way to preach the glorious "gospel of the grace of God."

When they ordained Elders in the churches, they did it in the same way, by fasting and prayer, and laying their hands on them, commending them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Is there any thing here to make a person think there was a council of ministers called, a sermon on the occasion, the right hand of fellowship, and a charge, in the manner it is now done among almost all denominations? Surely no. From this account, it is evident that the ministers of Christ were ordained to different works; on this account some were ordained to travel, and others to be in the churches; some were qualified for evangelists to preach from place to place, others as pastors and teachers to take care of the churches. Those. ministers who were ordained in churches, were considered as servants of the church, having no command of them. Paul says, "And ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." In ancient times, the ministers belonged to the churches; but in these modern times, the ministers

think the churches belong to them! You will often hear the clergy say, my church," and to see the manner in which it is built, any man might think it belonged to them. The scriptures say, Christ gave gifts, (that is, ministers) to men; but modern times say, he gave men to the gifts.-Mention is made here of Elders being ordained in the churches, but not as lords over them; neither is there any thing mentioned concerning settling ministers over towns and parishes. How happy must these Elders feel, while they are chief among their brethren, and at the same time servants of all !

MODERN.

And as he read and said prayers to the people, the town said, separate us this man to the honour we have conferred on him. And when they had given him a CAUL, and he had accepted it, the clergy and their servants came, gave him the right hand of fellowship, and a sham charge, and settled him for life over the town. And when this was done, they commended him to the town and church, on whom he depended for a living.

THIS modern text explained will shew the difference between the ancient way of ordaining Elders, and the present mode of settling the clergy.

The young gentleman who expect the honours of the town, first comes and reads two short pieces in a week; is respected and flattered by the first characters in the town. If they think he will do to make an IDOL shepherd of to worship, they talk of settling him. Col. A. Capt. B. Esq. C. Major D. Deacon E. Merchant F. with Mr. X. ho wishes to be respected whether he deserves it or not, are asked how they like the gentleman? one says "he has a good voice," another "he performed very well," another "he is short," another, "I am afraid our town will not be so lucky as to obtain him." However, these few who rule, call a town-meeting, the candidate retires, mentions a CAUL in another town, they vote for him, the poor waiting to see the rich men's hands go up first; if a majority are for him, they agree to give him a caul; that is, so many hundred dollars settlement; and so many hun

dred dollars salary for life, or so many ounces of silver. This being done, the caul is sent to the young gentleman: if he accepts it, he gives his answer publicly as liberal as their caul. "Vox populi vox Dei." The voice of the people, is the voice of God. This being done, a day is set for his ordination: it is an high day. A council of clergy are sent for, who come in awful pomp: they examine his CAUL and credentials, and without any evidence of his being a man of experimental religion, they agree to ordain him, or rather to crown him king over a number of people who must be ruled by him. The whole town is moved, and the towns around them. The fiddlers, the retailers, &c. are all animated. After this, they make an hypocritical parade, like that in Rome, when the POPE is placed on the altar. Their powdered heads, their Popish bands and surplices, and hypocritical appearance, testify that they are related to the church of Rome, that mother of such harlots as these. The young gentleman is settled for life. The people are pleased; they have now a

king like other towns, who will "rule over them with rigor." Feasting, drinking, fiddling, dancing, &c. end the solemnities of the day.

ANCIENT.

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me, and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay; but in him was yea. 2 Cor. i. 19.

THIS passage contains the manner of the apostles' and primitive minister's preaching. Jesus Christ, or his doctrine, was what they all preached they all agreed, because they all spake the same thing. Paul did not preach one thing, Silvanus another, and Timotheus a third had they done this, they would have proved themselves false witnesses, not agreeing in what they said. In the days of the apostles, there was no such things as doctrines of Christ mentioned; it was the doctrine of Christ consisting of six principles. These are mentioned in Heb. vi. 1, 2, "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,