Ministers Compared to Stars

    MINISTERS COMPARED TO STARS

    "The mystery of the seven Stars, which thou sawest in my right-hand, and the seven golden candlesticks: The seven Stars are the seven angels of the seven churches; and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches." Re 1:20.

    By Stars in this place, it appears the Ministers of God's word are meant.

    METAPHOR.

    I. Naturalists say, the sun communicates his light to the Stars.

    PARALLEL

    I. So Christ imparts of his Spirit, and saving light and knowledge, to his faithful Ministers.

    METAPHOR

    II. The Stars are placed by the Lord in the heavens.

    PARALLEL

    II. So the Ministers of the Gospel are placed by the Lord in the Church.

    METAPHOR

    III. The Stars are a great ornament, and shine gloriously in the heavens.

    PARALLEL

    III. So faithful Ministers are a great ornament to the church, in which they shine forth gloriously in doctrine and conversation.

    METAPHOR

    IV. Stars differ one from another in glory.

    PARALLEL

    IV. So there are diversities of gifts of the Spirit in the Ministers of the Gospel; some shine more than others in parts and piety.

    METAPHOR

    V. Stars sometimes are obscured by clouds, and shine not.

    PARALLEL

    V. So ministers sometimes, through temptations, are beclouded, and shine not as at other times.

    METAPHOR

    VI. Stars are a guide unto mariners.

    PARALLEL

    VI. So Ministers of the Gospel are guides to spiritual mariners.

    METAPHOR

    VII. A Star led the wise men to Christ.

    PARALLEL

    VII. A true Minister's design in preaching, is to lead men to Christ.

    METAPHOR

    VIII. Stars give light to men, only in the night.

    PARALLEL

    VIII. So Christ's Ministers shine forth, and give light to sinners, and others, whilst the night of this world doth last.

    METAPHOR

    IX. The Stars send down sweet influences on the earth: "Canst thou bind in sweet influences of pleiades, or, the seven Stars?" Job 38:31.

    PARALLEL

    IX. So the faithful Ministers of the Gospel, in a blessed manner influence, by their heavenly doctrine and life, the souls of men to whom they preach, and daily converse with.

    INFERENCES.

    O What a blessing are faithful teachers to a people or nation where they live! Is it not a lovely thing to see the Gospel Stars? Pray that the heaven may be clear, and that these Stars may not disappear, nor withdraw their shining.