1. As to his _intention_, both in undertaking this important office, and in executing every part of it, ought it not to be singly this, to glorify God, and to save souls from death? Is not this absolutely and indispensably necessary, before all and above all things? _If_ his _eye be single, his whole body_, his whole soul, his whole work _will be full of light_. God _who commanded light to shine out of darkness_, will _shine on his heart_; will direct him in all his ways, will give him to see the travel of his soul and be satisfied. But if his eye, his intention be not single, if there be any mixture of meaner motives, (how much more, if those were or are his _leading motives_ in undertaking or exercising this high office?) his _whole body_, his whole soul will _be full of darkness_, even such as issues from _the bottomless pit_: let not such a man think, that he shall have any blessing from the Lord. No: The curse of God abideth on him. Let him not expect to enjoy any settled peace, any solid comfort in his own breast: neither can he hope, there will be any fruit of his labours, any sinners converted unto God. *2. As to his _affections_. Ought not a _steward of the mysteries of_ God, a shepherd of the souls for whom _Christ_ died, to be endued with an eminent measure of love to God, and love to all his brethren? A love the same in kind, but in degree far beyond that of ordinary Christians? Can he otherwise answer the high character he bears, and the relation wherein he stands? Without this, how can he go through all the toils and difficulties which necessarily attend the faithful execution of his office? Would it be possible for a parent to go through the pain and fatigue of bearing and bringing up even one child, were it not for that vehement affection, that inexpressible Στοργὴ, which the Creator has given for that very end? How much less will it be possible for any pastor, any spiritual parent to go through the pain and labour of _travailing in birth for_, and bringing up many children, to the measure of the full stature of _Christ_, without a large measure of that inexpressible affection, which _a ♦stranger intermeddleth not with_? ♦ “straning” replaced with “stranger” He therefore must be utterly void of understanding, must be a madman of the highest order, who on any consideration whatever, undertakes this office, while he is a stranger to this affection. Nay, I have often wondered that any man in his senses, does not rather dig or thresh for a livelihood, than continue therein, unless he feels at least (which is _extremâ lineâ amare_) such an earnest concern for the glory of God, and such a thirst after the salvation of souls, that he is ready to do any thing, to lose any thing, or to suffer any thing, rather than one should perish for whom _Christ_ died.