in a godly course, to bring frequently to their view the important truth, that life and immortality are brought to light." As precepts, that enforce and illustrate this duty, I refer you to what was said, under the Old Testament dispensation. They (the Levites) shall teach Jacob thy judgments and Israel thy law.t The priest's lips should keep knowledge, and the people should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts. It was observed also, by our blessed Lord himself; in reference to the ministry in general; that Every scribe, who is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a man, that is a householder, who bringeth forth, out of his treasure, things new and old. The great object of CHRIST, said St. Paul, in giving some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, was, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of CHRIST. But more is required of the preachers of the Gospel, than simply to instruct. It is their duty also to persuade,- earnestly entreat, indeed, those who are not members of the Church, to repent, accept of God's offers in CHRIST, and unite themselves with his chosen flock; to exhort those, on the other hand, to live righteously, soberly, and godly, who, although nominally members of that body, do not put off the old man,** or live up to the spirit of their profession; and if, notwithstanding, they continue in their ungodly and immoral courses, freely to reprove them; not, however, injudiciously, or unseasonably, but tenderly and discreetly; "to use," indeed, both public and "private monitions and exhortations, as well to the sick as the whole, as need shall require, and occasion shall be given."tt

Such was the practice and the precepts of the apostle, as recorded in other places. We are ambassadors for CHRIST, said he to the Corinthians, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in CHRIST's stead, be ye reconciled to GOD.‡‡ On another occasion, We beseech you, that ye receive not the grace of GoD

in vain. In his directions to Titus, after naming several subjects, on which instruction or exhortation should be given, he adds, these things speak, and exhort, and rebuke, with all authority.†

Administering consolation, is another duty implied, in feeding the Church of God.

Such is the difference, in the human character, and such the diversity of condition in life, that while some, from the native hardness and obstinacy of their tempers, or from the almost uninterrupted prosperity and health which they enjoy, give frequent occasions for admonition or reproof; others are so timid and so diffident of themselves, or are so depressed with heavy and successive afflictions, that, instead of chiding, they require encouragement or consolation. The administration of the latter, therefore, is as necessary, as of the former; and calls for a reasonable proportion of every clergyman's attention. To perform this duty, with effect, however, much depends on the administrator's cultivation of that brotherly kindness for the members of his flock; that real sympathy in their doubts and afflictions, which are the result of genuine religion. St. Paul has left on record, in his first epistle to the Thessalonians, a specimen of his own conduct in this respect. Ye know, said he, how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you as a father doth his children.‡

A faithful and devout attention to the public exercises of religion; as the due celebration of divine service, and the proper administration of the holy sacrament, together with those duties of a less public nature, as visiting the sick, &c., may also be considered as comprehended in the phrase feeding the flock.

It becomes now a proper subject of inquiry, in what manner, the duties comprised in that phrase, should be performed. From the Scriptures we learn, that zeal, diligence, and fidelity, are qualities required in the execution of the ministerial office.

In a work of such importance, as drawing men from the dominion and servitude of sin and Satan, into the glorious liberty of the children of GOD; and training them up, under the aids of

2 Cor. vi. 10.

t Tit. ii. 15.

1 Thes. ii. 11.

Rom. viii. 21.

his Holy Spirit, for the fruition of his blessed presence, in the celestial world; it is reasonable to suppose, considering the greatness, the sacredness, and the responsibility of the office, with which ministers are honored, that they cannot but be zealous and diligent in the good work. Such was not only the fact, with St. Paul himself; but that it might be so, also, with his fellow laborers and successors, in the glorious cause, he earnestly and tenderly urges them to these duties; and offers himself as an example for their imitation. Preach the word, said he to Timothy; be instant, in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering, and doctrine.* Watch thou in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.† Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, said the apostle, in the charge, from which the text is taken, after what manner, I have been with you at all seasons; and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you; but have shewed you, and have taught you, publicly, and from house to house.t

