Jeremiah 1:6-10

Reader! do not fail to remark, how humbling grace is in the soul. Before the Prophet was conscious of the work wrought in him, the blessed effects were made to appear, in a lowliness suited to the mercy. He giveth grace to the humble. And let the Reader further observe, how the Lord removed the Prophet's fears by the sovereignty of his grace. It is remarkable, that each of the Prophets, Isaiah Jeremiah and Ezekiel, at their introduction into their prophetical office, were ordained by an outward visible sign, as well as by the inward, illuminating, and confirming grace. Isaiah 6:6; Ezekiel 3:1. And what confidence did these gracious ordinations inspire in the minds of all? I hope the Reader will not, while looking at the ordination service of Prophets in the Old Testament, overlook and pass by the ordination of the Apostles under the New. Behold Jesus in that interesting season, when sending forth his disciples to teach and to preach in the synagogues. Luke 10:1. So again, after his resurrection, John 20:21. So again in the moment of his departure, Luke 24:45 to the end. Matthew 28:18 to the end. And Reader! is it not so now? Can there be any ordination truly blessed, except Jesus commissions? Oh! that everyone that goeth forth into the ministry, might know, like Jeremiah his warrant, and be convinced, that the same Almighty Spirit which sent forth Barnabas and Saul to the work, sends forth all his faithful servants now to the labouring in the word and doctrine! and accompanies them with his presence, Acts 13:2.