Page:The pastor in his closet.djvu/20

 of so many, be numbered among the teachers of men? Must I, who am full of sin, preach against sin? Must I walk first, who am last in many things? Must I lead souls to the throne of grace, when so many souls do outstrip me in the spiritual life through their greater zeal?

Lord help me; I cry unto Thee for help; I have no sufficiency as of myself, nothing to trust in but Thee only and Thy grace. I might well wish to unload me of this charge, and to occupy myself about my own soul only, when I consider my sinfulness, weakness, infirmities, fallings off, fallings short, negligences and other sins. I might well wish for a private place in the Church, where I might receive instruction, and hear counsel, and have help of spiritual men, and have pastors over me.

Yet Thou hast called me, Lord, to this work; Thou hast chosen me out of my brethren; I believe that I was inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to the Order and Ministry of the Priesthood; I had the outward call of the Church; the holy hands of the Bishop and Presbytery were laid on me.

Thus was I set apart for this office; I cannot now go back; “a necessity is laid on me, woe unto me if I preach not the Gospel.” I am Thine, Christ, Thine for this great work, Thine for