I will add nothing concerning the happier experience of a sure interest in CHRIST, of that holiness without which no man shall see the LORD,—and all the work of the SPIRIT in the soul of the believer; and of the love of CHRIST shed abroad in the heart. But such as this, is the personal character of the true minister of CHRIST, which ought to be a discriminating credential of the presence of the SPIRIT of GOD with us. O that we may have it in all its fulness and excellency! 2. The other point, which St. Paul appeals to in the text, is the _effectual blessing of God upon ministerial labours_. “Ye,” says the apostle, speaking of souls brought out of death into life by his means, “Ye are our Royal letters, which we carry out in our hearts, as ambassadors for CHRIST, to be read by, and spoken of unto, all men. JESUS ordained them on my behalf; I was the ministering hand by which He wrote; the HOLY GHOST was with me, and indelibly impressed them on the tablets of your hearts; the character, and language are those which pourtray the new creature, the children of the living GOD, the heirs of everlasting glory.” He disclaims all sufficiency, not only to write, but even to conceive, what was written, except as it was given to Him by GOD, (a point they would readily admit,) and thus, in their conversion by his means, he had the clearest and strongest evidence that GOD was with him of a truth. So he says in another place, “The seal of mine apostleship are ye in the LORD: are not ye my work in the LORD?” And it is evident that this is a most essential, decisive, and therefore desirable, proof of our ministry being of GOD. I do not think we should by any means rest and be satisfied without it. I know that a minister may be a true prophet without always having this testimony; and though the Israel of GOD be not gathered by his means, his work is with the LORD, and his judgment with his GOD; and Isaiah says, “LORD, who hath believed our report, and to whom hath the arm of the LORD been revealed?” But this is the _exception_ and not the _rule_. What are pastors and teachers for? Truly “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of CHRIST; opening men’s eyes, turning them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto GOD; that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among all them which are sanctified, by faith that is in CHRIST.” {46} If these holy and heavenly purposes be not evidently answered by us, what are we better than others? If they be but feebly and equivocally answered, why are we not afraid, and put upon inquiry as to the cause, and upon prayer, most earnest prayer, that we may not be disowned both of GOD and man? What letters have we to show that we are not thus disowned? O that our gracious LORD and master may give us all imperishable seals of our apostleship in great numbers! Let us earnestly see to it that we obtain them. The _double_