I TIM. iv. c. 14 v.

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by Prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery.

THE present occasion is, in itself, well calculated to suggest a warning, similar to that which is conveyed in the words of the text. We, my Reverend Brethren, are met, in obedience to the summons of our Spiritual Superior and Ruler. In his presence, we shall shortly be required to render some account of our ministry. From his lips, we shall hear such words of instruction and of exhortation as he may deem needful or expedient. Already, however-even before we listen to his authoritative voice-may not the very circumstances of the surrounding scene be understood to admonish us, somewhat after the manner, and altogether in the spirit, of St. Paul's address to Timothy, not to neglect

B

the honour that has been conferred-the

privileges that have been bestowed-upon ourselves; not to be unmindful of our first appointment to Sacred Offices; not to forget or disregard the responsibility, which we then incurred; and the duties, which we then undertook to discharge? On the language of the text, thus observed to be in harmony with the associations of this time and place, it will not be unseasonable-it may prove not altogether unprofitable, for a while, to dwell.

The words of the Apostle will, in the first place, furnish an opportunity of making some remarks on the subject of the Government and discipline : of the Christian Church; a subject, in which all hearers-both Lay and Clerical-are deeply concerned. The same words will, in the second place, admit of a practical application to the Clergy in particular; and will thus serve the more immediate purpose of this day's assembly.

In the remarks which I am about to make, under the former of the two proposed Divisions of this Discourse, I would be understood to address the lay-members of our Church more especially. To my Clerical Brethren

I rather appeal, for their sanction and support, on a subject, with which they are presumed to be already conversant; premising only my anxious hope that I may so express myself as to leave behind, in their breasts, no regret that I have ventured to become their spokesman. To you then, my brethren of the laity, I would represent that, for yourselves, the question of Church authority and of Church Government is one of no slight moment. Since however it is also one, from which your ordinary engagements and pursuits unavoidably, for the most part, withhold your attention, it becomes so much the more desirable, that you should, on an occasion like the present, be led to examine that distinction of ranks, of orders, and of offices, in the Ministry, of which you, on this day, behold the example; and that, if within the compass of one brief and plain argument so happy a result may be secured, you should discern the Apostolical origin of such distinction; and the consequent obligation to maintain and preserve it, of which your own Church has publicly and emphatically, on various occasions and by various methods, declared her solemn sense.

The terms, in which the text describes the appointment of Timothy, are remarkable; and deserve, as they have not failed to attract, the especial notice of all diligent inquirers into the constitution and government of the Primitive Church. A gift is said to have been found in Timothy. A privilege had been bestowed upon him. An honourable distinction had, for him, emanated from some lawful and acknowledged Superior. This gift is stated to have been conferred by prophecy. In an earlier part of the same Epistle, St. Paul had spoken of the prophecies, which went before on his son Timothy, and, according to which, the charge of ministerial duties had been committed to him. In this passage, as well as in the text, the Apostle seems to allude to that inspired authority, whereby himself and his companions in the Apostolic office selected those, who were to be admitted to an equal share of their own ministry, or were to be their helpers, in a subordinate rank and station. Thus Timothy had been chosen by prophecythat is, by virtue of the inspiration, with which the mind of St. Paul was furnished;

a 1 Tim. i. 18.

and through which, he marked out Timothy for the office of a Ruler in the Christian Church. Again, the gift granted to Timothy by prophecy was, with external and significant ceremony, conferred-"with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery." In these expressions is opened to our view the earthly source of the gift bestowed on Timothy. We are told of the channel, through which ; of the human instrumentality, by means of which, the gift was regularly conveyed. "The laying on of the hands of the Presbytery" is the important circumstance, on which St. Paul here lays stress. What then is meant by the Presbytery? Who were the human officers, to whom belonged the power of elevating Timothy to the highest rank in the Christian ministry? To many of my hearers it must be well known how warmly the word "Presbytery," in this place, has been welcomed by Commentators, eager to discover, in the express letter of the New Testament, a sanction of the Presbyterian discipline. The most eminent of their number have fondly flattered themselves that here, at all events, they have detected their favourite