Chapter VI. The zeal befitting ecclesiastical rulers

We cannot disguise the fact that we must most carefully observe why it is that you have been set above other men. I certainly do not think it is that you may exercise lordship over them. For even the prophet, when he was in like manner exalted, was told ' to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow ; to build, and to plant '.'• Which of these has the ring of pride in it ? Is it not more correct to say that the labourer's task typifies spiritual toil ? And if we are to think highly of ourselves, we should perceive that a burden of srma- is laid upon us, not the privilege of lordship bestowed. ' I am not greater than the prophet ; and if haply I am his equal in authority, still there is no comparison between our deserts.' Speak thus to yourself, and do you who teach others teach yourself. Suppose you are as one of the prophets. Is not that enough for you ? Yes, and more than enough. But by the grace of God you are what you are. What is that ? Suppose you are a prophet, .ire you more than a prophet ? If you are wise you will be content with the measure wherewith God hath measured to you. For what is 1 Pt. cii. 10. 2 Jer. i. IO.

more is of evil. Learn by the prophet's example to govern, not so much for the purpose of commanding as of doing what the time requires. Learn the lesson that, if you are to do the work of a prophet, what you want is not a sceptre, but a hoe. The prophet does not rise to reign, but to root out the weeds. Do you not think that you, too, may find something to be done in your Master's field ? Yes, and plenty of it. The prophets have surely not been able to clean all the ground ; they left something for their sons, the apostles, to do ; and your progenitors have left something for you. Nor will you prove equal to the whole task. You will assuredly leave something for your successor, and he for others, and 50 on to the end. Accordingly, we find that about the eleventh hour the labourers were rebuked for idleness, and sent into the vineyard. Your predecessors, the apostles, were told that ' the harvest was indeed plenteous, but the labourers were few V Claim for yourself the inheritance of your fathers. For if you are son, then you are also the heir. That you may prove yourself to be the heir, diligently watch, and forgo sluggish ease, lest to you also it be said, Why standest thou here all the day idle ? 3

Much less ought you to be found dissolved in luxury, or proudly exhibiting yourself. The will of the testator bequeaths to you nothing like this. Need I say that if you are content with its provisions you will inherit care and toil rather than glory and riches. Does Peter's chair flatter you ? It is a watch-tower whence, in a word, you exercise supervision ; the very name of ' bishop ' reminds you not of lordship, but of duty. How fitting it is that you are set on high where you can view all things, inasmuch as you are appointed watch man over all. In very truth the legitimate issue of that prospect is not ease, but readiness for battle. Where ease is 1 St. Matt. ix. 37. - Gal. iv. 7. 8 St. Matt. xx. 6, unlawful, what occasion is there for glorying ? And case is out of the question when you are burdened with the constant care of all the churches. It must be so ; for what else did the holy ajx>stle transmit to you ? ' Such as I have/ he says, 4 give I thce.' What is that? One thing I know— it is not gold, nor silver, for he himself says, -Sil\er and gold I have-not.' If you happen to have them, use them not for your own gratification, but to meet the necessities of the time. You will then be using them as though you used them not. In them^-Kes as regards man's spiritual welfare, they are neither good nor b^d ; yet the use of them is good, the pose is bad ; anxiety about them is worse ; the greed of gain still more disgraceful. Suppose that on the strength of some other plea you may claim them, you cannot do so by apostolic right. For the apostle could not give what he did not himself possess. What he had, that he gave — the care, as I have said, of the churches. Did he bequeath to you lordship over them ? Hear what he says, ' Not lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves example- to the Hock.' 3 And do not suppose that the words were prompted by humility only, and are not based on truth. In the Gospel there is the Lord's warning, 'The kings of the Gentiles hau lordship over them, and they that have authority over them are called Benefactors.' * And then He adds, - But ye shall not be so.' It is quite clear; the apostles are forbidden to exercise lordship.

otherwise think yourself excepted from the number of those of whom God thus complains, ' They have reigned, but not by me ; they have been princes, and I knew it not.' 1 Now if you like to reign without God, you have whereof to glory, but not before God. But if we uphold the prohibition, let us give heed to the commandment, ' He that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger ; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.' 2 Here is the apostolic pattern ; lordship is forbidden, service is enjoined ; and this latter is also com mended by the example of the Lawgiver Himself, who immediately adds, ' but I am in the midst of you as he that sen eth.' 3 Who, then, would think he has nothing whereof to glory when he bears the title by which the Lord of Glory distinguished Himself? Rightly doth Paul glory therein when he says, 'Are they servants of Christ? so am I.' And then he adds, ' I speak as one beside himself, I more. In labours more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft.' Oh ! splendid service. What sovereignty does it not excel in glory ? If you must glory, the pattern of the saints is set before you, the glory of the apostles is your model. Does that seem to you insignificant.? Oh ! that some one would give me the power of becoming like the saints in glory ! The prophet cries aloud. * Thy friends, O God, are too honourable for me, their sovereignty hath grown too strong.' The apostle exclaims, ' God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.' 6 at hand. If you now begin to hesitate, it will be too late.