Wesley Corpus

* This quotation from Terence is thus translated by Colman : “Love in its last degree.”--EDIT. an example of all holy and heavenly tempers, filling the heart so as to shine through the life? Consequently, is not his whole life, if he walks worthy of his calling, one incessant labour of love; one continued tract of praising God, and helping man; one series of thankfulness and beneficence? Is he not always humble, always serious, though rejoicing evermore; mild, gentle, patient, abstinent? May you not resemble him to a guardian angel, ministering to those “who shall be hears of salvation?” Is he not one sent forth from God, to stand between God and man, to guard and assist the poor, helpless children of men, to supply them both with light and strength, to guide them through a thousand known and unknown dan gers, till at the appointed time he returns, with those committed to his charge, to his and their Father who is in heaven? O who is able to describe such a messenger of God, faith fully executing his high office ! working together with God, with the great Author both of the old and of the new creation | See his Lord, the eternal Son of God, going forth on that work of omnipotence, and creating heaven and earth by the breath of his mouth ! See the servant whom he delighteth to honour, fulfilling the counsel of his will, and in his name speaking the word whereby is raised a new spiritual creation. Empowered by him, he says to the dark, unformed void of nature, “Let there be light;” “ and there is light. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” He is continually employed, in what the angels of God have not the honour to do,-co-operating with the Redeemer of men in “bringing many children to glory.” Such is a true Minister of Christ; and such, beyond all possibility of dispute, ought both you and I to be. II. But are we such 7 What are we in the respects above named ? It is a melancholy but necessary consideration. It is true, many have wrote upon this subject; and some of them admirably well: Yet few, if any, at least in our nation, have carried their inquiry through all these particulars.