but the absurdity of Erastianism would at once appear.

The church functionary is also commanded to attend continually to his department. 1st Tim. iv. 15. "Give thyself wholly to them." Of course, some are provided (exclusively of the civil magistrate) whose business it is to manage ecclesiastical concerns. But if this also was formally the magistrate's official duty, why should others belonging to another department be appointed? Farther, how could the magistrate attend continually upon this very thing, viz. his own official duty, which is purely civil, and at the same time attend to another concern, which is not civil? Common sense teaches, that if he attend continually upon the one, the other will of course be neglected.

7. The civil magistrate should be a keeper of both tables of the law of God. Deut. xvii. 18, 19. "And it shall be when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of the law in a book, out of that which is before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law, and these statutes to do them." How can he be God's minister, if he be regardless of his law? And where can he find such a constitution, as that provided for him by the Spirit of infinite wisdom? By this he is indispensably bound, in his official capacity, as well as his subjects are, in their private individual capacity. But as we have been endeavouring to characterize the civil branch, from which protection to the church may be expected, it will be proper in the

VI. place, to characterize the ecclesiastical

branch, which is of right entitled to this protection. And,

1. Her constitution should be agreeable to, and founded on, the word of God. Heb. viii. 5. "See (says God) thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.' This suits every possible purpose of edification. 2d Tim. iii. 16, 17. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

2. Her officers should be regularly introduced to ministerial functions, by the presbyterial imposition of hands. 1st Tim. iv. 14: "Neglect not the gift that is in thee by prophecy, and the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." The awful catastrophe of Korah, Dathan, &c., should be viewed as a beacon to all, who, by their ambitious dispositions, would be in danger of splitting on this tremendous rock.

Christ denominates those who come not in by the door, "thieves and robbers;" and in Matt. vii. 15, commands us to "beware of false prophets, who come to us in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves." Let none expect to profit by their ministrations. "I have not sent them, (saith the Lord,) yet they ran: therefore, they shall not profit this people.'

3. She should "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." Jude 3, and 1st Tim. vi. 20: "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy care." In doing this, as with faces of flint and brows of brass, they should be explicit, bold, and valiant, whether the generation unto which they are sent will hear or forbear. There is no

neutrality in Christ's service. Judges v. 23: "Curse ye Meroz, (saith the angel of the Lord,) curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof: because they came not up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty."

The very light of nature suggests the propriety of being plain and explicit with our brethren of mankind. Should we see our neighbour in danger of falling into a pit, where destruction would be inevitable, would we not violate the natural laws of humanity, if we did not warn him of his danger? Nay, would we not, to a certain degree, be considered, by the divine law, as accessary to his ruin? Of infinitely more importance is the salvation of the soul. Says our Lord, "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

To faithful testimony-bearing, the following things are necessary: 1st. A just, summary, and clear statement of the truths contained in the sacred oracles. 2d. A clear refutation of the opposite errors, and especially those that unhinge the present truth, or word of Christ's patience. 3d. A life and conversation becoming the gospel; without which, the other two are only a burlesque upon the religion of Jesus.

4. Her discipline should be impartial. 1st Tim. v. 20: "Them that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear." This is to be done with singleness of heart, and a deep sense of our responsibility to the church's Head. Hence, verse 21: "I charge thee, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one another, doing nothing by partiality." The rich should have no preference above the poor. 1st Tim. vi. 17: “Charge them that are rich in this

world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us all things richly to enjoy."

5. Her worship should be pure, and free from all human inventions. 1st Tim. iv. 16: "Take heed to thyself and to thy doctrine." It is a matter of vast importance, not only from the consideration that it incurs the vengeance of Almighty God upon the innovators, but also because it poisons the souls of men. It should be therefore such, and such only, as God has commanded. "In vain, (says Christ,) do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matt. xv. 9. Those who add to, or diminish from the volume of God's book, may abide the awful consequences. Rev. xxii. 18, 19.

Query: Is it not a matter of importance to know whether the singing an "Imitation of David's Psalms," in any sense incurs the above penalty?

6. Her ministry should be learned and pious. Without the former, they will only betray, through ignorance, their cause into the hands of the enemy; without the latter, they will pollute the sacred sanctuary.

Consider, for a moment, what a ridiculous figure the ambassador sent to negotiate with a foreign nation would make, who could not read his master's commission. Would such a one be qualified to be an ambassador to an earthly potentate? Is not the negotiation of the King of kings much more important, than the adjustment of the differences between states and empires?

When Christ called his ministers in an extraordinary manner, he gave them extraordinary qualifications: and among these we find the gift

of tongues. In 1st Tim. i. 7, those are severely reprehended, who presume to enter on an office, without due qualifications, "desiring to be teachers of the law, yet understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm." Such are the clouds of illiterate, methodistic locusts, which darken the horizon of these states. Without abilities, natural or acquired, they pour forth like torrents over the face of the earth, and lead aside the simple and unwary. The infuriated zeal with which they propagate their poisonous doctrines, resembles much the character of the Scribes and Pharisees, mentioned, Matt. xxiii. 15: "Who compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, he is rendered two-fold more the child of hell than themselves."

Without a due measure of learning, how can they meet the cavillings of deists, and crafty impostors, and so act the part of an Evangelist, required, Tit. i. 9, namely, to be able to convince the gainsayers, and put adversaries to silence?

1st

7. They should be exemplary in life and conversation. Even before they are clothed with official character, it is required that they "have a good report of them that are without." Tim. iii. 7. And to this purpose is the benediction of Moses to the sacerdotal tribe. Deut. xxxiii. 8: "And of Levi, he said, Let thy Urim and thy Thummim be with thy Holy One." Let illumination of mind, and rectitude and integrity of character, be the portion of him who is devoted to sacred functions. The influence which their example will have on the generation is of great

moment.

The proverb," Like priests, like people," generally holds good. Hence it is said of this same