habits to be cultivated with a glad and willing heart, his vow is made in the strength of the Lord God.

But as, without personal holiness, the most imposing array of public acts are little worth, the candidate now binds himself to frame and fashion his own life and those of his household according to the standard of the Gospel, so that they be wholesome examples to the flock of Christ. And having finally pledged himself to render due obedience to his ordinary, and other ministers bearing jurisdiction over him, he receives, on his bended knees the sacred title to the deaconship in these memorable words, the bishop laying his hands on his head: "Take thou authority to execute the office of a deacon in the Church of God, committed under thee, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Take thou authority to read the Gospel in the Church of God, and to preach the same, if thou be licensed thereto by the bishop."

With these words, which, to the last moment of life, must thrill in the ears of him that has knelt before God at such a moment, and received such a commission, there is delivered into his hands by the bishop, the volume of the New Testament; and the body and blood of Christ being devoutly received, in token of fidelity from man, and enabling grace from God, the incense of prayer ascends, that the servant of the Lord, who is now offering himself, may be constant in his ministrations, humble and modest, and having a ready will to observe all spiritual discipline; that so he may "purchase to himself a good degree,” (1 Tim. iii. 13,) and be found worthy of being called into the higher ministries of Christ.

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CHAPTER XXV.

ORDINATION SERVICES-CONTINUED.

THE ORDERING OF PRIESTS. THE CONSECRATION OF BISHOPS.

Ir has already been observed that the word Priest is a contraction of presbyter, and that in its proper signification it denotes an elder. Ministers of Christ's religion never are called in the New Testament by the name which alone designates a sacrificer; the word in the Greek signifying such, never once being applied to them by any of the inspired penmen, or any of the most ancient Christian writers, which it undoubtedly would have been, had they succeeded to the Jewish priesthood in the office of offering sacrifice.

This order has always had the honour to be styled "brethren to the bishops." This way of expression was begun by St. Peter, whom the bishops in all times have copied after: "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder," 1 Pet. v. 1. They were also counsellors to the bishops upon the most important affairs, in which they were engaged. The bishops consulted them about the qualifications of persons who were to be ordained. Their advice was likewise taken in animadverting upon the faults of the clergy, in suspending or deposing them; and they generally gave their votes in councils.

THE EPISTLE in this office describes the rich diversity of gifts which adorned the Church in its early state, and is followed by an extract from one of THE GOSPELS, either describing the magnitude of the harvest, and the fewness of the labourers, or the duties of a Christian. shepherd, in imitation of Christ the great Pastor of the fold.

; one

To prevent any misconception or misapplication of the word "hireling" in this Gospel, it is necessary to remark, that it does not mean one who performs the office or duty of a minister for hire or reward; for the apostle, or rather our blessed Lord himself, says, “The labourer is worthy of his hire," or "reward,” 1 Tim. v. 18; Luke x. 7. In an established country, and indeed in any country, where the teacher must be supported by the taught, whether the emolument be of a public or private nature, the man who is duly appointed, and performs his duty to his flock, is a true pastor and no hireling. "Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel," 1 Cor. ix. 14. But he is an hireling, in the debased sense of the expression, who endeavours to make a gain of godliness, a mercenary, who teaches for doctrines the commandments of men who will flee when the wolf cometh, who will not stand in the gap, who neither possesses faith to fulfil the duties of his office, nor a desire to protect his sheep. Teachers of false doctrines, self-appointed and self-approved preachers, fanatical declaimers, those who intrude themselves into the chair of instruction under hypocritical or false pretences; all these unquestionably are hirelings. (See 2 Pet. ii. 1, 2.) Another order of hirelings are those who are ignorant of their profession, whether in learning or in faith, and are totally unqualified to perform its duties; "desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm," 1 Tim. i. 7; "intruding themselves into those things which they have not seen, vainly puffed up by their fleshly mind.” Col. ii. 18. Nor shall we less call those hirelings whose moral conduct is as defective as their religious belief.

AN ADDRESS is next delivered by the bishop To THE

CANDIDATES, of a most instructive, arousing, and consolatory character. They are reminded in this of the dignity and importance of the office, unto which they are called as messengers, watchmen, stewards of the Lord. It is deeply impressed on them, how they must teach, premonish, feed, provide for the Lord's family; what a charge lies upon them, "to seek for Christ's sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for his children in this naughty world, that they may be saved through Christ for ever." They are intreated to have always printed in their remembrance how great a treasure is committed to their charge-sheep purchased at no less a cost than their shepherd's life; and what an honour, in attendance on the spouse, the body of Christ, is granted them! How terrific is the admonition following, (yea, after many years have rolled away,) that if the Church, or any member, shall take hurt by their negligence, the fault is great, the punishment which will ensue, horrible. They must never cease their care, labour and diligence, until all intrusted to their charge are brought to "such ripeness of faith, and perfectness of knowledge, as that no room shall be left for error in religion, or viciousness in life."

Having thus fully exhibited the nature, the dignity, and the responsibility of the ministerial office, the remainder of this heart-searching exhortation consists of advice in girding themselves for their high duty. Most solemnly are they reminded, that a will and ability answerable to such a call, can come from God alone, and must earnestly be prayed for; that such a work as the salvation of man can in nowise be accomplished, but through the remedy of the divine word. Hence the infinite obligation to read and learn the Scriptures, and to frame their manners, and those of all pertaining to them, according to the revealed

standard. Hence ought they to set aside, as much as possible, all worldly cares and studies, and apply themselves wholly to this one thing. Thus, by constant weighing of the Holy Scriptures, and continual prayer to God, through the mediation of the only Saviour, they are encouraged to hope that they shall wax riper in the ministry, and become wholesome and godly examples for the people to follow. As was the candidate for the office of deacon, so he that seeketh the priesthood is required publicly to declare his motives, his faith, his resolutions of obedience, before obtaining admission. He avows his conviction that he has been called according to the Lord's will. He professes belief in the fullness and certainty of Holy Scripture, resolving, by the grace of God, to teach nothing, as necessary for salvation, but what may be. concluded and proved thereby. His vow is uttered, that he will minister the doctrine, the sacraments, and the discipline of Christ, according to the commands of the Lord, interpreted by the Church. The Lord being his helper, he binds himself to drive away all erroneous doctrine; and both unto the sick and unto the whole, within his cure, to use public and private monition and exhortation, as occasion shall be given. In prayer and meditation, laying aside the study of the world and the flesh, he promises, in the divine: strength, to be diligent to exhibit a safe example to his flock, to promote order, quietness, and peace, and to submit to the godly judgment of those invested with ecclesiastical authority over him. THEN DOES THE BISHOP PRAY the Almighty to grant him strength and power to fulfil these high duties, and accomplish the work begun in him:-and silence being kept, that the congregation may secretly commend the candidates to the grace of God, the descent of the Spirit, in His sanctifying gifts, is desired in words simple and vener