1 Thessalonians 5:12

In these words have we declared both the minister's office and the people's duty; the minister's office, with respect unto his people, and the people's duty both towards their ministers, and one towards another. The ministerial office and function is here described, and consists of three parts, publicly to labour, privately to admonish, ministerially to rule.

To labour in the word and doctrine, the word signifies. labour unto weariness. Our work is the most weighty work, and, blessed be God, the most worthy work too.

Admonition consists of two parts, reproving of sins committed, and exhorting to duties neglected; rightly to do both, requires that the minister be. person of knowlege and understanding, of prudence and discretion, of courage and resolution, of integrity, and unblameableness of conversation;

to rule not magisterially, much less tyrannically, but in love, and with. spirit of meekness, executing that power which Christ has given for edification, and not for destruction: such. power as the shepherd has over the flock, to guide and conduct it; as the head has over the members, to influence and quicken them; as the father of the family has over the household, to take care of it, and provide for it.

Observe, 2. The people's duty to their pastors, or spiritual guides, declared; and this is twofold:

1. They are to know them, and this with. knowlege of observation, and with. knowledge of approbation, and with. knowledge of imitation.

2. They are highly to esteem them, paying honour to the function, reverence to their persons, and all this in love, and for their work's sake.

Observe lastly, the people's duty one towards another, and be at peace among yourselves; such. people can never join hearts in duty that cannot join hands in love: Christian love is. nursing mother to all graces, and tends exceedingly to make the work of the ministry successful; but when strife and dissension, when discord and division prevails, either amongst the people themselves, or betwixt minister and people, farewell all expectations of success from the ablest ministry upon earth.