Pastoral Office," to guide the minds of enquirers to the scriptural Pastor, and to assist those who wish to form their character after the earliest and purest shepherds of the flock of Christ.

And such is the constitution of the Christian church, that it will be always needful that there be in it true and lawful Pastors; not only for the rightful administration of God's holy word and sacraments, but also for the one orderly government thereof, and the dispensing of wholesome discipline The flock committed to their charge, requiring all tender care, vigilant inspection, and indulgent provision. That such shepherds are requsite, is confirmed by many precepts and examples in scripture.

"The Pastoral Office" is one of ordinary and perpetual obligation in the church. Jeremiah represents the Almighty as promising to give to the church, Pastors according to his own heart, which should feed the flock with knowledge and understanding; and in Peter, the Pastors are commanded to feed the flock of God which is among them; taking the oversight thereof; not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but ensamples to the flock, that when the chief Shepherd shall appear, they may receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

The term Pastor is derived from the Latin word, which signifies (as is seen in the above quotations), a shepherd, one that oversees, manages, and feeds a flock. The term is one of great amplitude of meaning, and suggests many

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thoughts in reference to the "Pastoral" work. A shepherd "knows his sheep and is known of" them. The shepherd has a fold of safety for his flock; he judges between cattle and cattle; between sheep and goats; between fat and lean; strong and weak; healthy and diseased; orderly and disorderly. He must account for his flock: whether he has lost any by carelessness, or destroyed any by cruelty. He must go before his flock, and lead them into green pastures and beside the still waters; and his joy and happiness must be to see them thrive.

The term Shepherd or Pastor is frequently applied to God the Father, to Jesus Christ, and also to kings. The Psalmist says, "The Lord is my shepherd." Christ is called the shepherd and bishop of souls: he himself says, "I am the good shepherd, and I give my life for the sheep." King David is called a shepherd; and Mesha, king of Moab, was "a sheep-master, and rendered unto the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs, and a hundred thousand rams, with the wool."

Pastors are also called Presbuteroi, elders, either from their age, or because of the gravity of their manners and carriage; and also episkopoi, bishops, superintendents,

or overseers.

The general term to distinguish the ministry from the laity is kleros, clergy; either because God is their only portion or lot, or because they are peculiarly his portion.

In law, they are termed Sacerdotes; and by title, Reverend; because of their exclusive consecration to

the holy and awfully responsible work of reconciling men to God, and bringing them into conformity to Him; so that the first Christians "esteemed them highly in love for their work's sake."

THE PASTORAL OFFICE.

CHAPTER I.

THE ORIGIN OF THE PASTORAL OFFICE.

"Whatever gladdens the heart of men or angels, with any real or satisfactory joy, comes from heaven. It is a portion of the pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty; a ray issuing from the brightness of everlasting life."-BLAIR.

1. CHRISTIANITY employs various and numerous instrumentalities; it says to all, "Work in my vineyard;" "Be not weary in well doing;" "To do good, and communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

2. But Christianity has also established a regular order of labourers; who are to be wholly devoted to it, and employed continually in promoting it, "To preach the word; to be instant in season and out of season.

3. The "Pastoral Office" is so dissimilar to any prior sacred office, that it may be said to have originated with Christianity.

The priesthood and service of the temple were principally typical of Christ and his work; unless we may consider the Levites' offering up incense and blessing the people as typical of a part of the work of Christian ministers; but the builders of the temple, and those who digged the stones out of the quarry, and squared and fitted them for use, more fully typified the work of the Christian ministry. Some of the prophets came nearest to this office; they were the voice of God, and frequently had a message from God to the people; and some of them taught the people; as Ezra, who read the scriptures to the people and gave them the meaning of it; and so the apostles sometimes term preaching, prophecying; but, after all, the "Pastoral Office" has so many peculiarities, that it may be considered as originating with the Christian system.

4. The "Pastoral Office" derives its authority from Christ, and may be termed a divine legation. The twelve appear to have been first called to be disciples, and then after they had been with their Master for several years, were chosen to be his apostles. After the resurrection, our Lord reinstated Peter (who had, by denying Christ, forfeited his office), thrice interrogating him, "Simon Peter, lovest thou me? The third time, Peter answering, "Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee;" was then commissioned to feed Christ's sheep, and his lambs; and unto him were given the keys of the kingdom, to open the gospel dispensation, and the church of Christ to Jews and Gentiles. The general