Works (Vol 4) - Newton - XXX - Sermon XXX (The publication of the gospel)

Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon XXX (The publication of the gospel).

My summary
This week Newton preaches on: 'The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. (Psa 68:11)'.

Newton tells us that this text, if not a direct prophecy of the publication of the Gospel, it is at least a fit motto to a discourse on this very important subject.  He considers it in two senses:
(i) the message is the Lord's (He gave the word, and prescribed to his servants the subject-matter of their preaching);
(ii) the messengers employed are called and sent forth by him (The Lord gave the word or command; in consequence of which word, the number of preachers was great, as when in the beginning he said, "Let there be light, and there was light").

What grabbed me
I wasn't impressed with Newton's exegesis, which he himself admits is not necessarily correct.

But I did like his comment about the perseverance of ministers: '...only he who sends forth his ministers can enable them to persevere. It is a service of continual exertion and expense, and requires a continual supply. The opposition of the world, and the power of temptation, acting upon the weakness and depravity of the heart, would quickly prevail against the best ministers, if they were left to carry on the warfare at their own charges. They are at times, yea, frequently, in situations and circumstances which teach them feelingly the meaning of the apostle's words, "We were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life." Besides the trials incidental to the Christian profession, which they are exposed to in common with others, they have many which are peculiar to their calling as preachers of the Gospel. Their chief pre-eminence over Christians in private life is a painful one ; they have the honour of bearing a double share of the heat and burden of the day, and of standing in the foremost ranks of the battle, to provoke and receive the fiercest assaults of the enemy. Their only resource and hope is in the faithfulness and compassion of their Lord, under whose banner and eye they fight, and who has said, "Lo ! I am with you always, even to the end of the world."'

The fact that a minister perseveres in the ministry is a testimony to a supernatural power at work in his life.

Next week's reading
Read Sermon XXXI (The gospel message, glad tidings).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.