O God." He came to do the Father's will; and, in accomplishing the Father's will, behold he served the children of men-he is found serving among his brethren. And this is his love: the love of God and the love of man, so prepared his soul, that he was equipped as a man; as a man he served his Church. Now let us refer you to something which the weakest and the least may understand, in order that you may perceive how exceedingly needful and necessary the right preparation of the heart is for the service of God. My brethren, if we have no appetite for our necessary food, then, though the greatest delicacies the season can afford, though the most delicious meat may be set before you, yet we cannot eat. If we have but an appetite, then, when the plainest fare, the most homely food, is presented to the taste, we eat and drink with joy. So, my brethren, if we have no spiritual appetite, if we have no longing after God, yea, the living God, then the most able and the most skilful minister will minister in vain to us; we have no appetite; we cannot eat, we cannot drink. But if we have that soul hungering and that soul thirsting after righteousness, then the weakest instrument, serving in the name of the Lord Jesus, will feed us with food convenient for use. Look at the fourteenth verse, and see in what manner the Lord Jesus himself was to prepare to serve: "And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve Apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup and gave thanks, and said, Take this and divide it among yourselves: for I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come." Thus, you perceive, having the desire, the burning desire, of love, he was ready and anxious, even as he was qualified to And immediately after this he served us; for he instituted that sacrament, of which it is our privilege to be partakers; and in instituting that sacrament, of which we, after the same manner, have the privilege to be partakers, he commanded that it should be kept, and that it should be done in remembrance of him till he should come again. "He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you." These things we understand he referred to, when in the language of my text he said, "But I am among you as he that serveth."

serve.

Let us next remark, that THE Relation of THE ACCOUNT Of the Last SUPPER BY THE EVANGELISTS IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE SIMPLICITY, AND THE BEAUTIFUL SINCERITY, WHICH WAS PECULIAR TO THEM. A fuller account, perhaps, of the things which took place, had neither been consistent with the nature, nor with the design, of the sacrament itself. Otherwise I can imagine, that the circumstances must have been overpowering and affecting beyond description, and endearing and interesting beyond degree: so that I can suppose they must have been at this time overwhelming. I cannot suppose that the disciples could have sustained themselves, any more than when they were, two of them, in the place of the transfiguration; and I can only account for the fact that they did sustain themselves in it, because it was powerfully instructive and prospective: practically perhaps they were tempted to think improperly, because they were thinking, at the same time, perhaps, who should administer his feast to the Church of God in succeeding days.

But when we return again to the subject, when we think of them vying with each other, and striving with each other, not about which should be the greatest, but who should be called the greatest, among them: when we return to this fact, we may surely cry out-speaking the truth and no libel—that the heart of man is indeed deceitful: surely we must quote the words of the Psalmist, and say, "Men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie:" if weighed in the balance, they are found lighter than vanity itself. For what is it we now perceive? We see the disciples with the Great Master, we see him favour them with his great and unparalleled example, and yet we see them at the very time he is serving them, striving with one another about ruling: when, lo and behold, according to his unspeakable mercy, he administers reproof to them in so gentle and sweet a manner, and such reproof as should point out to them the example they ought to follow, and the conduct they ought to imitate: for he said, "I am among you, while ye are contending for the mastery who should be the greatest; behold, I am among you as he that serveth." Now this, my brethren, was pouring divine contempt upon all that is earthly and sensual. This was exhibiting the true dignity of serving for God: this was, indeed, ministering the bread, or the wine, or a cup of cold water; not being ashamed to serve, but delighting in the high dignity of being allowed Behold, I, who am the Son of God, am now the Son of Man, that I may delight to serve; and, behold, I am among you as he that doth serve."

to serve.

Thus, we have noticed the reproof: and we have brought before you the Lord as an example. Let me, in conclusion, take occasion, my brethren, to speak unto you out of the fulness of my heart, touching THE PASTORAL OFFICE. Christ, as a shepherd, watched as a watchman his sheep, and watched over them my life for as the keeper of a city: "I am the Good Shepherd, and I lay down the sheep." Christ's servants, therefore, should follow his example, not in preaching only, but in watching. I would to God that this were more attended to, and that it was more duly appreciated. Ministering in Christ's name-what honour so great? Ministering and administering the elements of bread and wine, and receiving the tokens and emblems of a Saviour's dying love—doing these things in the sanctuary, where, behold, we are among you as they that serve: and not only so, but beseeching and exhorting, publicly, and from house to house, in the family and at the social board, speaking the Word of Life, and being among the people as they that serve.

