Ecclesiastical succession versus individual ministry.
The spirit of these words is not hard to divine. "We have a succession of priests, teachers, and prophets assured to us by our traditional institutions; so there is no great loss if Jeremiah be discounted; and we need not fear the cessation of the Divine revelation,—is it not provided against by a sacred succession?"
I. THERE ARE MANY WHO BELIEVE IN THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTRY AS AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND TRUTH.
II. THIS IS ALLEGED IN EXCUSE FOR:
1. Refusing support to special religious effort.
2. Contempt and opposition of individual ministers.
III. IN CORRECTION OF THIS ERROR MAY BE NOTED:
1. That it is not countenanced by God.
2. History has frequently shown its falsehood.
3. It is really a reliance upon the human and not the Divine.
4. God does his special work nearly always through individuals.
5. The dishonor done to the servant is done to his Master.—M.
The preacher's foes; or, false tongues and deaf ears.
I. THESE OPPOSE MORE OR LESS EVERY TRUE MINISTRY. The persecutors of Stephen "stopped their ears and ran upon him."
II. THEY ARE AN INDIRECT TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH AND FAITHFULNESS OF THE MESSAGE DELIVERED.
III. THEY MAY RETARD, BUT THEY CANNOT STIFLE, THE DIVINE MESSAGE. The slander can be lived down. The voice of just men done to death will speak when they are dead. Magna est veritas et prevalebit.
IV. THERE IS A SILENT WITNESS WHO SHALL TAKE ACCOUNT OF ALL.
1. It is of less consequence to us that men approve and attend than that God should do so. The preacher addresses not only a visible, but an invisible, audience. Of every word that proceeds from his servants' lips God takes note.
2. He will protect his servant until his work has been accomplished.
3. The slanders and indifference of those to whom the Word is spoken will be punished. (Matthew 12:36, Matthew 12:37.)—M.