Christian ministry by Charles Bridges (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example)
To finish the section (and the book) Bridges gives us nine types of people the pastor meets in his work and how to deal with them:
(i) The infidel (atheist);
(ii) the ignorant and careless;
(iii) the self-righteous;
(iv) the false professor;
(v) the convicted;
(vi) the young Christian;
(vii) the backslider;
(viii) the unestablished Christian;
(ix) the confirmed and consistent Christian.
A good chapter. Apart from what appears to be a promotion of Pascal's Wager ('If it [the gospel] be false, believers are as safe as unbelievers. If it be true (and has the unbeliever no misgiving here?) where is his lot for eternity?)
I liked Bridges emphasis on the one thing that should be involved in the treatment of all cases: 'On one particular, however, we cannot mistake; that to all, of every class and at every stage, the attractions of the cross must be unfolded, and its heavenly glory made intelligible, for every purpose of conviction and conversion, of instruction and sanctification; for the establishment, comfort, and eternal salvation of all who are willing to receive it. It is a grand specific, applicable to every variety and complication of disease, equally powerful to break the hard heart, or to heal the broken heart. The timid or mistaken exhibition of it, is but a feeble instrument of conviction: while the wilful disguise and misapprehension of it will be blasted with ineffectiveness.'
Revelation of the cross is the cure to all problems. What a great way to end the book!
Next week's reading
Begin Reformed Pastor
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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