many others which might be named-so artfully combined a little truth with much error-extremely difficult to be separated, and calculated to ensnare the simple. Teachers of such mixed sentiments, however, are frequently found to assert, "It requires much thought and deep investigation to understand their system." If this be so, then, I need no further proof that such system is not the gospel of the Lord Jesus; for that is so plain as to suit the comprehension of the poor and unlettered. The way-faring men, though fools, shall not err therein. Isaiah xxxv. 8. Such teachers likewise are often found to say, "They differ from others only in terms and in modes of expression." But to this I will reply, Is not the gospel a form of sound words? If a man, therefore, be sound in the faith of Christ, why not use the language of the gospel? Is there a necessity to coin a set of technical terms to make the gospel more intelligible, or more elegant? By no means, the bible outvies every other volume for perspicuity and solidity of expression. Let us, then, take our system from God's word only, and study to be bible preachers. The poor will then have the gospel preached unto them; and the rich, if they refuse to hear, will be left without excuse.

III. IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE GOSPEL it becomes a minister to be found faithful. Paul, when administering the Lord's Supper to the church at Corinth, assured them, I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you. 1 Cor. xi. 23. If we look around the different denominations of christian churches, we are obliged to lament the diversity of modes in administering Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Surely the same Lord cannot be the author of such contrariety; neither can we believe the sacred page to be so obscure that the path of duty cannot be deterinined. Here it is we have to lament the habit of education and the force of custom! Instead of entering into controversy upon this subject, I shall only add, that it is the indispensable duty of every minister of Jesus Christ so to investigate the nature, subjects, mode and intention of the ordinances of the gospel, that he may attain a degree of solid assurance that he hath, with Paul, received them of the Lord. Thus,

when called to the discharge of duty, he will appear in the presence of God and man with the most solemn consciousness, and, without reserve, administer both Baptism and the Lord's Supper in their primitive excellence, without mutilation, addition or diminution, for the edification of the people, and for the glory of his Master.

IV. The fidelity of a christian minister is expressed in his attention to THE SOULS OF MEN. They watch for souls as they that must give account; and it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. Seeing, says Paul, we have received this ministry, we faint not, but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Cor. iv. 1, 2. It is to be lamented that many preachers deliver discourses, judiciously composed, and really sound; but, for want of personal, pointed address, they become uninteresting to their hearers. Our Lord preached To, as well as BEFORE, his hearers; and all his primitive disciples followed his example, not courting the smiles, nor fearing the frowns of men. The truth of God is pointed; like the rays of the sun, passing in every direction; suited to every order and to every character among mankind; and a faithful minister will give every one his portion in due season. Besides the public preaching of the gospel,

a servant of Christ will find abundant occasion to evince his fidelity to the people of his charge, by visiting the sick, comforting the sorrowful, exhorting the negligent, and in reproving the disobedient. To discharge such duties aright requires great stedfastness, and will sometimes awaken the finer sensibility of the soul. There are tempers which will not bear reproof. It is not uncommon that a man of opulence and influence in a church may so far step aside as to need admonition. The minister's support may materially depend upon that man's bounty. In such a case, so to discharge the incumbent duty as to be free from partiality and from guile, needs that dence and fidelity which none but Christ can give.

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V. As a minister of Christ must be found faithful to the souls of others, he is under indisputable obligation

to be faithful to HIS OWN SOUL. O Timothy, said Paul, keep that which is committed to thy trust. If to keep the heart with all diligence be a scriptural duty, binding upon all who fear the Lord, how much more so upon the ministers of Jesus. Paul kept under his body, and brought it into subjection, lest that, by any means, when he had preached to others, he himself should be a cast-away. If a man be unfaithful to his own soul, and suffer his passions to run wild, he is, of all persons, least capable to watch over, and to cultivate the minds of others. How sad must be the lamentation of him who, after, perhaps, many years ministry, is necessitated to say, They made me the keeper of the vineyards, but mine own vineyard have I not kept. Sol. Song i. 6. Besides preaching, ministers are to give themselves to reading, to meditation, and to prayer. They are to study to show themselves workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. To these private duties, if a man be found faithful, he will not have one inch of time to throw away. He who waiteth upon his master shall be honoured; and a minister who is faithful to his Lord, to his church, and to his own soul, finds indescribable pleasures in the discharge of his duty, and for which he has the noblest motives for activity and zeal.