But, however zealous and diligent a minister may be, in the discharge of the duties of his office, there is one property, without which, his preaching will be of little use, and of still less estimation, in the view of pious Christians. I mean fidelity in dispensing divine truths. And unless he adhere to the simplicity of the Gospel, in his public instruction; unless in the composition of his discourses, he aim at the edification, the awakening, and the comforting of his flock, rather than at the display of his talents and learning, preaching CHRIST JESUS the LORD, and not himself; } -unless, like St. Paul, he shun not to declare all the counsel of GOD, however displeasing certain doctrines and precepts of the Gospel may be to some of his hearers; and unless it be his aim, and his delight to please GOD,¶ rather than men ; he can neither be entitled to the character of a clergyman of fidelity in his profession; nor, according to St. Paul, be accounted a minister of CHRIST, and steward of the mysteries of GOD; because it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.** For the

2 Tim. iv. 2.

1 Acts xx. 27.

t2 Tim. lv. 5.

1 Thes. ii. 4.

Acts xx. 18, 20. * 1 Cor. iv. 1.

§ 2 Cor. iv. 5

same reason, he cannot come under the description of that faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household to give them their portion of meat, in due season:* nor can he say, with our apostle, I have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of GOD deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth, commending myself to every man's conscience, in the sight of God.t

In making these observations on the necessity of fidelity in preaching the Gospel; I would not have it supposed, that I contend for, or even countenance, that mistaken fidelity, that extreme, on the subject, of laying great stress upon certain opinions, not important in themselves, nor necessary to salvation; which men of metaphysical minds have derived from detached and obscure passages of Scripture; and which their followers make a great merit of boldly declaring to be important parts of the counsel of God. Nor do I countenance unnecessary harshness, in declaring any truth of the Gospel; or perpetually harping on some doctrine, important indeed, but not exclusively so; and which cannot fail, in the end, to become wearisome to the hearers.

Neither of these, nor any thing similar, comes within the correct idea of fidelity.

Having thus attempted to show, what was implied in the injunctions, in St. Paul's charge, Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock; I am now to call to your attention, the high obligations to such care, arising both from the divine nature of the Being, by whom these persons had been constituted overseers of the flock; and the immense value of the price, which had been given for it, the blood of the Son of GOD,

Whether the elders, as some have suggested, were the twelve persons, mentioned in the preceding chapter, as having, in consequence of the imposition of the apostle's hands, received the HOLY GHOST; and were thus qualified to speak with tongues and prophesy and whether from this circumstance especially, they were said by him, to have been made overseers by that Divine Person,

cannot now be determined: nor is it a matter of consequence; as no doubt can be entertained, by those who examine the Scriptures, that the same HOLY BEING is the source of the office and authority of the Christian ministry; whether the conveyance of it, by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, or bishops, was accompanied, as in those early ages of the Church, with miraculous gifts; or, in succeeding ages, when the necessity for them no longer existed, without such advantages.

That St. Paul intended, by reminding the elders of the sacred and exalted source from which they derived their ministry, to impress more forcibly upon their minds the injunction, Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock; is, I think, sufficiently evident from the tenor of the charge. If, therefore, from the great and merciful object of the institution of that ministry,--had it originated only in man,―much obligation to execute it faithfully, would naturally rest upon the mind of the occupant; how far greater would be the sense of it, whenever it should occur to his thoughts, that the Almighty searcher of the hearts, and trier of the reins of men, that immaculate Being "to whom all hearts are open, and all desires known," had honored him, with that dignified, though responsible office; and expected from him a performance of the duties of it, corresponding with the high favor conferred; and the important object for which it was instituted. This sense of obligation would be much increased, from the reflection, that he is indebted to the same gracious and divine Being for the disposition and ability to perform properly the duties of the office, as for the office itself. It is indeed the peculiar province of the HOLY SPIRIT, to prepare the mind and heart of the preacher, to give seasonable and wholesome instruction and counsel; as well as of the hearer, to receive them. Feeling, therefore, as he ought, the immense weight of these obligations, can he be otherwise than powerfully excited to the performance of his duties?

But there is an obligation to discharge them faithfully, of a still higher and more affecting nature; viz., that the Church of Gor, which the elders were appointed by the HOLY GHOST to feed, was purchased with his blood. As the correctness of the reading, in the passage, the Church of GOD, which he hath purchased