godly discipline-in receiving persons into the church-and in passing censures on obnoxious members.

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However, acting in character as "their people's servants," seems ill to comport with pretensions to the whole power and authority of governing the church. They share this, in most cases, but in common with their private brethren. It will not consist with a haughty, magisterial temper and conduct. forbids them " to lord it over God's heritage "To take state on themselves-to distance their people as vastly below themand forbid them to approach them, without signs of deep reverence and submission. It very ill agrees with those high-sounding titles, so common in the national established church: Right reverend Father in God-Lords' Spiritual, &c. It leads us rather to expect singular humility, gentleness and condescensionthat they "instruct with meekness those who oppose them ”— that they are easy of access to all; even to persons of tender age; in low circumstances; and of small abilities. "A law of kindness should be ever on their tongues; " and a sweet, placid temper be maintained, as far as possible on all occasions.

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Their professing themselves their "people's servants," must be more than a fashionable compliment: Your humble servants. is a declared readiness to serve them in their most important interests to do good to their souls, in all ways, in their power. This declaration they make when they enter on the sacred work; and they should be careful to act up to it in all their future labors. We are your servants, for Jesus' sake, is the profession; not for our own; not with a principal view to personal emolument. This suggests that love to Christ, a desire to promote his glory, and to build up his kingdom, should be our leading motives in the ministerial work. Noble and worthy motives indeed! Before Christ sent forth Peter to preach his gospel, he interrogated him— "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Upon his answering, "Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee :" He said, Feed my sheep-feed my lambs. John xxi. 15. Ministers should have supreme love to Christ: When, from this principle, they feed his sheep and lambs, they serve their people "for Jesus' sake."

And when they consider what he hath done and suffered, to save lost souls-how " he took on him the form of a servant, and became obedient to death," for this purpose-when they consider this, as the foundation of their own hope of salvation-what will they not be willing to do! what will they not be ready to suffer, to carry this design into effect! This will have influence in all their labors.

With what holy zeal will it fill their public instructions! How will they cry aloud and not spare, to awaken stupid and secure

sinners, and to show them their danger! How earnestly will they entreat them to be reconciled to God! How pathetically will they represent the riches of his grace in Christ! How tenderly will they administer the comforts and cordials of the gospel, to the true disciples of Christ, to cheer their souls, and animate them to run with patience and alacrity the race set before them; In a word, what life and vigor will appear in all their ministrations, in the house of God!

Nor will these motives operate only on their public labors : They will excite them to the most vigorous exertions, to serve their people, and do them good, in private ways. They will render them diligent in their studies, and fervent in their prayers for them. They will make them desirous to know the state of their flocks, and willing to take pains for that purpose. They will stir them up to the difficult and laborious duty of making pastoral visits. They will carry them often to families of affliction, and into chambers of sickness, that they may improve the most favorable opportunities of administering private counsel, exhortation and comfort; while their hearts are made soft by the rod of God upon them, and their ears opened to discipline. They will be influenced thereby, cheerfully to perform the humblest offices, which tend to promote the spiritual good of their people. They will condescend to men of low degree, and be ready to teach the weakest, as well as the wisest ; as it were "to gather the lambs in their arms, and carry them in their bosoms;" and tenderly to watch for every soul committed to their care.

Yea, they will be animated to perseverance in this difficult and arduous work. They will not soon quit it, on account of the trials and discouragements they meet with in it; but be desirous, if it be the will of God, to serve him in the gospel of his Son, to their dying day; and to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, till their lips be closed in the silent grave; hoping to bring many of their people to know him, and believe on him here, that they may be admitted into his presence hereafter, to celebrate his praises for ever. Thus they should approve themselves their servants, for Jesus' sake.

And now by way of reflection:

1. What hath been offered, may suggest something of the difficulty, as well as importance, of the ministerial work. To collect from the sacred Scriptures, the various doctrines and duties of Christianity-to place them in a clear and consistent point of light -and to apply them properly, to persons of various characters, so as to give to each his portion in due season, must require great skill, and close application of mind. In order to any one's doing this, he need have a clear head, as well as a pious heart,-he

need have good natural abilities, and some peculiar advantages of education; as also a studious and contemplative disposition. He need feel the power of divine truths on his own mind, and be filled with superlative love to Christ.

Those who cannot look on themselves, to be in some good measure, possessed of these qualifications, do wrong to seek admission into the ministry; and others cannot be justified in encouraging them to enter into it. the work of the Lord should prosper in their hands: There is We cannot reasonably expect great danger of its suffering, through their unskilful and unfaithful management of it.

2. Is it not seasonable, my fathers and brethren in the ministry, on this occasion, to examine ourselves, how far we have acted up to the apostle's example, in our text? Whether we have been duly careful," not to preach ourselves "-not to deliver our own notions and sentiments, for gospel truths-not to seek our own advantage and reputation, more than the honor of our divine Master, and the edification of his kingdom. Whether we have endeavored, faithfully to "preach Christ Jesus the Lord;" by treating on his person, natures and offices, as the Son of God, and Saviour of lost men-by explaining his example, and recommending it to the imitation of his followers-by teaching the same doctrines, and inculcating the same duties which he did? Whether we have, in our public and private labors, approved ourselves the sincere and faithful servants of our people, for Jesus' sake?

