Wednesday, July 16 In the afternoon I metwith Mr Hartley as he was going to Leeds. I had some conversation with him and he left me a letter in answer to a question which I proposed to him respecting my desire to be employed in the work of the ministry. The letter contains these observations in connection with some others.
Without doubt a desire to be engaged in this work is not only lawful but needful to all those who enter into the Lord's vineyard 1 Tim iii. 1 should bear this office willingly 1 Cor ix 17 but then it is very necessary that we seriously examine what ends we have in view. If we are influenced by other principles than love to God and love to men and if we have any other end in view or at least any more prevailing end in view than the glory of God and the spiritual and eternal welfare of man our hearts are not right in the sight of God. The principle is best tried by the motives by which it is influenced yet as through the corruption of nature we do nothing for God but some degree of self pride and vain glory attends us therein so even in proposing or intending so great a work as this some motions from such principles may appear to those who will carefully examine their own hearts. What you have therefore to do in this case is not to see that you are entirely exempt from these improper feelings which is scarcely possible in this present imperfect state but to inquire what is the predominant desire of your soul or what is the highest end you have in view; if the motives I have mentioned, namely the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, you may then in his strength undertake the work not doubting but he who has called you to it will enable you to encounter and repel the difficulties you will have to meet with.
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