Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 207

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200 LIFE OF PAUL . brethren . He therefore left with them his counsel and admonition as his will and testament to be carriedoutby them when theyshouldseehim no more . "WhereforeI takeyou torecordthisday,that I am pure from the bloodof allmen ;; for I have not shunnedto declareunto you allthe counsel of God." No fearof givingoffense, no desire for friendshipor applause, could lead him to withholdthe words which God had given him for their instruction, warning , or correction. The ministerof Christ is not to presentto the peoplethosetruthsthataremost pleasing,while he withholdsotherswhichmightcausethem pain. He shouldwatch withdeepsolicitudethedevelopment of character. If he seesthat any of his flockare cherishingsin, he must as a faithful shepherdgive them instructionfrom God's word applicableto theircase. Should he permit them in theirself-confidencetogo on insinunwarned, he would beheldresponsiblefortheirblood. The pastorwho fulfillshishigh commissionmust instructhispeoplein everypointof the Christian faith,allthatthey ought tobe or todo,in orderto standperfectintheday of God . The apostleadmonishes his brethren: " Take heed thereforeunto yourselves, and to allthe flock,overthewhich the Holy Ghost hathmade you overseers,to feedthe church of God ,which he hath purchasedwithhisown blood." Could ministersof the gospelconstantlybear in mind that theyare dealingwith the purchaseof the bloodof Christ,theywould have a deepersense of thesolemnimportanceof theirwork. They are to take heed unto themselves and to the flock. Their own example must illustrateand en