I beseech Thee for all that are my enemies, not for judgment and vengeance, but for mercy, for the remission of their sins, and for their eternal happi

ness.

"Lighten mine eyes, O Lord, that I sleep not in death."-Psalm xiii. 3.

Deliver me from the terrors of the night, and from the pestilence that walketh in darkness.*

Let my sleep be free from sin; preserve me, O Lord, from evil dreams and evil demons.

Into Thy hands I commend myself, my spirit, my soul, and body, O Lord, thou God of truth.

Grant that I may remember Thee upon my bed. "I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest; for it is Thou, Lord, only that makest me dwell in safety "-Psalm iv. 9.

May the Saviour and Guardian of my soul take me under His protection this night and evermore !

*Psalm xci.

Question from the Office of Consecration.-Are you persuaded that you be truly called to this ministration, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the order of this realm?

Answer.-I am so persuaded.

ALMIGHTY God, who by Thy providence hast brought me into Thine immediate service, accept of my desire of serving Thee! and grant, that in the sincerity of my soul I may perform the several duties of my calling, and the vows that are upon me.

my

Blessed be Thy good Spirit, that ever it came into heart to become Thy minister.

May the same good Spirit make me truly sensible of the honour and danger of so great a trust, and of the account I am to give.

And give me grace to make amends, by my future diligence, for the many days and years that I have

*These Meditations, and those for the six following days, on the Offices of Consecration and Ordination, are adapted peculiarly to the Clergy only.

spent unprofitably. And this I beg for Jesus Christ's sake.

He that doth not find himself endued with a spirit of his calling, hath reason to fear that God never called him.

He

He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. The sheep hear his voice; he calleth his own sheep by name. goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice. A stranger will they not follow. I am the door of the sheep. By me, if any man enter, he shall be saved. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. The hireling seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, for he careth not for them.-John x. 1, &c.

MARKS OF A TRUE PASTOR.

A lawful entrance, upon motives which aim at the glory of God, and the good of souls. An external call and mission, from the apostolic authority of bishops.

The sheep hear his voice; that is, when he speaks to their hearts and to their capacities.

He calleth his sheep by name; that is, he knows them so well as to know all their wants.

He goeth before them, and they follow him. He leads such a life as they may safely follow.

A stranger will they not follow; that is, they ought not to follow such as break catholic unity.

I am the door. It is by Jesus Christ, not by us, that the flock is kept in safety; without Him we can do nothing; neither by our learning, our eloquence, or our labours.

The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep; either by spending it in the ministry, or suffering, if there be occasion; never sacrificing the flock to his own ease, avarice, or humours.

The hireling careth not for the sheep. He lords it over them, makes what advantage he can of them, and counts them his own no longer than they are profitable to him. He leaves them; that is, when dangers threaten. Then the good shepherd and the hireling are discovered.

"No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”—Hebrews v. 4.

"High priest who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way."-Hebrews v.

2.

A pastor, who is sensible of his own infirmities, will not fail to treat sinners with meekness and compassion.

They watch for your souls as they that must give account."-Hebrews xiii. 17.

A most dreadful consideration this; insomuch as that St. Chrysostom said, upon reflecting upon it, "It is a wonder if any ruler in the church be saved."

It will be work enough for every man to give an

account for himself; but to stand charged, and to be accountable for many others, who can think of it without trembling? O God! how presumptuous was I, to be persuaded to take upon me this charge!

Who will value himself upon ecclesiastical dignities, who considers that Judas was chosen to be an apostle ?

O good Shepherd! I beseech Thee, for myself and for my flock, to seek us, to find us, to lead us, to defend us, and to preserve us to life eternal.

If God be satisfied with a pastor, it is of little importance whether he please or displease men.

"These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee;" that is, for want of exercising ecclesiastical discipline.— Titus ii. 15.

The following are truths which cannot be preached too often; viz., the bondage of man by sin-the necessity of a Deliverer-the manner of our redemption-the danger of not closing with it-the power of grace to deliver us, &c.

A pastor should do all this, and act with the dignity of a man who acts by the authority of God.

BISHOPS, &c.

We e are willing enough to desire to imitate Jesus Christ and his Apostles in their authority, without thinking of following them in their humility, their labours, self-denial, &c.