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.

The most common is that of pastor, or shepherd. It 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 were with young."* 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."† 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 * Isa. xl. 11. + John x. 11.

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 dispensers, 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.* 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 -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 * 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2. + 2 Cor. v. 19, 20.

majesty of the King of kings, that has committed it to us, and of labouring, with all possible 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, is that of angels, 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. 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, 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 characters 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;" I shall add some other designations, that in their significations carry * Rev. i. 20. + 2 Cor. viii. 23.

Heb. xiii. 7. 17,

only labour without honour, being borrowed from labours that are hard, but no way honourable.

They are often called watchmen,* 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.

and

St. Paul does also call churchmen by the name of builders, and gives to the apostles the title of masterbuilders.† 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; 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 66 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,‡ labourers in his vineyard, and harvest,§ who are to sow, plant, and water, and to cultivate the soil of the church.|| This imports a continual return of daily and hard labour, which requires both pain and diligence.

They

1 Cor. iii. 9. ¶ 1 Cor. iii. 6.

are also called soldiers, men that did war and fight against the powers of darkness.* The fatigue, the dangers, and difficulties of that state of life, are so well understood, that no application is necessary to make them more sensible.

And thus, by a particular enumeration of either the more special names of these offices, such as deacon, priest and bishop, ruler and governor, or of the designations given to them, of shepherds or pastors, stewards, ambassadors, and angels, it appears that there is a great dignity belonging to them, but a dignity which must carry labour with it, as that for which the honour is due. The other titles, of watchmen, builders, labourers, and soldiers, import also that they are to decline no part of their duty, for the labour that is in it, the dangers that may follow, or the seeming meanness that may be in it; since we have for this so great a rule and pattern set us by our Saviour, who has given us this character of himself, and in that a rule to all that pretend to come after him, "The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister." This was said upon the proud contentions that had been among his disciples, who should be the greatest; two of them presuming upon their near relation to him, and pretending to the first dignity in his kingdom: upon that he gave them to understand, that the dignities of his kingdom were not to be of the same nature with those that were in the world. It was not rule or empire to which they were to pretend; "the disciple was not to be above his Lord;" and he that humbled himself to the last and lowest in his service, was by so doing really the first.

* Philip. ii. 25.

Matt. xx. 28.