mental, under the divine blessing, in accomplishing
all the happy Reformations which have, at any time,
blessed the church? Who have been instrumental
in forming new and thriving congregations; in re-
storing weak and declining ones; in healing eccle-
siastical divisions; in promoting happy revivals of
religion; in transforming an ignorant, unpolished,
and heathen population, into an enlightened, order-
ly, and pious community; in raising the standard of
intellect; in promoting the growth of knowledge;
in encouraging and regulating the education of
youth; in diffusing a spirit of sound morality; in
teaching men the rights of conscience, and extend-
ing a love of civil and religious liberty;-in a word,
in promoting the reign of truth, order, and happiness,
in Church and State? To these questions, if I mis-
take not, the voice of history returns a very un-
equivocal response. In particular, the more closely
you scrutinize the history of the Waldenses and
Albigenses, in remoter periods; and of the Protes-
tant churches of England, France, Geneva, Ger-
many, Holland, Scotland, and New England, in
more modern times, the more clearly you will find
them to speak a language in perfect harmony with
the great principle which I maintain: viz. THAT NO

CHURCH WAS EVER RUINED, OR ESSENTIALLY INJUR-
ED, BUT BY HER OWN MINISTERS; OR SIGNALLY
BLESSED, BUT THROUGH A REVIVAL OF THEIR ZEAL

AND FIDELITY.

If the foregoing representation be correct, then we may infer,

1. That the Ministerial Office is the most INTE

RESTING, the most RESPONSIBLE, the most AWFUL UNDER HEAVEN. Every minister of the gospel bears a resemblance to his Master in this respect, that he is set for the rise and fall of many in Israel. What HE is, the portion of the church with which he is connected, will probably be. Most other men may go through life without exerting such a vital influence, both for time and eternity. But on his character, example, spirit, and preaching are continually suspended the everlasting realities of salvation or perdition, and that to an extent which no human arithmetick can calculate. He does not deliver a sermon, or take a step, or live an hour, which may not take hold of heaven or hell. To him the "ark of God" is committed, and an unhallowed touch may draw down destruction, not only on himself, but on thousands. Can a candidate for the ministry think of this, and not tremble? Is not this a charge weighty enough, and momentous enough in its consequences, to make even an angel tremble? No wonder that some great and good men have shrunk from the thought of accepting this office out of pure conscientiousness. And, let me add, that that youth who, in contemplating this office, does not look forward to it with a sacred awe; who does not sit down, and solemnly "count the cost" of his undertaking; and, while he reposes with confidence in the power and faithfulness of his God, does not often ask himself, with the most tender and prayerful solicitude-Who is sufficient for these things?-discovers but little acquaintance either with his own heart, or with the magnitude and awfulness of

*

the trust which he seeks. But, while I say this, in fidelity to you, my young friends, I must also, in fidelity to my Master, say-Let no young man who sincerely loves Christ and the souls of men; who earnestly desires the gospel ministry; and to whom the great Head of the church opens the regular door of entrance into the office-let no such young man say, "The work is so awful, that I dare not venture upon it." Of every such youth it may be said, "The Lord hath need of him ;" and for discharging the duties of this high trust, he may safely cast himself on the power and grace of Him who said concerning his ministers-Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

2. From the view which has been taken of this subject we may infer, how VARIOUS, EXTENSIVE, AND DIFFICULT OF ATTAINMENT, are the QUALIFICATIONS which fit any man to be useful, and, especially, in any eminent degree, useful, in the ministerial office! -The man who undertakes to instruct hundreds, and, perhaps, thousands, of the learned as well as the ignorant, in the most important of all knowledge:-the man who offers himself as an expounder of the Bible, the most difficult book, in some respects, in the world, to be understood and explained :—the man who proposes to act as a spiritual guide to immortal souls; to enlighten the perplexed; to counsel the tempted; to satisfy the doubting; to silence the bold and literary infidel; to refute the learned and ingenious heretick; and to stop the mouth of the artful caviller:-the man who undertakes to be a watchman on the walls of Zion, to discern when dan

E

ger is approaching; to estimate its nature and magnitude, and to give warning accordingly :-the man, in a word, who is preparing to go forth into the church, and the world, as an adviser, a guide, and a helper in all that is good; as a centre of light, and counsel, and instruction, and consolation, and holy activity to thousands ;-surely such a man ought to have many qualifications which do not belong, and are not necessary, to common christians. What various, and extensive knowledge; especially, what familiar acquaintance with scripture; what deep and ardent piety; what prudence; what knowledge of the world and of the human heart; what command of his own spirit; what zeal; what patience; what capacity for labour; what diligence; what perseverance, are indispensable here! That no man without UNFEIGned and even aRDENT PIETY ought to engage in the duties of this office, is conceded, even by those who have no piety themselves. But there may be truly pious men, who are, nevertheless, totally unqualified for the ministerial work. No ignorant man; no strikingly weak man; no imprudent man; no habitually indolent man; no rash, headstrong, turbulent, contentious man, is fit to be a minister, even if we could suppose him to have the piety of an angel.

3. From the representation which has been given, we may infer, that candidates for the holy ministry

OUGHT TO BE IN NO HASTE TO TERMINATE THEIR PREPARATORY STUDIES, AND TO ENTER ON THE AC

TIVE DUTIES OF THE SACRED office. When we reflect on the various attainments and qualifications

which are indispensable to the able and faithful discharge of ministerial duties; how much digested knowledge, sacred and profane; how much christian experience; how much familiarity with christian casuistry; how much self command; and what long and unwearied labour is to be gone through, not only in storing the mind and the heart with all requisite ministerial furniture; but also in forming such habits and manners as shall be adapted to promote official usefulness.-When we reflect on this, it appears equally wonderful and humiliating, that any candidate for the sacred office should imagine that he can be prepared for the pulpit, and the pastoral charge, in a few brief months after commencing his professional studies! It is difficult to conceive of more deep delusion. Does not the apostle expressly prohibit laying hands on a "novice ?" And what is a "novice," but one who labours under that deficiency in knowledge and practical experience which usually characterizes a recent convert ?—It is impossible for any man, whatever may be his talents, to acquire, in so short a time, the requisite amount of various knowledge. But even if he could do this, still he ought to be deterred from contenting himself with so hasty and compendious a course. For he has much to gain besides mere knowledge, and much that requires time, toil, and conflict. He is called to study his own heart; to ascertain his own defects and foibles; to discipline his own feelings and habits; to study clerical character, under its various aspects, as it is, and as it ought to be; to become acquainted with the state, and the wants of