But, alas, my brethren, I can feel well how difficult circumstances have rendered the performance of a service so lovely. I can feel well how difficult it is where worldly compliances, and worldly associations, and worldly habits are practised, which are so uncongenial; and I can feel well, how difficult it is where instability, where fickleness, where inconsistency, and mere half-heartedness, paralyze the shepherd's arm, and sicken and wound his heart. But I know also, how very blessed, how indescribably blessed and precious it is, and how great the advantages are, when the pastor is among the flock in truth and love. And very anxious am I this day to make every one of you perceive it; and I can only do it by contrasting circumstances: to the circumstances so contrasted, I pray you to give diligent heed. Behold, my brethren, nineteen out of twenty of the individuals of this great city, nineteen out of twenty of the families of this overgrown place, are as sheep having no shepherd; and they love to be as sheep having no shepherd. Hence, they go wandering about

from pastor to pastor, engaging no pastor's eye, engaging no pastor's prayer, calling for or desiring no pastor's attention. And if such a person, who is not desired in seasons of health, is constrained or called upon to find out their abode, or to visit them in time of sickness, oh, then he is such a stranger, he seems like the bringer of evil tidings. It is as if the King of Terrors had sent his death-warrant. And then the physicians of the body, who are wise in their generation, are perfectly alive to the consequences thereof; they dread the excitement, they dread the conflict; and well they may therefore they issue their mandate, that no such persons must visit their patient and the poor, thoughtless, worldly-minded sinner, or the negligent professor, who regards not the pastor's voice, but avoided and refused his care, is now prevented hearing that voice; now cannot hear, dare not hear it; and now is left to his own resources; a sheep made a prey to the wolf, having no shepherd, none to

serve.

But very different it is when the case is reversed; very different it is where a spirit of meekly enduring fellowship in Christ is maintained; where a hallowed and Scriptural intercourse is kept up: for there the Great Physician is healing the soul and body; there the Master's voice is gladly heard, and there is no excitement to injure the body, but a sweet calmness; no emotions to alarm; nay, but peace which passeth understanding. And there the holy supper, not as the extreme unction of the priest, not as the passport to take the soul to heaven-there the holy supper, in peace and love, commemorating the dying love of Jesus, is indeed a feast, and he that serveth, and they that partake thereof, do know that it is a feast-and there as the servant, there as the ambassadors of the King of kings, and there as the representative of the Great Shepherd and Bishop, there the pastor rejoices in the fulfilment of his office, and there he says, in the joy of his soul, "But I am among you as he that serveth."

Now, my dear brethren, our record and our reward are on high. But have we not a reward below? That dear child of whom I spake last week with joy of heart, and yet with tears, stretched out her hand a little before she fell asleep with a view to bid farewell to her pastor; she bid farewell, and called for a blessing in prayer on his head and his heart; and her heart bidding a farewell, because his voice and his message had been thankfully received by her, because the message never caused commotion, but always whispered peace by the blood of Jesus, which cleanseth from all sin.

I want you, therefore, to realize the whole scene which the text is intended to depict before you. First, behold the Lord Jesus himself serving in his Church. Secondly, think of the proneness of the very disciples' hearts to revile, and never trust your own hearts, no not in the house of God: no, never trust your own hearts as though they were friends, but watch them as enemies. Thirdly, receive and apply the Lord's reproof, and learn to profit by his instructions. . But you especially who are taught of God to love one another; you especially who are subjects of the grace and love of which we have been speaking; you especially who love the Lord Jesus because he hath bought you with his blood; and you who esteem very highly in love the Lord's servant for his work's sake; present yourselves, I pray you, to the Great Shepherd who bought you with his blood; present yourselves at the table of the Lord; come and find peace and love in Jesus; present yourselves at the table of the Lord, and so gladden the heart of your pastor, and let him see you coming as dear brethren around the

table of the Lord, while you shall see him standing and saying after the example of the Lord exhibited to you, "But I am among you as he that serveth."

