At the same time it cannot be considered as a point so clearly revealed, as that Christians, equally desiring to know and do the will of God, should not, from various circumstances, form different judgments. The author thinks episcopacy scriptural and divinely ordained; but he dare not say that it is exclusively so, lest he be condemning the churches of Christ in Scotland, Germany, America, and other parts of the world, (in which there has manifestly and largely been, and still is, vital Christianity in a high degree,) without the clear declaration of the Scriptures against their system.*

Fathers. Bishop Hall, and Stillingfleet, and Hooker, may be referred to. The genuine Epistles of Ignatius in the beginning of the second century, are in the Author's mind satisfactory and decisive. There are some valuable observations on this subject in Milner's Church History. See vol. i, page 161, and page 518.

He enters fully into the observation of the Rev. Basil Woodd" It has been remarked, that the difference of sentiment which prevails among real Christians, does not respect essential parts of doctrine, but other points of a circumstantial kind, and of subordinate importance. Though I am not an Architect, I can distinguish between a scaffold and a building; and though conscientiously preferring episcopal government as most scriptural, I rejoice to think that all these external concerns are but of a temporal nature, and that the various forms of discipline existing in the visible church, are but so many' modes, which it pleases the great Head of the Church to permit and employ, in elevating the great spiritual building, composed of living stones, which work completed, the scaffolding will be no longer necessary." The remark of Professor Campbell is also calculated to lead all sides to see that this is not among the great essentials of our common christianity. He observes, Nothing can be conceived more absurd in itself, or more contradictory to the declarations of Scripture, than to say that a man's belief and obedience of the gospel, however genuine the one, and however sincere the other, are of no significancy unless he has received his information of the gospel, or been initiated into the church by a proper minister. Into this absurdity those run who make the truth of God's promises depend on circumstantials no where referred to or mentioned in these promises."

It is, however, perfectly clear, and acknowledged on all sides, that God has appointed a distinct, order of men for the ministry of the word, and that he by his Spirit, specially calls them to this office. The Reformers insisted much on this divine calling to the work of the ministry. Bishop Jewell says, "They that enter into the ministry, must be allowed, not of men only, but of God. Therefore, whosoever taketh that charge over the people, must look narrowly into himself, and see whether his calling be of God. If he have not a testimony that God has called him inwardly, all other outward calling is of small purpose."

Such being the divine appointment as to a peculiar order of men set apart for the ministry over Christians in general, it is manifestly very important that each should know and fulfil their duties towards each other. This is a large subject, and as it is but incidentally connected with this work, we can only give a few hints upon it.

We will begin with the office of MINISTERS, and here chiefly confine ourselves to the words of Scripture, which are ever remarkable for brevity, fulness, and authority.

Their CHARACTER must be blameless, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker, nor greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth wel! his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity. For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? Not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them that are without, lest he fall into reproach. 1 Tim. iii, 1--7. And again, St. Paul shews,

compared to AN IMPRESSION MADE BY A SEAL. In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom after that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise: (Eph. i, 13.) sealed unto the day of redemption. The end of sealing is to mark for one's own, by stamping an impression similar to the seal. Thus God's children are by his Spirit made like him in holiness, and receive the assurance that they belong to God, and shall partake of the heavenly inheritance. Eph. i, 14. The blessed Spirit, when truly received, produces all holy dispositions. He humbles the proud heart. He makes the word powerful like a hammer, to break in pieces that which is hard. Jer. xxiii, 29. The great and exceeding precious promises received by faith, fill the heart with love to God, and love to man, and we become partakers of the divine nature. The same Spirit gives a cleansing and sanctifying power to the word, (Eph. v, 26.) and fills the believing hearer with full assurance of hope and joy in the Holy Ghost. The statutes become the rejoicing of the heart, and our heritage for ever. These, and similar holy and happy graces and tempers, are the marks of this Divine seal. O that every reader may be able to discern them in his

own soul !

Such being the gracious character of the work of the Spirit, how invaluable is HEARING THE TRUTH AS

ONE OF THE ORDINARY AND APPOINTED MEANS BY WHICH GOD CONVEYS THIS INESTIMABLE GIFT! This is the way in which God bestows his grace. We receive the promise of the Spirit by the hearing of faith; it is that divinely-instituted plan, with which God's power concurs. It has been observed by Maclaurin, that there are two great principles of

Christianity, distinguishing it from all other religious. "1. That the knowledge of Christ Jesus, the doctrine of God's grace, is the means of turning our souls to God, and of cleansing us from our filthiness and our idols. And then, 2. That though that doctrine be an excellent means of turning us to God; that it is but a means, that it is but an instrument; the efficacy of it depends upon the manifestation of the power of God, that exceeding greatness of power that raises souls from the dead." Both these principles are brought before us, when we are told that the first Christian teachers went to Antioch preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord. Acts xi, 20, 21. This teaches us a most important practical lesson as to what we should expect and desire in hearing. Let us not attend a public ministry from curiosity, custom, love to a favourite preacher, or the mere alarms of conscience; but let us go in obedience to the will of God, hoping to obtain conversion if unconverted, and growth in grace if we have obtained mercy: in short, expecting to receive divine succour and strength in the way of God's appointment. O Christian reader, if you would derive profit in hearing, we beseech you mainly to look for God's help and blessing! No preacher in the world can do you good without God's special grace. While you go to hear, say with the Psalmist, Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. We are ever too forgetful of Him, from whom every good comes. We, poor and insufficient creatures, form a sad estimate of the need and value of his grace. us then, if we really desire spiritual blessings, look more to the Lord, the Spirit, and come to the Christian assembly, hear while in that assembly, and return

Let

from it, in the spirit of prayer. Thus hearing the sermons, though poor in themselves, will be blessed to our spiritual and eternal good.

Thus they of old received the Holy Spirit. Cornelius is directed to send for Peter, who preaches the Gospel to him and those with him; and while Peter was speaking, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. The Apostle Paul appeals to the Galatians, This only would I learn of you; received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Wisdom is described as calling men from sin and ignorance, saying, Turn you at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my Spirit upon you, I will make known my words unto you. God honours the ministry of the word, and the doctrines of salvation, by making them the appointed means of communicating his grace, the very channel through which the waters of life flow down to us.

But do you question whether you may now hope to receive this gift, or ask whether it is still bestowed? We reply, God has declared that he will give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him. He has graciously promised, It shall come to pass in the last days, I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh, a promise belonging to the whole period of the Christian Dispensation, and embracing in the comprehensive terms, all flesh, the whole human race, as St. Peter tells the Jews; the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Do you allege your unworthiness? Remember that the blessing is BESTOWED FREELY. True it is, it cost our Saviour much. He shed his most precious blood, rose from the dead, and ascended on high, that he might receive this gift for the rebellious also. Ps. lxviii,