circumstances relating to them, and make them a matter of much contention, even in that ordinance, in which union and communion are fo much profeffed; [I fhall only obferve that we ought carefully to avoid all these faults.]

. CHA P. II.

Of perfonal inspection and private inftruction.

WR

E are commanded in the text to take ' heed to ALL the flock;' that is, doubtlefs, to every individual member of it. To which end, it is neceffarily fuppofed that we fhould KNOW every perfon that belongs to our charge; for how can we take heed to them if we do not know them? We muft labour to be acquainted, as fully as we can, not only with the perfons, but with the ftate of all our people, their inclinations, and converfations; what are the fins they are moft in danger of; what duties they neglect, both with respect to the matter and the manner; and to what temptations they are peculiarly liable. If we know not the temperament or disease, we are likely to prove unfuccefsful phyficians.

Being thus acquainted with all the flock, we must take diligent heed to them, or do the work of a paftor towards every individual. And one would imagine, that all reasonable men would

be

be fo well fatisfied in regard to this, that nothing need be faid to recommend it. Does not a careful hepherd, look after every individual fheep, and a good phyfician attend every particular patient ? Why then should not the fhepherds and the phyficians of the church take heed to every individual member of their charge? Chrift himself, the great and good fhepherd', who has the whole flock to look after, takes care of every individual; like him whom he defcribes in his parable, who left the ninety nine fheep in the wilderness, to seek after

one that was loft.'-PAUL taught the people publickly, and from house to house.' He' warned every man, and taught every man, that he might prefent every man perfect in Chrift Jefus.* Every man is to feek the law at the priest's lips.'t We are to WATCH for fouls as thofe that must give an account't how we have done it.

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To thefe and a variety of other fcriptures which might be quoted to our present purpose, I might add many paffages from the ancient councils, from whence it appears that fuch a personal infpection, was the practice of the most antient times. But I fhall only mention one from IGNATIUS: "Let affemblies be often gathered; feek after (or

*Col. i. 18. + Mal. ii. 7. + Heb. xiii. 17.

❝ enquire

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" enquire of) all by name; defpife not fervant-mem

or maids."

Let me now mention a few particulars to which this part of our work fhould be applied.

1. We fhould ufe all the means we can to in fruct the ignorant in the matters of their falvation.

We fhould use our own moft plain familiar words in difcourfing with them, and fhould give or lend them fuch books as are fit for them. We should perfuade them to learn catechifms; and direct fuch as cannot read, to get help of their neighbours, whom we fhould exhort to give them their affiftance; efpecially fuch as have the best opportunities. for it.

2. We should be ready to give advice to fuch as come to us with cafes of confcience; especially that great cafe which the Jews put to PETER, and the jailor to PAUL and Silas, What muft we do to be faved ?>

A minifter is not only to be employed in publick preaching to his people, but should be a known counsellor for their fouls, as the lawyer is for their eftates, and the phyfician for their bodies. Not that a minifter (any more than a phyfician, or lawyer) fhould be troubled with every trifling mat

* πυκνότερον συναγωγαὶ γενέσθωσαν· ἐξ ὀνόματος πανας ζή Jela dénous i danas un vπtegnates. Ignat. ad Polyc.

ter

ter about which others can advife them as well. But every man that is in doubts and difficulties. about matters of importance, fhould bring his cafe to his minifter for refolution. Thus NICODEMUS came to Chrift, as it was usual with the people to go to the priest, whofe lips were to preserve knowledge,. and at whofe mouth, they were to afk the law, because he was the meflenger of the Lord of hofts.Since the people are grown too much unacquainted with the office of the miniftry, and their own duty herein, it belongs to us to acquaint them with it, and to prefs them publickly, to come to us for advice in cafes of great concernment to their fouls. What abundance of good might we do, could we but bring them to this. But how few are there who heartily prefs their people to it! A fad cafe, that men's fouls fhould be injur'd and hazarded, by the total neglect of fo great a duty; and that ministers should scarce ever tell them of it and awaken them to it! Were they but duly fenfible of the need and importance of it, you would have them more frequently knocking at your doors, to open their cafes, to make their complaints, and to ask your advice. I befeech you then, put them more upon this; and perform your duty carefully when they feek your help.

To this end it is very neceffary, that we should be acquainted with practical cafes, and especially with the nature of true grace, fo that we may affift them in trying their ftates, and refolve the main question, which concerns their everlasting life or death. One word of feafonable, prudent advice, given by a minifter to perfons in neceffity, has fometimes done that good which many fermons have fail'd of doing,

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We

3. fhould have an especial eye upon FAMILIES, to fee that they be well ordered, and that the duties of each relation be well performed.

The life of religion, and the welfare and glory of church and state, depend much upon family go vernment and duty. If we fuffer the neglect of this, we undo all. What are we likely to do to wards the reforming a congregation, if all the work be cast upon us alone, and mafters of families neglect that neceffary duty of theirs, by which they are obliged to help us? If any good be be gun by the miniftry in any soul, a careless, prayerlefs, worldly family is likely to ftifle, or very much hinder it. Whereas if you could but get the rulers of families to do their part; to take up the work where you left it, what abundance of good might be done by it! Do all that you can therefore to promote this business, if ever you defire the true reformation and welfare of your parishes.

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