a perfon is ordained a deacon, he declares, in the presence of the bishop, the affifting minifters, and the congregation affembled, that "he trufts he is inwardly moved by the Holy Ghoft to take upon him that office, to ferve God for the promoting his glory." And that he thinks he is truly called to the ministry of the church, according to the will of our Lord Jefus Chrift." Before he is ordained a prieft, he also publicly declares, that he thinks in his heart, that he is truly called to the office of the priesthood, according to the will of our Lord Jefus Chrift."

Soon after this folemn and public declaration, the bishop exhorts him, " in the name of our Lord Jefus Chrift, to have in remembrance into how high a dignity, and to how weighty an office and charge he is called; that is to fay, to be a meffenger, a watchman, and steward of the Lord; to teach and to premonish, to feed and provide for the Lord's family; to feek for Christ's sheep, that are difperfed abroad-that they may be faved through Chrift for ever." He adds, "Have always, therefore, printed in your remembrance, how great a treasure is committed to your charge. For they are the fheep of Chrift, which he bought with his

death,

death, and for whom he fhed his blood. The church and congregation whom you must ferve, is his fpoufe, and his body. And if it fhall happen the fame church, or any member thereof, to take any hurt or hindrance, by reafon of your negligence, you know the greatnefs of the fault, and also the horrible punishment that will enfue, Wherefore confider with yourself the end of your miniftry-and fee that you never ceafe your labour, your care and diligence, until you have done all that lieth in you, according to your bounden duty.

Forafmuch then as your office is both of fo great excellency, and of fo great difficulty, you fee with how great care and study you ought to apply yourself; as also to beware that neither you offend, nor be occafion that others offend--therefore, you ought, and have need to pray earnestly for God's Holy Spirit.

We hope you have well weighed and pondered these things long before this time; and that you have clearly determined, by God's grace, to give yourself wholly to this office, fo that as much as lieth in you, you will apply yourself wholly to this one thing, and draw all your cares and ftudies this way; and that you will continually pray to God

the

the Father by the mediation of our only Saviour Jefus Chrift, for the heavenly affiftance of the Holy Ghoft; that by daily reading and weighing of the Scriptures, you may wax riper and ftronger in your ministry; and that you may fo endeavour yourself to fanctify the lives of you and yours, and to fafhion them after the rule and doctrine of Chrift, that you may be a wholesome and godly example, and pattern for the people to follow. And now that this prefent congregation of Chrift here affembled may alfo underftand your mind and will in these things, and that this your promife may the more move you to do your duty, you shall anfwer plainly to thefe things, which we in the name of God and of his church fhall demand of you touching the fame."

Many queftions are then put to him: the fubftance of which, and of his anfwers, in the very words that are used, is-" That he will give faithful diligence always fo to minifter the doctrine and facraments and the discipline of Chrift, as the Lord hath commanded, and as the church and realm hath received the fame; and that he will teach the people committed to his cure and charge with all diligence to keep and obferve them that he will be ready with all faithful diligence

ligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and ftrange doctrines, contrary to God's word; and to use both public and private admonitions and exhortations, as well to the fick as to the whole, within his cure, as need fhall require, and occafion fhall be given:-that he will be diligent in prayers, and in reading of the holy Scriptures, and in fuch ftudies as help to the knowledge of the fame, laying afide the study of the world and the flesh." After this his folenn promife the bishop prays in the following words: "Almighty God, who hath given you this will to do all these things, grant alfo unto you strength and power to fulfil the fame."

This is a moft folemn engagement for any man to make. Be it remembered, Sir, that you and I have made it, in the presence of a holy and juft God, and who most affuredly expects that we fhould endeavour to fulfil it. But folemn and comprehenfive as it is, it contains no more than the Scriptures require from all who undertake to officiate in facred things.

The Epiftles to Timothy point out, by the advice and exhortations contained in them, the duty of every minifter of the gof pel. "Thefe things write I unto thee, fays

the

the apoftle, hoping to come unto thee shortly: but if I tarry long, that thou mayst know how thou oughteft to behave thyfelf in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." I. Tim. iii. 14, 15.

Let us, then, feriously attend to fome of the important things which the apostle speaks to Timothy, and not to him only, but to every minister in every age of the church. "Let no man defpife thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in converfation, in charity, in fpirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the prefbytery. Meditate upon these things, give thyfelf wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyfelf, and to thy doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou fhalt fave both thyfelf and them that hear thee." I. Tim. iv. 12-16. "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and haft profesfed a good profeffion before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the fight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Jesus Christ,

I

who