VI. The last instance I shall name, in which the minister of Christ evinces the fidelity of his heart, is his attachment to the CAUSE OF RELIGION under every discouragement, and in every storm of his life. It is easy to put on the harness of the gospel, but very difficult to maintain the field of battle, and fight manfully under the banner of Jesus. Ah! how wisely hath the Lord concealed from our view the variety of future events! Could we, my brethren, have drawn aside the curtain of time, when first we entered the ministry, and have realized the afflictions which have attended our path, we should have shrunk from our duty, and have desired excuse. In addition to the sorrows which ministers have in common with other men, they meet with many great and sore afflictions in the course of their ministry, which put their patience, their faith, and their fidelity to the trial. Great was the success of Paul in his preaching at Galatia; and

so dear was he to the people, that they would have plucked out their own eyes, and have given them to him. But, so precarious is human applause, they afterwards apostatized from his ministry, and accounted him their enemy! Much good was done by Paul in Asia, and many there professed christianity; but eventually the apostle had to lament, all they of Asia have forsaken me. When that great man was called upon publicly to answer for his faith before the governor, and stood in need of support and consolation, no man stood with him. The church at Corinth received the power of the gospel by Paul, and afterwards called him a deceiver, and untrue. And what a long list of complicated sufferings, which befel the apostle, is recorded in his letter to the church at Corinth! 2 Cor. xi. Yet, under all these, Paul proved the fidelity of his heart, and boldly exclaimed, None of these things move me; neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts xx. 24. And it is very remarkable that none of the ungrateful, malicious treatment Paul received from those who once professed themselves his most attentive followers and warmest friends, ever soured his temper, or provoked him to anger! On the contrary, his life was a comment upon his own speech to the Corinthian church-I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 2 Cor. xii. 15. Blessed is the man who copies so admirably the precept and the example of the meek and lowly Jesus! The recital of these things, my young brethren, may appear pleasing to you, and afford you an animating stimulus to zeal; but the present advantages of such apostolical fidelity are appropriate only to those of us who have borne the heat and the burden of the day. Yes, for us, we hereby learn, that the failures of friendship, the apostacy of hearers, the variations in providence, and the extreme discouragements we meet with, are ministers' fare; they are what our Master hath foretold, and what his most favoured servants have realized; of course, we receive them as marks of honour, and not of disgrace; and, though faint, yet pur¬ suing!

Thus, having attempted to show you the four principal marks which characterize the minister of Christ; and having examined the expressions of his fidelity to the person of his Master-the truths of the gospel-the ordinances of the church-the souls of men-to his own soul-and to the cause of the gospel under all the sufferings attendant on his ministry, I shall beg leave to close with a few brief addresses.

To the CHURCH and CONGREGATION who statedly worship under this Roof.

From many years intercourse I have enjoyed with you, I have been a witness both of your sorrow and your joy. Great was the unity and prosperity you enjoyed under the labours of my dear young brother, your late pastor.* His removal from hence to a distant part was an event as unexpected as it was affecting, and which has called for submission to God's pleasure. I presume to hope that God hath now so far appeared for you as to present you a teacher, that you may no longer be destitute of the public means of edification. My heart's desire is, that this dispensation of Providence may be succeeded with copious showers of grace, to produce an harvest of souls, and enable you to arise in the beauties of holiness, to the joy of your hearts, and to the glory of our Lord!

My BRETHREN in the MINISTRY,

On this occasion you will accept my congratulation on your progress and prosperity in the gospel to this day. Hitherto the Lord hath helped us! However unworthy the protecting care of our God, he hath carried us through the fire of temptation and through the water of adversity, amidst unnumbered foes. It is owing to the springs of his grace we have been preserved from departing from his cause, and are yet desirous of going forward in the discharge of our duty. Let the observations made in this discourse, on the characteristics of a minister of Christ, aid us to examine our souls, and to consolidate our hope.

*The Rev. THOMAS MONTAYNE, removed to Southampton, Pennsylvania,