Upon a serious review of our ministerial conduct, and a recollection of our ordination vows, I hope we stand acquitted of habitual and allowed unfaithfulness, to our divine Master, or to the people of our charge. But alas! who of us doth not find himself to have been negligent and slothful in many articles of duty? Too much influenced by worldly motives? Too little warmed and animated with love to Christ, and compassion to precious and immortal souls?

So far as we have been enabled to be faithful, let us thank God, and take courage. So far as we are conscious of sinful imperfection and negligence, let us be deeply humbled for it, and seek pardon through the blood of the great sacrifice, which was shed for the priesthood, and for the congregation. Let us now renew our vows and resolutions, for greater fidelity and diligence, in time

to come.

3. Do the faithful ministers of the gospel "preach Christ, and not themselves?" How attentive should people be to their instructions? It is not pretended, that people are bound to receive all that they deliver, with an implicit faith, for gospel truth. They must hear, and judge for themselves. But so much deference is undoubtedly due to those that are set over them, in

the Lord; and by office public instructors; as to prevent their suddenly rejecting any doctrine, which they may deliver; without a candid and thorough examination of it; and clear evidence, that it is not founded on the oracles of God. Though it should not exactly coincide with their preconceived opinions, they should not at once determine it erroneous; but remember, it is possible they may have been mistaken. They should lay their minds open to further light-be willing to be convinced of their errors, if they have run into any, and to renounce them. They should not rashly determine their minister to be unsound in the faith, before he hath had sufficient opportunity to explain himself, and to illustrate what might be dark and ambiguous, in any of his terms (such terms ought to be as much as may be avoided) and to set, in a plain and clear light, those arguments which he imagines, support what he hath advanced.

All this candor and moderation are due from one Christian to another, in private life, which if exercised, might prevent many angry disputes and severe censures: Surely not less, one would imagine something more is due from a people to their minister; whose advantages to search the Scriptures, and discover the truths which they contain, have generally been greater than theirs.

But when they evidently preach agreeably to the sacred oracles, and bring important messages from thence, to their people, they should consider in whose name and by whose authority, they speak, and regard them accordingly. If they are treated with contempt, in their ministerial character and work, the contempt doth not terminate upon them, but extends to their divine Master, whose they are, and whom they serve. What he said to his disciples, is in a measure, applicable to all his faithful ministers : "He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me." Luke x. 16. When they deliver the pure, uncorrupted word of truth, it should be received, as the apostle said the Thessalonians received that which he preached, 1 Thess. ii. 13, not as the word of men, but as it is, in truth, the word of God, which worketh effectually in them that believe.

I shall close the discourse, with those addresses, which custom and propriety, lead you to expect on this occasion. And first, I turn myself to my beloved brother, at whose desire 1 stand in the desk this day.

Dear Sir,

You see, by what has been suggested, a large field of labor and service, which you have to go over, in order faithfully to discharge the duties of the ministerial office. You will find no small difficulty in observing the prohibition, "not to preach yourself." are apt to be too selfish in all we do; to the exclusion of those

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supreme regards to Christ, which ought to govern us. You will find it a great work, to "preach Christ" faithfully, in the several relations which have been mentioned. You will meet with many discouragements from your own heart; and not a few, probably, from the various tempers and dispositions of your people. I suggest not these things to dishearten you. I doubt not you have thought much of them already. I am sure the prospect would be enough to sink your spirits, and those of every one, that engages in this work, with a proper sense of its difficulty and importance, did not he who calls us to it, provide cordials and supports for us, while faithfully performing it." Lo I am with you alway, even to the end of the world," is his gracious promise. Under what trials will not his presence support you! Through what difficulties and dangers will it not safely conduct you! As you desire to derive sensible support from this, and such like promises, labor to be very faithful to Christ, and the souls committed to your charge. Aim at an elevation above the fear of men-above worldly and secular views-above a thirst for popular applause. Keep in good terms with God and your own conscience. This will lead you to a conduct most likely to secure the friendship and esteem of your people, at least of such as fear God, and act conscientiously themselves.

Here, Sir, you behold a large number of precious and immortal souls, committing themselves to your pastoral care. It is incumbent on you "to watch for them, as expecting to give an account" -faithfully to "preach to them Christ Jesus the Lord"—and to bring them, if possible, to a saving acquaintance with him ; and to a conversation agreeable to his gospel. For "his sake," you are to approve yourself "their servant." And when you consider what he hath done and suffered, to redeem them from everlasting ruin, can you think much of any services, and sufferings, you may be called to, in order to bring them to partake of that redemption? View every soul as precious: see that none, whether old or young, whether rich or poor, be neglected by you. Cultivate in your mind, an ardent affection to this people. Let it be catholic and impartial; extending to several who do not share with their brethren in the joy of this day's solemnity, as well as to others. Give them the most convincing proof, that you unfeignedly seek their best good. Let them have no occasion to say any evil thing of you: Yea, by a kind, tender and faithful conduct, labor to win them. If your heart is warmed with ardent love to your people, all your labors will be labors of love, which carry their own reward with them. Dear Sir," be strong in the grace, which is in Christ Jesus. Be not weary in well-doing; remembering that in due time you shall reap if you faint not." Endeavor to keep in mind the rewards of grace, set before you. Look forward