2 Cor. viii. 23.

"They are the messengers of the churches,

and the glory of CHRIST."

A faithful pastor is the glory of CHRIST, because his whole life is a continual sacrifice to the glory of Him who has sent him. And because CHRIST himself has made him faithful, &c.

A true pastor has but one thing at heart, which is the performance of his duty; and this is that which secures his peace, his confidence, his hope, &c.

1 Tim. i. 3. "That thou mayest charge some that they teach no other doctrine."

This is one of the chief duties of a bishop, to be watchful concerning the purity of the doctrine, that none corrupt it, but that they confine themselves to the truths taught by the apostles, (ver. 4.) that they avoid such as only minister to questions, [disputes] rather than to godly edifying.

1 Tim. iii. 2. "A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, (modest) of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre :-but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; not a novice, lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."

My God, what qualifications are these? And how rash was I to undertake such a work, without sitting down and counting the cost, whether I was able to finish it? Thou only canst supply all my defects, which I beseech Thee to do.

Enable me, I beseech Thee, to come as near as possible to this character; that I may teach the mysteries, defend the faith, maintain the truths of the Gospel; that I may be a pattern to my flock, edify the Church, both by my discourses and example, and hearty zeal for the salvation of souls, and a care to secure my flock from the corruptions of the age. Amen.

Church Government.

Col. iv. 5. "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." Prudence is very necessary in dangerous times; it being no small fault to give occasion to the raising of storms against the Church and her ministers, for want of having a due regard to the times and to the passions of carnal men.

1 Tim. iv. 16. "Take heed unto thyself, and unto thy doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."

That is, endeavour first to establish the kingdom of God in yourself, and then you will be able to do it in your flock, and so both shall be saved.

Matt. xx. 26, 27. "Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister." GOD give me a true and prudent humility; to have nothing of the air of secular governors, to attend the flock of CHRIST as a servant, to look on Him as my pattern, to study His conduct and spirit, to spend and be spent for my flock, that I may never desire to increase my burden, that I may be better qualified to be ministered unto, and that I may never strive to live at ease, in plenty, in luxury, repose, and independence. Amen.

The name of a servant ought to be esteemed honourable to the eye of faith, and a real privilege; since JESUS CHRIST took upon Him the nature of a servant.

Bishops and Priests, (saith St. Ambrose,) are honourable, on account of the sacrifice they offer. The power of the keys, and the exercise of that power; the due use of confirmation, and (previous to that) examination; a strict examination into the learning, lives, and characters, of such as are designed for Holy Orders, are matters of infinite and eternal concern. As also the visitation of parishes, and exercise of Church discipline upon all offenders.

A man may be ruined by those very means which were designed to enable him to discharge his duty with more convenience. And Bishops have too often been put into such easy circumstances, as to forget that they were Bishops.

A Bishop who has more regard to his temporalities, than to the souls of his flock, is fallen into this sad condition.

Matt. xii. 18, 19, &c. "Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; he shall not strive, nor cry, neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench," &c.

How lovely is this meekness of CHRIST; how worthy to be imitated by his ministers! their ministry not being a ministry of pride, contention, imperiousness, and violence; but of humility, peace, mildness, and moderation.

Rev. i. 16.

"And He had in His right hand seven stars." Make me, O JESUS, a shining star in Thy Church; support me by Thy right hand; guide and direct me by Thy light; let me never become a wandering star.

A primitive Bishop will be careful to avoid, as much as possible, worldly equipage and retinue, excess, pomp, and ostentation. To do otherwise would be to establish the kingdom of Satan, which we would destroy; and to destroy the kingdom of JESUS, which we would establish.

Mission.

May I, gracious LORD, take all opportunities of showing my mission, by edifying my neighbour, and showing him the SAVIOUR on which his salvation depends.

Bishops are called angels in the Revelations, intimating that they should have no interest on earth at heart so much as that of the good of the Church and the honour of GOD.

Residence.

Nothing can supply the want of a Pastor's presence.

Intercession for my Flock.

He who bewails not the sins of his people, and does not, by

his own tears, make as it were some amends for their impenitency, is not worthy to be their mediator with GOD.

GOD often grants, to the faith and prayers of others, the conversion of a sinner, who himself doth not think of GOD.

Gracious God, look down in mercy upon the miserable case of these whom I now present before Thee. Touch their hearts most powerfully from above, that they may see, before it be too late, the danger of living without GOD in the world, for JESUS CHRIST's sake. Amen.

For a criminal under the Sentence of Death.

O merciful God, our only help in time of need, hear me, I beseech Thee, for this miserable sinner.

Touch his heart most powerfully from above, that he may give glory to Thee in a full and free confession of his crimes, and of thy justice and mercy in bringing them to light.

Give him a true sense and knowledge of all his sins, and true repentance for them, that they may be done away by thy mercy, and his pardon sealed in heaven before he go hence, and be no

more seen.

Grant that with a firm faith and trust in thy mercy, he may lay hold of thy promises, for JESUS CHRIST's sake, to all that repent and believe.

Look upon the work of thine own hands. Let not his sins obstruct Thy mercy. Suffer him not to overlook this day of visitation, nor to die in his sins.

O blessed JESUS, O powerful Advocate; undertake for this sinner by Thy cross and passion; deliver him from the bitter pain of eternal death, as Thou didst the penitent thief, even at the last hour. Amen.

Briefs.

Consider the uncertainty of human affairs. Who knows whose turn it may be next, to suffer by fire, by loss of friends, sickness, &c. so as to want the charity of others?

At the Lord's Supper.

(Before Service begins.)

May it please Thee, O GOD, who hast called us to this ministry, to make us worthy to offer unto Thee this sacrifice for our own sins and for the sins of Thy people. Accept our service and our persons, through our LORD JESUS CHRIST, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the HOLY GHOST, One GOD world without end. Amen.

O, reject not this people for me and for my sins!

(Upon placing the alms upon the Altar.)

All that we possess is the effect of Thy bounty, O God; and of Thy own do we give Thee. Pardon all our vain expenses; and accept of this testimony of our gratitude to Thee, our benefactor, for the LORD JESUS' sake.

(Upon placing the Elements upon the Altar.)

Vouchsafe to receive these Thy creatures from the hands of us sinners, O Thou self-sufficient GOD!

(Immediately after the Consecration.)

We offer unto Thee, our King and our GoD, this bread and this cup. We give Thee thanks for these and for all Thy mercies; beseeching Thee to send down Thy HOLY SPIRIT upon this sacrifice, that He may make this bread the body of Thy CHRIST, and this cup the blood of thy CHRIST; and that all we, who are partakers thereof, may thereby obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of His passion.

And, together with us, remember, O GOD, for good, the whole mystical body of Thy Son; that such as are yet alive may finish their course with joy; and that we, with all such as are dead in the LORD, may rest in hope and rise in glory, for Thy Son's sake, whose death we now commemorate. Amen.

May I atone unto Thee, O God, by offering to Thee the pure and unbloody sacrifice, which Thou hast ordained by JESUS CHRIST. Amen.