Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ... Ill THE SACREDNESS OF THE PREACHER'S VOCATION (HERE is one calling which especially deserves the name of the "High calling of God in Christ Jesus," namely, that of the preacher of the gospel. He who, from this divine vocation, goes into any other, though it be to occupy the throne of a world empire, steps down to a lower level. The piety and purity of a Christian community will therefore be found to be in exact proportion to the intelligent respect and reverence in which the office of the minister of Christ is held, and by which it is magnified. Paul to the Ephesian elders,1 gives the five-fold aspect of this office of the preacher and teacher: First, it is a ministry of the Lord Jesus, of whom he is a disciple and ambassador; secondly, it is a ministry of the gospel of the grace of God, of which he is a herald and witness; third, it is a ministry of the kingdom of God, in which he is a subject and representative; fourth, it is a ministry of the church of God, in which he is a servant and shepherd; fifth, a ministry of the Holy Ghost, of whom he is an ensample, and overseer or bishop. 1 Acts 20: 24-28. To Dr. Gordon the holy vocation was thus invested with this manifold opportunity and obligation, exalted privilege and commensurate responsibility. To fulfile these high functions, three things were pre-eminently needful: that the word of Christ should dwell in him richly, that Christ himself should abide in him, and that he should be filled with the Spirit. Hence he sought to know the word thoroughly as his text-book, to know Christ as his personal Saviour, and to know the Holy Spirit as his indwelling Guide. He was, as became a preacher of the word, a man of clear and firm convictions. If physiognomy is any index of character, there was...
