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should carefully select the best for our imitation; and the rest, however sanctioned by great names, and high authority, we should shun with fear and trembling. "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil." Exod. xxiii. 2. But of all examples in correct morals, that of our Saviour is the only one that is perfect. His whole life is a model of Christian obedience; and the man who follows him will attain a high degree of perfection. Let us never forget him as our great Exemplar. In every difficult and doubtful case, let us put this question to our hearts, How would my Lord conduct himself in my circumstances? This is highly proper; for he left us an example, that we should follow his steps. 1 Pet. ii. 21.

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CHAPTER XIII.

CHRISTIAN ORDINANCES.

The Christian Ministry-Baptism-Lord's Supper-The Christian Sabbath-Public Worship- Observations on Lovefeasts-And on social religious Meetings.

THE ordinances of the Jewish ritual were numerous, and expensive; but they passed away when Jesus expired on the cross. The rites of Christianity are few, but highly important. It is to these, with which we are principally concerned, that we now turn our eyes; and while we view them with deep attention, let us piously adhere to them, as means of grace and salvation.

I. The ministry of the word, including our attentive hearing its joyful sound, is a standing ordinance of Christianity.

God has no need of agents to carry on his great designs, either in the material world, or the world of mind; but he has seen fit, from the beginning of time, to employ instruments and agents in all his works. This is well expressed by the Apostle Paul: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners, spake in times past unto the fathers by the Prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all

things, by whom also he made the worlds." Heb. i. 1, 2. And Jesus, our blessed Lord and Saviour, has appointed a ministry to "preach the Gospel to every creature." That ministry began with the Apostles, and apostolic men; and when they died, others were called to the same work. Thus there has been, and will continue to be, a regular succession of Ministers in the church of God to the end of time.

The duty of a Minister is of the highest order. He is commanded to "preach the word;" to "feed the flock;" to 66 warn the unruly;" to "comfort the feeble-minded;" to be an "ensample to the flock;" and to pray men, in Christ's stead, to be "reconciled to God." He should be sound in the faith; gentle in his manners; superior to others in gifts and graces; diligent in his studies; "apt to teach;" kind and attentive to the poor and the afflicted; zealous for the Lord of hosts; uniform and circumspect in his conduct; free from avarice and ambition; and wholly devoted to the service of the Lord: such men, and God calls no other, are a blessing to the church and to the world. Under their ministry we are well instructed, built up on our most holy faith; comforted and encouraged, and abundantly strengthened in every good word and work.

We are required to honour the ministry; to attend the house of God when the word is preached; to follow the instructions of our

teachers; and to worship God in spirit and in truth, when we attend the house of prayer. Then our profiting will appear to all men. The Holy Spirit will move upon our hearts in all the means of grace, and incline us to seek the things which are above. The word preached will direct us, as perishing sinners, to Jesus the almighty Saviour; and he will bring our wandering spirits back to God, saving us with a present salvation from the guilt and power of sin. But how should we hear the word? Our hearing should be mixed with faith; we should hear as those who must give an account for what we hear to the Judge of all the earth; and we should apply the word to our own hearts, and treasure it up for practical purposes. In one place it is said, "Take heed therefore how ye hear;" and in another, " Take heed what ye hear." Luke viii. 18; Mark iv. 24. Hear with attention, but hear the truth. Hear no doctrines that oppose the Gospel; but try the spirits whether they be of God. 1 John iv. 1.

The ministry of the word, as a divine ordinance, is intended to convert the world; and for this reason, Ministers should be sent by the Christian church, to earth's remotest bounds. By the appointment of the Lord, they can do what angels cannot do. Angels may render good services to men; but Ministers are sent forth to preach the everlasting Gospel. The Apostle Paul says, "Unto me, who am less than

the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." Eph. iii. 8. God employs men to save men; but they are only instruments in his hands, and all the glory is due to his holy name. What a world would this be, if there were no Ministers of religion to guide men to truth and holiness! All men, like the benighted Heathen, would be found in darkness and in death; but "how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Rom. x. 15. They should be welcome messengers to every nation under heaven; and we trust this will be the case ere long; and that "Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God." Ps. lxviii. 31.

II. Baptism by water was instituted by Christ; and is a standing ordinance in the Christian church.

This is the command of our Lord, "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." In the first ages of Christianity, men and women were baptized on a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; but afterwards, and even then, in our opinion, the children of believers were received into the church by baptism. Children were admitted into the Jewish church by circumcision. That was the seal of the covenant made with Abraham; and baptism is the seal of the covenant

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