---
title: 'Samuel Finley on Faithful Ministers'
type: post
author: 'R. Andrew Myers'
date: 2023-10-18
url: https://confessional.org/blog/2023-samuel-finley-on-faithful-ministers
---

# Samuel Finley on Faithful Ministers

“Faithful ministers are the defense, the strength, and ornament of the church. The Apostle considers himself as one *set for the defense of the gospel*. And to manifest that this is the province of every minister, it is required as a qualification for the office, *that they may be able, by sound speech, both to exhort, and convince gainsayers*. It is expected in a peculiar manner from them, that they should endeavor to *make up the hedge, and stand in the gap*. To interpose between an offended God, and a sinful people; and intercede for them as Moses often did for Israel.” — [**Samuel Finley**](/authors/samuel-finley), *Faithful Ministers the Fathers of the Church: A Sermon Preached at Fogs*-*Manor on Occasion of the Death of the Reverend Mr. Samuel Blair* (1752)