one reason why so much obscurity attends certain parts of the bible, may be to stimulate us to diligence in its study, to teach us humility, and to dispose us to listen to our instructers who are over us in the Lord, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.*

As respects the things necessary to salvation, the leading doctrines of the gospel, its fundamental truths, its practical precepts, they are few and simple, accommodated to the meanest understanding, so that those who run may read, and the way-faring men, though fools, shall not err therein.t

Let us suppose a christian, sincere in his endeavors after instruction, with his mind fully open to conviction, anxious only to learn the truth, and ready to embrace it, and to adhere to it, when it is discovered. He believes that his bible is true, that it was dictated by the holy inspiration of HIM who cannot lie, and that it contains all things necessary to salvation. He wishes to be diligent in the study of the sacred oracles, and to use all the helps in his power to a right understanding of them. We will further suppose that this inquiring christian, seeing the numerous and widely differing sects into which the religious world is divided, is anxious to know who of them all approaches most nearly to the pure word of God. He feels the necessity not only of being spiritually renewed in heart and life, but of being publicly united with the church of Christ, which he looks upon as a "wellformed and regular society, of which all men are obliged to be members." Now we conceive that the inquiries of

* 1 Thes. v. 12, 13. † Isa. xxxv. 8.

such a person would be directed to these three subjects, the DOCTRINES, the MINISTRY, and the WORSHIP, of the christian church. We know not to what other subject his investigations could be directed. Is he, in obedience to the apostolic precept, to prove all things? He will then inquire what is sound doctrine? what is a scriptural ministry? what is pure worship? Is he to hold fast that which is good? Then, after such an examination, diligently and carefully made, and not without prayer that he may be guided into all truth, he will steadfastly adhere to that church, which in his conscience he believes is most sound in doctrine, most apostolic in her ministry, most pure and primitive in her worship.

The subject of the first importance to every inquiring christian unquestionably is, the DOCTRINES of the Bible. These, of course, will claim our first attention in the following pages.

We are not to ask, what are the commandments of men? What are the decrees of churches and councils? But what is written in the Law? Then, having satisfied ourselves as to the true doctrines of scripture, the question naturally arises, where are these taught in their greatest purity?

As was before remarked, the doctrines of the bible necessary to be believed are few and simple, and stated with the greatest plainness. The universal corruption of man, in consequence of the fall of our first parents, the atonement made for every individual of mankind by the Son of God, justification by faith in Christ, sanctification by the Holy Ghost, the necessity of repentance, of faith, and a new life, the resurrection of the dead, a future

judgment, eternal rewards and punishments, these are doctrines clearly revealed, and which it would seem no unprejudiced inquirer after truth could possibly mistake. And yet, if we cast our eye over the religious world, we shall be astonished to see how far men, who profess and call themselves christians, can depart from the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.* The heart sickens at the contemplation of the extravagant dogmas which are too often built on the simple word of God, through the obliquity of judgment, or the unlicensed conceits of vain and wicked men. That the religion of the blessed Jesus, pure, peaceable, gentle, and merciful, as it is, should ever have been made the pretext for such follies and ferocities as have been sometimes practised among those who have named the name of Christ, is only another proof of the melancholy corruption of human nature, and the fearful lengths to which unbridled zeal will hurry men, the moment they forget "what manner of spirit they are of." But all these loathsome excrescences, which have defaced the fair form of religion, we must be careful to separate from religion itself. In her native purity and simplicity she is "altogether lovely." We must remember, too, that there were even in our Saviour's days, and have been ever since, those against whom he warns us, who teach for doctrines the commandments of men. †

Having satisfied himself as to the DOCTRINES of scripture, the christian's attention will next be directed to the MINISTRY of the christian church. And here his first

inquiry will be, who are the persons set apart to the sacred office of the priesthood, and duly authorized to preach the doctrines, and to administer the sacraments of the gospel? The voice of inspiration says that no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron;* that even Christ himself, fitted as he was for the sacerdotal office by the perfect purity and holiness of his nature, glorified not himself to be made an High Priest ; and that no one can preach, except he be sent. With these plain declarations before him, the honest inquirer after truth will be led to consider what constitutes a lawful call, who may be said to be called of God, as was Aaron, and what it is to be sent to preach.

That there must be some external, visible separation to the work of the ministry, is generally conceded by all christians. But the question arises, who are authorized to make this appointment? Who are empowered to send labourers into the harvest? Some persons must possess this power, and they must derive it from the LORD of the harvest. Have then all ministers equal authority to ordain; or did Christ and his apostles institute more than one order of the ministry in the church and if more than one, what offices belong peculiarly to each? Now what that ministry was, and what its offices, we are to gather from the doings of our Lord, from the acts and writings of the apostles, and those whom they ordained. And where scripture does not settle the point, or rather where we have doubts as to its true interpreta

* Heb. v. 4.

† Heb. v. 5.

+ Rom. x. 10.

tion, we are to consult those who lived nearest the apostles' times, and consequently best understood the usages of the church in those days. Whatever singularities of doctrine the ancient fathers might entertain, their testimony is conclusive as to matters of fact, which came under their own observation. Taking it for granted that they were honest, well-meaning men, and no one will withhold from them this moderate praise, their peculiarities of belief, if they held any, can never impeach their veracity. For example, any one of them could tell whether in his own day a bishop had charge of only one parish, or whether a number of parishes were united to form a diocese, under the supervision of a single bishop. He could also tell whether a presbyter ever ordained, or whether this right was exercised by the bishop alone. These are simple matters of fact, to which any sensible and honest man is competent to bear testimony. Whoever applies himself with an unprejudiced mind to the investigation of this subject, will doubtless come to this conclusion, that "it is evident unto all men, diligently reading Holy Scriptures and ancient authors, that from the apostles' time there have been these orders of ministers in Christ's church, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."*

The last subject to which the inquiring christian's attention will be directed, and one of minor importance compared with the others, is the wORSHIP of the church. We say that is of less consequence than her Doctrines and Ministry, not because it is in itself unimportant, but because we consider the first two essential to the very

*Pref. to Ordination Service.