dealing with the devil, &c., yet this did not hinder them, or from sacrificing the most valuable things that had been instruments in their wickedness. This is a proof of a true conversion.

The fall of others is for us a great instruction, and a lesson which we ought to study, not in order to insult our neighbour, but to fear for and amend ourselves.

Let us not despise any sinner; God has sometimes very great designs in relation to those who are at present most opposite to Him.

To reprove, when persons are not in a proper disposition for amendment, would be to give both them and ourselves trouble without any prospect of advantage.

To make reproof beneficial, they to whom it is given should see that it does not proceed from humour, or from a design to vex them, but from a true zeal and love for their souls.

A true charity will never insult those that are gone astray, but will use the greatest sinners mildly, lest they should be driven to despair by too great severity.

The church forgives sins in the person of Christ.* She remits the temporal punishments of them also, because Christ is the sovereign High Priest, and because it belongs to God alone to recede from the strictness of His justice, in what manner He thinks fit. An ecclesiastical governor should endeavour to

* 2 Corinthians ii. 10.

preserve discipline, and the esteem of his people at the same time, by acts of tenderness, charity, &c.

"For though I should boast of my authority, (which the Lord hath given us for edification and not for destruction,) I should not be ashamed."—2 Cor. x. 8.

It is necessary, sometimes, to extol the dignity of

our office.

N. B. Pastors are appointed by Christ to edify the church; they must therefore be honoured and obeyed.

The disorders which a good pastor observes in his flock, will always be a matter of humiliation to him, because he will always impute them to himself.

A pastor, a priest, who does not with tears and supplications bewail the sins of his people, cannot call himself their mediator with God.

It is the greatest comfort of a good pastor, to find himself obliged to use nothing but good advice, and the mild part only of his authority; but when that will not do, he must use sharpness; but still with this view, that it be for their edification, not for their destruction.

It seldom happens that great men, whether clergy or laity, reform their lives, because they seldom meet with persons of courage to oppose them or to tell them of their faults. A bishop who is not restrained by any earthly engagements, will not spare any man whose conduct is prejudicial to the faith.

"I would they were even cut off which trouble you.”—Gal. v. 12.

To wish shame, or some temporal evil, for the salvation of my neighbour's soul, is not contrary to charity. It seems, matters were come to a great height of evil, when St. Paul was forced to wish that to be done, which he did not in prudence think fit to do. "Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.”Ecclus. viii. 5.

"Now we command you, (and the same authority subsists still in the governors of the church,) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which ye received from us."-2 Thess. iii. 6.

Nothing is there which the faithful ought more carefully to avoid, than disorderly livers; nothing which pastors ought more earnestly to warn their flocks of.

May I ever observe the rules of a holy and charitable severity.

"If any obey not our word, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed; yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."-2 Thess. iii. 14.

Excommunication is only for the contumacious, not to insult, but to cure.

"Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses."—1 Tim. v. 19.

A pastor ought not lightly to be exposed to the revenge of those whom it is probable he has or shall have occasion to reprove.

"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."-1 Timothy v. 20.

That is, who sin grievously, and are convinced before two or three witnesses; let such be censured before, or by the consent of all the congregation.

"In meekness instructing (reproving) those that oppose themselves, if God per adventure will give them repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."-2 Timothy ii. 25.

When we consider that repentance is the gift of God, that the wiles of the devil are many, and corruption of nature very strong, we shall compassionate instead of insulting a sinner.

We shall adore the mercy of God towards ourselves, and hope for it for others. We shall fear for ourselves, and pray for them. They may recover, and be saved: we may fall, and be lost for ever.

When men will not take care of their own salvation, the church owes this care to her children, to hinder them as much as possible from ruining others.

If excommunication be perpetual, it is caused by the obstinacy of the offender, not by the laws of Christ or His church, which only deprive wicked men of the benefit of communion for a time, to bring them to a sense of their duty.

Church discipline is for the honour of God, for the safety of religion, the good of sinners, and for the public weal; that Christians may not run headlong to ruin without being made sensible of their danger;

that others may see and fear, and not go on presumptuously in their evil ways; that the house of God may not become a den of thieves; and that judgments may not be poured down upon the whole community. "Did not Achan commit a trespass, and wrath fell on all the congregation ?"*

The most effectual way of answering these ends is, to exercise a strict impartial discipline. First, to withhold from Christians the benefit of the holy Sacrament, till they behave themselves so as to be worthy of so great a blessing. And, secondly, if they continue obstinate, (all proper methods being used to reclaim them,) to excommunicate them; and to oblige all sober Christians not to hold familiar conversation with them.

But first of all, Christians should be made sensible of what blessings they are deprived, when they are debarred the communion, even the greatest on earth-the hopes of salvation. "Jesus said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat of the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you."+

He that understands and believes this, will submit to any hardships, rather than incur, rather than continue under a sentence so full of terror; and a sentence passed by one commissioned by God, and bound, at the peril of his soul, to pass it; it being the greatest indignity to Christ and the divine ordinance, to prostitute the body and blood of Christ to notorious evil livers.