nabas and Saul were ordained by the church in Antioch. Acts xiii. 1, 2, 3, "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers, as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the holy ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." The elders in the church at Antioch in Pisidia, were ordained by Paul and Barnabas, Acts xiv. 23, "And when they had ORDAINED them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they believed." The elders in Crete were ordained by Titus. Titus i. 5, "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ORDAIN elders in every city, as I had appointed thee."

Enquirer.-According to this account who ought to ordain elders in the churches, or to travel and preach?

Christian.--The right of ordaining belongs to the church, and every minD

ister whom the church appoints to ordain others.

Enquirer.---In what manner were elders ordained according to the New Testament?

Christian.---It was done in a church meeting, by fasting, prayer, and laying hands on them, with giving them the hands of fellowship. The account of

those who were ordained to travel and preach is recorded in Acts xiii. 3, "And when they had fasted, and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." The manner of elders being ordained in the church at Antioch, is recorded in Acts xiv. 23, "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord on whom they believed." This is the simple account of ordaining elders in the New Testament, which is as different from common ordination as Christ is from Antichrist.

Enquirer...What do you think of the manner of ministers being ordained among the different denominations at the present day?

Christian.-I think and know it to be a part of the man of sin, which belongs to mystery Babylon; the great whore which sitteth on many waters. How different is the practice from the scriptures! A council, a FEAST, instead of a fast, a Popish parade, a pompous sermon, a flashy charge, and a formal hand of fellowship, with many other highly esteemed abominations; such as installing, reinstalling, reorganizing, investing, and an abundance of such trumpery, which is not confined to the Romish, Episcopalian, and Congregational clergy, but has even extended itself to the Baptist clergy, who have mingled themselves among the heathens, and learnt their ways.

Enquirer. How are the deacons ordained or appointed to their work?

Christian. The deacons were ordained by prayer and laying on of hands. Acts vi. 6, "Whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them."

SEVENTH ENQUIRY.

CONCERNING WHAT CHRIST'S MINISTERS PREACHED TO
THE WORLD, BEING SENT BY HIM.

Enquirer.-I WISH to know what the ministers of Christ preached to the world, and what they now ought to preach, to obey what Christ commands them ?

Christian.--The substance of the doctrine of Christ which he commanded his ministers to preach to the inhabitants of the earth, is contained in six particulars; called the principles of the doctrine of Christ. Heb. vi. 1,2---1. Repentance from dead works---2. Faith towards God---3. Doctrine of baptisms---4. Laying on of hands-5. Resurrection of the dead---6 Eternal judgment.---The ministers of Christ in ancient days told the wicked, they must repent of their wickedness, they told the unbelieving to believe, they told the believers to be baptized, they laid their hands on the baptized and they received the Holy Ghost; they told those who received the Holy Ghost, that they should rise at the resurrection of the just; that they should stand in the judgment, and live

forever afterwards. They told the world that if they remained impenitent and unbelieving, God would raise them at the resurrection of the unjust, and call them to an account at the day of judgment, and there punish them with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power.

Enquirer.-Were they commanded to preach these things to all men?

Christian. Yes, to all without exception; Christ said, "preach the gospel to every creature." "Now he commandeth all men every where to repent."

Enquirer.-What were they to preach to those who were believers?

Christian.-What is recorded in the New Testament directed to the saints, which is summed up in this, "to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ.