first with the Names and then go on to the Descriptions, and lastly proceed to the Rules that we find in them.

The name of Deacon that is now appropriated to the lowest office in the church, was, in the time that the New Testament was writ, used more promiscuously: for the Apostles, the Evangelists, and those whom the Apostles sent to visit the churches, are all called by this name. Generally in all those places where the word Minister is in our translation, it is Deacon in the Greek, which signifies properly a servant, or one who labours for another. Such persons are dedicated to the immediate service of God; and are appropriated to the offices and duties of the church; so this term both expresses the dignity and the labour of the employment.

The next order carries now the name of Presbyter, or Elder; which though at first it was applied not only to Bishops, but to the Apostles themselves; yet in the succeeding ages, it came to be appropriated to the second rank of the officers in the church. It either signifies a seniority of age, or of christianity, in opposition to a Neophyte or Novice, one newly converted to the faith; but, as by common practice, senate or senator, being at first given to councellors by reason of their age, came afterwards to be a title appropriate to them; so the title Presbyter (altered in pronounciation to be in English, Priest) or Elder, being a character of respect, denotes the dignity of those to whom it belongs: But since St. Paul divides this title either into two different ranks, or into two different performances of the duties of the same rank, those that rule well, and those that labour in word and doctrine; (1 Tim. v. 17.) this is a title that speaks

both the dignity, and likewise the duty belonging to this function.

The title which is now by the custom of many ages given to the highest function in the church, of bishop, or inspector, and overseer, as it imports a dignity in him, as the chief of those who labour, so it does likewise express his obligation to care and diligence, both in observing, and overseeing the whole flock, and more especially in inspecting the deportment and labours of his fellow workmen, who are subordinate to him in the constitution of the church, yet ought to be esteemed by him, in imitation of the Apostles, his brethren, his fellow labourers, and fellow servants. Next to the names of the sacred functions, I shall consider the other designations and figures, made use of to express them.

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The most common is that of Pastor or Shepherd. is to be remembered, that in the first simplicity of mankind for many ages, men looked after their own cattle, or employed their children in it; and when they trusted that care to any other, it was no small sign of their confidence, according to what Jacob said to Laban. The care of a good shepherd was a figure then so well understood, that the prophet expresses God's care of his people, by this of his feeding them as a shepherd, carrying his lambs in his bosom, and gently leading them that are with young. (Isa. xl. 11.) Christ also calls himself the good shepherd, that knew his sheep, and did not as a hireling, fly away when the wolf came; but laid down his life for his sheep. (John x. 11.) This then being so often made use of in both Testaments, is an expression of the great trust committed to the Clergy, which likewise supposes a great, a constant, and a tender

care in looking to, in feeding or instructing, in watching over, and guarding the flock against errors and sins, and their being ready to offer themselves to the first fury of persecution.

The title of stewards, or dispensors, which is the most honourable in a household, is also given to them. These assign to every one his due share, both of labour and of provision; these watch over them, and have the care and order of the other servants assigned to them. So in this great family, of which christ is the head, the stewards are not only in a post of great dignity, but also of much labour: (1 Cor. iv. 1, 2.) They ought to be observing the rest of this household, that they may be faithful in the distribution, and so encourage, admonish, reprove or censure, as there is occasion for it.

They are also called ambassadors, and this upon the noblest and most desirable message; for their business is to treat of peace between God and man; to them is given the word or doctrine of reconciliation; they are sent by christ, and do speak in God's name; as if God did beseech men by them; so do they in christ's stead, who is the mediator, press men to be reconciled to God. (2 Cor. v. 19, 20.) Words of a very high sound, of great trust and dignity, but which import likewise great obligations. An ambassador is very solicitous to maintain the dignity of his character, and his master's honour; and chiefly to carry on that which is the main business that he is sent upon, which he is always contriving how to promote: So if the honour of this title affects us as it ought to do, with a just value for it, we ought at the same time to consider the obligations that accompany it, of living suitable to it, answering in some

sort, the dignity and majesty of the king of kings, that has committed it to us; and of labouring with all pos sible diligence,to effectuate the great design on which we are sent; the reconciling sinners to God: The work having in itself a proportion to the dignity of him that employs us in it.

Another, and yet a more glorious title, in that of angels, (Rev. 1. 20.) who as they are of a pure and sublime nature, and are called a flaming fire, so they do always behold the face of our heavenly father, and ever do his will, and are also ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them that are appointed to be the heirs of salvation: This title is given to bishops and pastors; and as if that were not enough, they are in one place called not only the Messengers or angels of the churches, but also the glory of Christ. (2 Cor. viii. 23.) The natural importance of this is that men to whom this title is applied, ought to imitate those heavenly powers, in the elevation of their souls, to contemplate the works and glory of God, and in their constant doing his will, more particularly in ministering to the souls of those, for whom the great angel of the covenant made himself a sacrifice.

I do not among these titles reckon those of rulers or governors, (Heb. xiii. 7, 17.) that are also given to bishops, because they seem to be but another name for bishops, whose inspection was a rule and government, and so carried, in its signification, both authority and labour. To these designations that carry in them charac ters of honour, but of honour joined to labour; and for the sake of which the honour was due according to that esteem them very highly for their work's sake; F skall

add some other designations, that in their significations carry only labour without honour, being borrowed from labours that are hard, but no way honourable.

They are often called watchmen, (Ezek. iii. 17.) who used to stand on high towers, and were to give the alarm as they saw occasion for it: These men were obliged to a constant attendance, to watch in the night, as well as in the day: So all this being applied to the clergy, imports that they ought to be upon their watch-tower, observing what dangers their people are exposed to, either by their sins, which provoke the judgments of God; or by the designs of their enemies; they ought not by a false respect, to suffer them to sleep and perish in their sins; but must denounce the judgments of God to them, and rather incur their displeasure by their freedom, than suffer them to perish in their security.

St. Paul does also call churchmen by the name of builders and gives to the apostles the title of masterbuilders; (1 Cor. iii. 10.) this imports both hard and painful labour, and likewise great care and exactness in it, for want of which the building will be not only exposed to the injuries of weather, but will quickly tumble down; and it gives us to understand, that those who carry this title, ought to study well the great rule, by which they must carry on the interest of religion, that so they may build up their people in their most holy faith, so as to be a building fitly framed together.

They are also called labourers in God's husbandry, (1 Cor. iii. 9.) labourers in his vineyard, and harvest, who are to sow, plant and water, (Matt. xx. 1. ix. 37, 38. 1. Cor. iii. 6.) and to cultivate the soil of the church. This imports a continual return of daily and hard labour,