And not only so, but let me speak a word to the lambs of the flock. My dear brethren, bring yourselves, and devote yourselves to God. You perceive how good it is for the shepherd to serve among the lambs of his flock. You perceive that the countenances of all are lightened up, and that by the favour of our God, our hearts do help one another; so that the countenance shines as when a man comforteth his friend: and you shall see that our hearts are getting bold by the Word of God, and the truths which we administer. You shall then see that the shepherd among these lambs shall adopt these words: "Behold I am among you as he that serveth." And let the young people who are desiring and looking forward to confirmation and the Lord's supper, be diligent in the reading of the word and prayer; and let them with prayer look forward to the time when they shall be going into the greater matters of God's word, and when out of the Word of God he shall also serve them, and be among them as he that serveth.

And finally, let me speak a word especially to those who are drawing near to the table of the Lord, and not to them only, but to all others. My dear brethren, learn to encourage your pastors. If they speak among you the Word of Life; if they minister to you the bread of life; if they open their mouths, and the Holy Scriptures are made to flow forth as living waters; if by this word your souls are refreshed, not only in the congregation, but at home; then encourage them; not as the world would encourage, not by the tokens by which worldly men are encouraged; but encourage them with those things which the Lord himself was delighted with-those things with which the men of God are encouraged : encourage them by your devotedness, by your holy walk and conversation : encourage them with your works of faith and labour of love: encourage them by bringing forth fruit, by caring first for that good Spirit which can alone produce such fruits; by producing through the power of God the Holy Spirit the fruits of righteousness, which in the sight of Jehovah are of great price. Come, my dear brethren, those of you who feel your deep need of a Saviour; come those of you who are caring to be washed in the blood of Jesus; come those of you who would live soberly, and righteously, and godly in this present world; come those of you who desire to be justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God; come all such; draw near and take the holy sacrament to your comfort: for behold in our Master's stead, we are among you as they that

serve.

THE NECESSITY OF A STANDING MINISTRY.

AMONGST the inquiries which honourably distinguish the Christian Religion from all that had subsisted before it, and which are amongst the marks and evidences of its divine origin, is the necessity of a ministry, the separation of a body of men to be the guides and teachers of the people, in things pertaining to God. Without the public solemnities of devotion, private and individual piety would quickly languish and expire. The lamp of religion must be trimmed and replenished by all the aid of human diligence and zeal, as well as by the Spirit's presence from above: without the former, it would yield but a glimmering light amidst the darkness of a corrupt world; without the latter, it would emit only the fearful glare of superstition, or the fitful and delusive flashes of enthusiasm. It is therefore, one of the great mercies of God in the Gospel dispensation, that by his blessed Son, he founded the visible Church in the world, which should be for a memorial of the authority and importance of religion, a depositary and dispensary of the written Word of God, an institution of perpetual duration as to its elements and principles, although admitting of modifications as to its outward aspect accorded to the exigencies of those for whom it is designed.

The most important feature of this provision for the maintenance of Gospel truth, is the appointment of an order of men to preach the Word of God, to administer his sacraments, to be devoted to the spiritual welfare of their brethren, to set good and evil before the people, to stand at the gates of the sanctuary, and invite all men to come in and taste the goodness of God, to admonish the careless, rebuke the ungodly, comfort the afflicted-in a word, to do the work of an Evangelist, for which our Lord came himself on the earth.

The division of men considered as religious, being into two classes, those who teach, and those who are to learn, would have been a necessary result of their condition and circumstances, even although it had not been appointed by God himself. The natural inequality of talent, and the accidental disparity of their outward advantages, which in every other science, and in questions affecting their personal rights, make mankind willing to be instructed, guided, and governed by a few, would dispose them to a like submission in the pursuit of religious knowledge; and the more readily, as it is the object of an inquiry unconnected with secular advantage, and bringing no present gain or reward. This consideration makes pure religion to be an object of so little interest to man, in his unregenerate state, that it would not long continue to subsist, were there not an express provision for its preservation. And it is not easy to consider any provision that can so answer the end, as the dedication of a particular class of men, to be the religious instructors of the people, to minister before them in holy things, which are indispensable to the existence of religion: to be the light of the world, the ambassadors of divine mercy, watchmen to awaken mankind from sin, stewards of the Word of God, and dispensers of his truth.

With respect to the Christian Religion, the evidences on which it claims our obedience to, and belief of, the records which contain its doctrines and precepts, are of such a nature as to demand inquiries for which the greater part of mankind are unqualified. For the results of those inquiries, they must rely on the