On a minister’s privilege, perseverance & prayer (Nisbet)

Privilege
“It is neither the credit nor profit of a minister’s calling that should move him to painfulness [diligence], but rather the consideration…that one so unworthy of so honourable an employment, and many times justly deserving to have been thrust out of it, should yet be employed, furnished, and rewarded by Jesus Christ”.

Perseverance
“…As death is the term-day of a minister’s service in his calling, till which time he ought neither to desire to change his calling, nor do it by deputies under him, though he meet with small success and great hardship; So the consideration of his frail, flitting and fighting condition, imported by being in a tabernacle, should make him stir himself busily while time and strength lasteth”

Prayer
“A minister should not content himself barely to propound truths, and [re]mind people of their duty, but by all means should labour with God, and his own heart, to have such power accompanying his pains, that dead, sleeping and lazie souls, may be quickened, wakened, and roused up”

Alexander Nisbet (Covenanter) on 2 Peter 1:13-14