to give; that I may faithfully perform all the duties belonging to my state. Amen.

Whoever is associated to the Priesthood of CHRIST, ought in imitation of Him, to sacrifice himself for the advantage of His Church, and for all the designs of GOD.

ye

shall not be so;

Luke xxii. 26. "But but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve." A bishop does not know his office in the Church, if he pretends to distinguish himself by power, imperiousness, and grandeur; or by any other way than by humility, and by a great concern for souls. Marks of distinction are rather a burthen, which he bears out of necessity, but complains of them secretly to God. He considers himself as the servant, not as the Lord of souls. Even JESUS CHRIST made Himself our pattern in this.

Translation of Bishops and Pastors.

Self-love is too often at the bottom, and not the glory of GoD or the good of souls. When men's labours are attended with tolerable success, yet, because either they can better their temporal condition, or think that a more public station would be more suitable to their great capacities, they leave their station for one more full of dangers, without any prospect of being more serviceable to God or to His Church, and the souls of men; not considering that this is the voice of pride, self-love, and covetousness, and an evil example to others, to whom we do, or should, preach humility, as the very foundation of Christianity.

The greater share we have in the authority of JESUS CHRIST, the greater must we expect to have in His sufferings; the cross being the reward of faithful pastors.

To leave a clergy and a people to whom one is perfectly well known, to go to another to whom one is a stranger, and this for the sake of riches, which are supposed to have been renounced,this was unknown in the first ages of Christianity.

He is but the vain image of a Pastor, an idle shepherd, who chooses to abandon his flock, and leave them to the conduct of

those who have no concern for them, and entrust the salvation of those souls to others, for whom he himself is responsible to God. He may be learned, he may be employed, &c. but he cannot be a good shepherd.

John ix. 34.

thou teach us?

"Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost And they cast him out."

This is the character of a wicked pastor ;—to treat their flock with imperiousness, and ill-language; to be impatient to be told their duty, and to be over-hasty in turning men out of communion, and breaking unity.

From the time a pastor is mercenary, he has an indifferency for the interests of CHRIST and his Church, and is ready to give all up upon the prospect of worldly honour and advantage.

On the other hand, nothing renders a pastor more amiable in the sight of GOD, or draws down more graces and blessings, than contempt of earthly things, and of the conveniences of life, that he may approve himself a faithful minister of CHRIST.

He lays down his life, who lays down the love thereof, for his flock.

John x. 37. "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not."

Since JESUS CHRIST put his doctrine upon this issue, let me not expect to be his minister, if I do not show forth in my life, the works becoming such a person.

A minister of state talks of nothing but of the interests of his prince, &c. So should we, if this were most at our hearts.

John xiii. 20. "He that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me." Acts vi. 2. "It is not reason that we should leave the word of GOD, and serve tables."

That is, spiritual affairs must not be left for the sake of temporal.

They who are the first in authority, ought to be the first in discharging their duty, and in setting a good example to others. 2 Cor. iv. 5. "Ourselves your servants for JESUS' sake." Anair of imperiousness does not become a servant.

2 Cor. viii. 23.

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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

confidence, his hope, &c.

peace, his

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.

Mat. xx. 26, 27.

your minister;

"Whosoever will be great among you, let him be 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