) would grant him "understanding in all things;" in all things pertaining to life and godliness;-all things that concerned the knowledge and discharge of his duty as a minister;-all things necessary to his being holy and useful and happy here, ready to meet the trials, oppositions, and persecutions that should assail him, with the same steady zeal and fortitude that inspired the venerable apostle himself; and at his Master's call, to finish his course with the same honour and joy. I propose making the following observations on the words I have read. |