The Life and Labours of St. Augustine [pp. 436-453]

T The Life and Labours of St. Augustine.
the gospel of "God our Saviour." "Thy words were found,
and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart," is language well describing his holy relish
for the doctrines of the incorruptible word; and indicating his
consciousness that they are to be the nutriment of his own soul
in the divine life, while he dispenses them to others.
Unreserved preaching of the truth is another manifestation
of fidelity. "To declare the whole counsel of God," is
esteemed by the faithful minister as important as that he
should hold it in his creed, and love it in his heart. Such a
man is unable to conceive of any good reason why that which
is believed and loved as divine truth, should not also be spoken
publicly. Errorists generally make no secret of their errors.
WThy then should the truth-loving minister be reserved and
cautious about the declaration of the truths which he "most
surely believes." He says with Paul, and all faithful ministers,
"we also believe and therefore speak." That maxim, sometimes having its application in affairs of this life-" the truth
is not always to be spoken"-is not the faithful minister's
maxim, as a justification of silence respecting "the faith of
Jesus." His pulpit, therefore, will be a place whence "sounds
out the word of life." He blows a trumpet which gives no
"uncertain sound." He utters the doctrines of God our
Saviour in unmistakable terms; in language having specific
meaning. Such a man does not know why he has been "put
into the ministry," if it be not to be the preacher as well as
believer of "the unsearchable riches of Christ." His love to
them prepares him to find some of his highest satisfactions in
setting them forth. Those Sabbaths are days of truest, richest
enjoyment, in which he comes to his people with sermons best
filled with the truths of Christ; and in the dispensation of
which he prays and hopes to succeed, in helping those who sit
before him, to behold the glory of the gospel of Christ, in some
or other of its great articles of doctrine.
The minister in whom is fidelity to the faith will defend it
whenever it is attacked. Such a minister is not controversial
in his pulpit habits; is no theological pugilist; no "heresyhunter;" does not inform his people of errors of which they
never heard, that he may show his theological prowess in demol
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