and right materially; but also because they are theirs and conveyed from them by divine institution. A regard is to be had to their authority and office power, in what they teach and do.

§8. "For they watch for your souls, as they that must give account." Obey them, for they watch; make this consideration a motive to your duty (aypUTYBσ1) they watch with the greatest care and diligence, not without trouble and danger; as Jacob kept and watched the flock of Laban in the night (UTEP TU LUXWY upwv) for your souls; for their good, denoting the final cause; that your souls may be guided, kept, and directed to their present duty, and future reward. As if it were said, the important work of these rulers is only to take care of your souls; to preserve them from evil, sin, and backsliding; to instruct and feed them; to promote your faith and obedience, that they may lead you safely to eternal rest; for this is their office appointed, and herein do they labor continually.

Where there is not the design of church rulers, where it is not their work and employment, where they do not evidence it to be so, they can claim no obedience from the church by virtue of this rule; because this watching belongs essentially to the exercise of the office, without which it is but an empty name. On the other side, that all the members of the church may be kept in due obedience to their guides, it is necessary, that they always "consider the nature of this office, and their discharge of it." When they find that the office itself is a divine institution for the good of their souls, and that it is discharged by their guides, with labor, care, and diligence, they will be disposed to obedience and submission. And herein consists the beauty and usefulness of church order; when the guides make it evident, that their whole design is la

boriously and diligently to promote the eternal welfare of the souls committed to their care; and when the peo ple, on the other hand, obey them in their doctrine, and submit to them in their rule.

§9. "As they that must give account;" that is, of their office, and the discharge of it. They are not owners, but stewards; they are not sovereigns, but servants. There is a great Shepherd to whom they must give an account of their office, of their work, and of the flock committed to their charge. Although the last great account, which all church guides must give of their stewardships, may be intended, yet the present account which they give every day to Jesus Christ, of the work committed to them, is also included. There are no conscientious church guides, but do continually represent to the Lord Christ the state of their flock, and what is the success of their ministry among them. If they thrive, if they flourish, if they go on to perfection, this they give him an account of; blessing him for the work of his spirit and grace among them. If they are unthrifty, fallen under decays, &c. therein also they give an account to Jesus Christ; they spread it before him, mourning with grief and sorrow. The supposition of an account given with sorrow, can refer to no other account, but that which is present, with respect to the success of the ministry. And, indeed, much of the life of the ministry, and benefit of the church, depends on the continual "giving an account" to Christ by prayer and thanksgiving, of the state of the church, and success of the word therein.

Those guides who esteem themselves obliged thereto, and who live in the practice of it, will find their minds engaged thereby, to constant diligence, and earnest laboring in the discharge of their duty.

$10. "For that is unprofitable for you." Now this joy or sorrow, wherewith they are affected in giving

their accounts, doth not here immediately respect themselves, or their own ministry, (for they are "a sweet savor unto God, both in them that are saved, and in them that perish;") but the church committed to their guidance.

1. The duty is urged, that they may give their account (μɛla xapas) with joy. What matter of the greatest joy is it to faithful pastors, when they find the souls of their charge thriving under their ministry! Thus one of the apostles themselves: I have no greater joy, than to hear that my children walk in the truth,” 3 John, ver. 4. And thus another: "What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are ye not in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? for ye are our glory and joy." 1 Thes. ii, 19, 20. And when they give this account with glory and praise, it fills their heart with joy in a particular manner. And this, on many accounts, is "profitable" for the church itself; they will quickly find the effects of the joy of their guides, in their account, by thecheerful discharge of their ministry, and in token of Christ being well pleased with them.

2. The duty is pressed for the avoidance of the contrary frame (un sevazovies) not with grief; not grieving or mourning. The sadness of the hearts of gospel ministers upon the unprofitableness of the people, or their shameful miscarriages, is not easy to be expressed. With what sighing, what groaning (as the word signifies) their accounts to Christ are accompanied, he alone knows, and the last day will manifest. When it is thus, although they have the present burden and trouble of it, yet it is unprofitable for the people, both here and hereafter; unprofitable in the discouragement of their guides, in the displeasure of Christ, and in all the alarming consequences which will ensue.

$11. From the whole passage thus explained, ob

serve:

1

1. Thankfulness is the peculiar animating principle of all gospel obedience. And,

2. Every act of grace in God, or love in Christ, towards us, is in its own nature obligatory to thankful obedience.

3. The religious worship of any creatures, under whatever pretence, hath no place in our Christian profession. And,

4. Every act and duty of faith hath in it the nature of a sacrifice to God, wherewith he is well pleased.

5. The great, yea, the only encouragement which we have to bring our sacrifice to God, with expectation of acceptance, lieth herein; that we are to offer them by him, who can and will make them acceptable in his sight. And,

6. Whatever we tender to God, and not by Christ, hath no other acceptance with him than the sacrifice of Cain.

7. To abide and abound in solemn praise to God, for Jesus Christ, his mediation and sacrifice, is the constant duty of the church, and the best character of sincere believers.

8. A constant solemn acknowledgment of the glory of God, and of the holy excellencies of his nature (here called his name) in the work of redemption, by the suffering and offering of Christ, is our principal duty, and the animating soul and principle of all other duties.

This is the great sacrifice of the church, the principal end of all its ordinances of worship, the means of expressing our faith and trust in the mediation of Christ, and of giving up the revenue of glory to God, which, in this world, we are entrusted with.

§12. 1. It is dangerous to the souls of men, when an attendance to one duty is abused to countenance

the neglect of another. So may the duties of the first table be abused, to the neglect of those of the other, and the contrary. There is an harmony in obedience, and a failure in any one part disturbs the whole.

2. The unbelieving world itself receives great advantage by the grace administered from the death of Christ, and its fruits, whereof the apostle treats; for there is an inclination wrought in them who are sanctified by his blood, to do good to all men, as they are able. And did all those, who at this day profess the name of Christ, shew forth the virtue of his mediation in these duties, both the profession of religion would be glorious, and the benefit which the world would receive thereby, would be unspeakable.

3. That religion which doth not dispose men to benignity, and the exercise of loving-kindness towards all, hath no relation to the cross of Christ.

4. Much less hath that, which disposeth its professors to rage, cruelty, and oppression of others.

5. We ought always to admire the glory of Divine wisdom, which hath so disposed the state of the church in this world, that there should be a continual occasion for the exercise of every grace mutually among ourselves.

6. Beneficence and communication are the only outward evidences and demonstrations of the renovation of God's image in us.

7. God hath laid up provision for the poor, in the grace and duty of the rich; not in their coffers, and their barns, wherein they have no interest. And in that grace lies the right of the poor to be supplied.

8. That the will of God revealed concerning his acceptance of any duties, is the most effectual motive to our diligence in them. Promise of acceptance gives life to obedience.