# “Paternal counsel to the pastor of a small congregation” by John Brown of Haddington

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2025/04/15/paternal-counsel-to-the-pastor-of-a-small-congregation-by-john-brown-of-haddington/
- Published: 2025-04-15T12:00:00-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“The Rev. John Brown of Haddington, _clarum et venerabile nomen_ (‘a famous and 
venerable name’), in a letter of paternal counsels and cautions to one of his pupils
newly ordained over a small congregation, wrote thus:

> ‘_I know the vanity of your heart, and that you will feel mortified that your 
> congregation is very small, in comparison with those of your brethren around you;
> but assure yourself on the word of an old man, that when you come to give an account
> of them to the Lord Christ, at His judgment-seat, you will think you have had 
> enough.’_“

–John Brown of Haddington, cited by Alexander Grossart in “[The Soul’s Conflict With Itself,](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0851513980?tag=toletaupanre-20)”
in [_The Works of Richard Sibbes_, _Vol. 1_](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0851513980?tag=toletaupanre-20)(
Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth Trust, 1979), 1: 294.

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