his hand, but we shall be vessels of honour, governed by his holy spirit. Thus we shall close our remarks upon this text.

To make a short conclusion, let us learn not to disorder ourselves; though the devil cast many troubles in our way, though storms and tempests arise, though there be not so much regularity in the church as could be wished, yet let us still keep on our way, and not think that this lesseneth the majesty of God: for in a great house there must needs be vessels of wood and of earth. God will prove our affection; let us therefore be watchful, and think not to be excused, if we join the wicked in their pollutions. When the wicked rejoice and endeavour to mar our comfort, let us withdraw from them: when sin reigneth, and every one is endeavouring to draw his companion into destruction with him, let us run to our God, praying him to keep us under the governance of his holy spirit; and thus frame ourselves to the pureness spoken of by St. Paul.

Seeing we are insufficient for these things, that besides our weakness, there is nothing but corruption in us, let us pray God to send us his pure waters, spoken of in Ezekiel xxxvi. 25. that we may be cleansed from all our filthiness, and made fit subjects for his service. Then we shall desire to live in obedience to the will of God; yea, and that frankly, not by restraint and force. When God is glorified by the works of the wicked, (as he saith he hath kept them for his glory,) we must know that it is not their intention to worship him: but by a wonderful providence, he draweth good out of evil: even as he turned darkness into light when he made the world.

SERMON XI.

TITUS, Chap. i. verses 7, 8, and 9.

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

THOSE who are called to preach the word of God, may here learn what their office or duty is; and thereby be enabled to perform it faithfully to God, and to the church. This subject must be well understood, if we wish to profit by the text. Christians, generally, ought to understand what is requisite in a good minister. They ought not to choose him thoughtlessly, or from mere fancy and ambition; but they should have the profit and common salvation of all the children of God before their eyes. This ought to be observed by those who are already in the office; and unless they conduct themselves according to the direction of the Holy Ghost, they ought not to be suffered to continue therein.

The virtues here spoken of by St. Paul, are necessary for all ministers of the word of God; who must show the way to others: it is also a useful lesson for us all. The minister ought to behave himself well, in a godly manner; and the people ought to refrain from all kinds of wickedness. The minister must point out the way, and set good examples; and the whole body of the church regulate their lives according to what is here taught them. We see from St. Paul's writings, in the verses preceding the text, that those whom he called elders, he now calleth bishops; which signifieth watchmen or overseers. He giveth

this name to all who are called to preach the word of God.

Therefore, it was corruption and abuse in the Popish Church, to call one man alone chief bishop: for that was changing the speech of the Holy Ghost. Thus we see that Satan laboureth to turn us from the pure simplicity of the word of God. And besides, it is wrong for a man to separate himself from the order which hath been established by the authority of God. All therefore whom God calleth to preach his word, must be well grounded in the truth; and must be faithful watchmen. It is said, Ezekiel iii. 17. Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me."

The title which is given to all shepherds, showeth plainly what it is that God calleth them to do: they are to watch and take care of the flock, while other men sleep. They cannot serve God, only by employing themselves to serve his people. The greatest honour that ministers of the word of God can have, is to be diligent and faithful in the church. St. Paul saith, it is reasonable that the watchmen or bishops should be without blame; seeing they are governours in the house of God. We may notice what he said to Timothy; how he exhorted him to beware and take heed, that he might know how to behave himself in the house of God, over which he was placed as ruler he therefore saw the necessity of Timothy's walking uprightly.

Is it a small matter to be a minister of God, and governour of his house? St. Paul showeth in this place, that those to whom God hath committed his word, and called to preach the gospel, ought to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner. God honoureth us in a marvellous manner, when he calleth us into his house, and admitteth us as members of his family; where he will dwell among us, and

nourish and protect us. Therefore, when we are sensible that we are not separated from our God, that our belief is well grounded, that he hath gathered us into his flock upon the condition that he will be with us to the end of the world, we ought to be moved to love him more earnestly, and serve him better.

The church is called the house of God, that we may magnify the inestimable goodness of our Creator, who hath been pleased to draw near and make his abode therein: he hath assembled us together, and joined us to himself, that he might take care of our salvation; that he might be our master and overseer; not for his own profit, but for our salvation. This text is not only for the ministers of the word, but it should profit all the faithful; we should all apply it to ourselves, for our own instruction.

St. Paul saith, a good shepherd must be blameless; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre: as if he had said, the man that is given to these vices, doth nothing but infect the place he is in, and injure the church. He that is blemished with any of these faults, is not a fit man to serve God: these things must therefore be purged out from among us. The first virtues required by St. Paul, in order to qualify a man to preach the word of God, is to abstain from the faults which are here condemned.

As it is the duty of a faithful minister to draw those home that are gone astray, so it is likewise his duty to endeavour to keep those in peace and unity who are already in the church. If he be stubborn and self-willed, he will offend the flock of God, and make a breach in the church. In order, therefore, that he may serve God, and keep the church in peace and concord, he must not trust too much to his own understanding, nor be obstinate in his own opinion.

When we teach others, we must be willing to be taught also. For if we are not willing to learn, that

others may profit by our instruction, we shall never be able to do our duty. Therefore, he whom God hath placed as teacher in his house, must show himself ready and willing to receive doctrine, and good instruction. We must be ready to hearken when other men give counsel, and be willing to receive information. Thus we have the meaning of St. Paul in few words: namely; those who are called to preach the word of God, must take heed that they be not self-willed, but willing to be taught: they must be meek and quiet spirited; not puffed up with pride, but endeavouring to edify others; they must not think that they know all things, but on the contrary desire to learn continually, and be gentle in their behaviour. Those who are lofty spirited, and selfwilled, often become schismaticks: that is to say, they trouble the church of God, and divide it into sects.

It is not without cause that St. Paul correcteth this haughtiness: for we see by experience that it is a great evil. The minister must not be soon angry : this fault is much like the other. For if a man doth not govern himself in this respect, it will be a great hinderance to him in serving God. Not given to wine; because drunkenness increaseth this haughtiness, and is, as it were, a kind of madness. .minister of God must therefore be sober: for if drunkenness reign in him, he will be destitute of reason, equity, and modesty. Thus we see what a number of deadly plagues are here enumerated, of which the ministers of the word of God must beware.

The

They must be no strikers nor brawlers: they must not be like soldiers or contentious men, who are always ready to fight and wrangle; this fault must be corrected also: neither must they be given to filthy lucre; they must not be covetous. The minister that seeketh to enrich himself by his office, will not do his duty faithfully. He will put a gloss upon the word