The apostle, in his charge to the Elders of the Church at Ephesus, scans the entire dispensation. It is as follows: "Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing, shall grievous wolves come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore, watch, and remember, that by the space of three years, I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them which are sanctified." One part of this charge is addressed to the ministry. Take heed unto thyself--or yourselves; "see that the life of God remains, and the work of God prospers in thine own soul." Take heed that thy words be seasoned with grace. Let thy conversation be upright, godly, sincere, as becometh the Gospel. It should be without covetousness: "Desire nothing more than what God has given you, and especially, covet nothing which the Divine Providence has given to another man; for this is the _spirit of robbery_." Subdue that insatiable desire for secular gain; bring it into subjection to the will of Christ; be content with such things as ye have; for He (the Lord) hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. The man of God must not be a "brawler," but quiet and peaceable. He must be no "striker," not quarrelsome; not a persecutor of those who may differ from him; for, to indulge in such a spirit, is to give our profession the lie. He must be apt to teach. "Study," says the apostle, "to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." He must be careful to teach the _whole_ word of God, regardless of the commandments, doctrine and traditions of men. In a word, he must be an example of believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. And thus, in keeping himself by the assistance of God's grace, he is prepared, in the second place, to take heed unto the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made him an overseer; to feed the Church of God. Mark! the man of God is to feed the Church--not to legislate. He is to give them (the Church) "their portion of meat in due season."