vered before many of you, on former occasions, concerning the obstructions that fall in the way to retard the success of a preached Gospel.

I proceed, therefore, in addition to what I have quoted from St. Paul, to say something more concerning the peculiar and appropriated duty of a Chief Pastor of a Christian Church. And here I need only read the Charge you are speedily to hear, from the officiating Bishop, before "the laying on of hands," as it hath been collected from St. Paul, by the pious and learned Fathers of our Church, at the time of the Reformation.

"Give heed unto reading, exhortation and doc"trine. Think upon the things contained in this "Book. Be diligent in them, that the increase comTake "ing thereby may be manifest unto all men. "heed unto thyself, and to doctrine, and be diligent "in doing them; for, by so doing, thou shalt both "save thyself, and them that hear thee. Be to the "Flock of Christ a Shepherd, not a Wolf: Feed "them, devour them not. Hold up the weak, heal "the sick, bind up the broken, bring again the out"casts, seek the lost. Be so merciful, that you be "not too remiss. So minister discipline, that you "forget not mercy; that, when the Chief Shepherd "shall appear, you may receive the never-fading crown of Glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. "Amen."

In what a dignified point of view, are Pastors and Bishops of the Church of Christ, spoken of in Holy Writ! By whatever names they are mentioned, their relation to Christ, is always kept up.

If they are called "the Salt of the earth❞—(Mat. V. 13.) it is a Salt that will not lose its flavour, through Christ.

If they are called Ministers, (1 Cor. IV. 1.) they are the Ministers of Christ; if Labourers, (1 Cor. III. 9.) they are Fellow Labourers with Christ, in his own Vineyard.

If they are called Watchmen, they are Watchmen (Jer. VI. 7.) over the Souls of them, whom Christ died to Save.

If they are called Pastors (Ephes. IV. 11.) they are Pastors of that Flock, whereof Christ is the Chief-Pastor, or Shepherd.

If they are called Stewards, (1 Cor. IV. 1.) they are Stewards of the Mysteries of God, and of Christ's Word.

If they are called Ambassadors, (2 Cor. V. 20.) they are Ambassadors of Christ; and hold their Commissions from an Authority that is Paramount to all human Authority and Power! They derive them from that Power, which governs all things in Heaven, and on Earth; and are declared to be "sent of God, as though God did beseech the world through them, in Christ's stead"—" Be ye reconciled unto God."—

Having, therefore, such high and dignified names bestowed upon us; having our Commission from such a supreme and divine Authority, with such a Promise annexed to it-(" Go ye and teach all nations, and Lo! I am with you, unto the end of the world-they that turn many unto righteousness shall shine as the stars, forever and ever.")-I say, having these sure Promises, from our Omnipotent Master,

that He will be thus with us, to support us in our duty, amidst all trials and sufferings; and that, as the Reward of our Perseverance, He will place us, in the world to come, among those bright Luminaries of Glory, who sit at his right hand, and rejoice in the beatific Vision of His refulgent Presence forever and ever! Let us be strong in Him!

Moreover, Brethren, standing, as I think we may consider ourselves, nearly on the same primitive foundation of Purity and Simplicity, in Church government, and a free Order of things among ourselves, (under our happy civil constitution), as the Apostles and first Christians stood; when they neither courted human authority, or human splendour, nor were courted by them; let us, I say again, be bold and diligent in the name of the Lord, carefully to hear and obey the last part of the Apostle's Charge, namely—

"To watch and to be strong, ready to endure afflictions, and to make full proof of the Gospel ministry; and to convince men that it is from God, and will be supported by Him."

Thus, when it is seen that, according to the measure of Grace which is given them, and of their abilities, the Pastors labour, with all holy Zeal and Diligence, to watch over, to preserve, and duly to feed the Flock, committed to their Charge; it must naturally follow, as an indispensible sacred duty, on the part of the Flock, on the other hand, that they listen to the Voice of the Pastors; that they strengthen their hands, in their labours for the good of the Flock; that they hear the voice of the Shepherds with joy;

and receive it as the voice of the great Shepherd and Bishop of their 'Souls!

The Flock, therefore, is to be under Obedience and Rule, in this great case. They are to keep in mind the words of St. Paul, speaking in the character of a great and faithful Pastor.

"If we have sown unto you Spiritual Things, is it a great thing, or matter, that we shall reap of your carnal, or Temporal things*? For if the Gentiles† have been made partakers of these Spiritual things, (by the grace of the Gospel) it is their duty also to minister unto them (the Pastors) in their Carnal, or Temporal things; while they call them to Happiness and Salvation, in the language of God, from his great Mercy Seat-" Come up hither, and I will shew thee the things that must be hereafter-Come hither, and I will shew thee the Bride, the Lamb's Wife."

My beloved Brethren, and Hearers! Pardon my Zeal here, if it appears warm! It is by the joint efforts, both of Pastors and People, that the chief obstacles to the advancement of Religion, and true practical Holiness, as taught by Christianity, can be overcome, and removed or surmounted.

I am persuaded that I address no person here, who will say to the Seers-" See not, and to the Prophets, prophesy not unto us right things-speak unto us smooth things-prophesy deceits!"

No, Brethren, I know you love, and will endure, Sound Doctrine; and that if any, even under the mask of an Angel from Heavent, were to preach any 1 Cor. Ch. IX. ver. 2. † Rom. Ch. XV. ver. 17, Vide ut antea, Sermon XX, XXI.

other Gospel to you, than that into which you have been baptized, and have received from Christ and his Apostles, through divine Revelation, and the Fathers of our Church, according to its true Reformation; you would say, with St. Paul-" Let Him be Accursed!"

I know likewise, that the plea of many for those itching ears, that heaping up of Teachers, that seeking after new Doctrines, and new Gospels, (or what they affect to consider as the old Gospel, vamped up in a new and a more enticing Garb), is pretended, by these seekers, to be of a conscientious Nature!

As I have said, on other occasions, so I now repeat," That, as my Charity forbids me to pry into the temple of another man's heart, with the presumption of tracing what passes there; I have only to say from St. Matthew*,-" Ye shall know them by their Fruits." Nevertheless, it is not Uncharitable to inquire, what may be the Causes of the great Difference, in the Feelings and Apprehensions of Men; and whence spring the effects produced among them in Hearing the Preached Word? Why it is, that some hear unto Salvation, and others forbear, unto Destruction? Why it is, that the Ears of some are gratified, and the Ears of others still remain in their itching Condition; and all this under the same stated Ministry?

The Reason appears to be-" That the former have submitted their Spirits to the Teaching of the Spirit of God; but the latter, are buoyed up by the Spirit of this World, and the Pride of their own unhallowed Wisdom."

Matt. Ch. VII, ver. 16.