In this devout hymn the agency of the Holy Spirit, as the one source of light, and peace, and holiness, is fully acknowledged, and earnestly sought as the necessary means of forming pastors after God's heart : and it is well entitled to the encomium which has been already so often mentioned, " They have well said all that they have spoken."
Passing over the remaining prayers, we conclude this part of our subject with observing, that no sooner is the imposition of hands finished, and the com- mission given to the candidates to preach the Gospel, than the newly ordained consecrate themselves to God at his table ; and seal, as it were, their vows, by partaking of the body and blood of Christ; into whose service they have been just admitted, and whom they have sworn to serve with their whole hearts.
Thus far then " all is well said ;" and if our hearts be in unison with our words, verily we shall have reason to bless God to all eternity. " O that there were in us such an heart ! "
Glad should I be, if your time would admit of it, to set forth at considerable length the benefits that would accrue from a conformity of heart in us to all that has been before stated : but the indulgence with which I have hitherto been favoured must not be abused. I shall therefore close the subject with only two reflections, illustrative of the wish contained in the text.
First, if such an heart were in us, how happy should we be in our souls ! Men may be so thoughtless, as to cast off all concern about futurity, and to say, " I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of my heart." But, if once we begin to indulge any serious reflections, we cannot avoid thinking of our responsibility on account of the souls committed to our charge. Then, if we bring to mind that solemn declaration of God, that " the souls of our people shall be required at our hands," we must of neces- sity tremble for our state. The concerns of our own souls are of more weight than all other things in the world; and the thought of perishing under the weight