closely to contemplate these cases, to study them, to view them under various aspects, and to listen to ample discussions on their real merits; we may be said, in these circumstances, to enjoy advantages for investigating principles, and having the results of investigation deeply and strongly impressed upon our minds which no retired study can so well furnish. Whatever may have been your previous reading, never expect to find yourself expert in comprehending and applying the great doctrines of church government, unless you have studied them much on the floor of judicatories. If you carefully observe what passes, you will observe men of excellent minds, who are not in the habit of attending those judicatories, often betraying a degree of ignorance, on some of the very first principles of church discipline, as ludicrous as it is disreputa

ble.

(5.) Finally; a due attendance on the assemblies under consideration, is one of the best means of obtaining and constantly extending and improving a connected knowledge of the history of our church. Whatever other part of ecclesiastical history a minister is ignorant of, he ought, certainly, to be well acquainted with the history of his own church; and especially of that portion of it which is embraced within his own time. But even this portion

will not be thoroughly gained and kept up by any member who is not in the constant habit of attending on the judicatories of his church. Before these assemblies all the principal facts are made to pass. And they appear there with a hfe and force much more impressive, much more likely to be remembered, and in connexions and circumstances better adapted to leave their appropriate lessons, than if contemplated only by means of an oral statement, or a printed page. Show me a Presbyterian minister who is familiarly acquainted with the history of his own church, and especially since he entered her ministry, and I will without hesitation, show you a man who has been constant and punctual in attending on her judicatories.

It is evident, then, whether we consider the honour of our religion-the edification of the church the fulfilment of our official vowsthe duty which we owe to our fellow-servants, -the promotion of our own respectability and influence among our clerical brethren,—or the extension and improvement of our own ecclesiastical knowledge, we ought to make a point of appearing, as punctually as possible, in every judicatory of the church in which we have a right to occupy a seat.

2. Make a point, not only of ATTENDING

EVERY MEETING, BUT ALSO OF BEING PUNC

TUALLY PRESENT AT THE OPENING OF THE

JUDICATORY. It is possible that the first acts of business may be, decisively, the most important. In this case, tardiness may be quite as injurious as total non-attendance. And even if this be not the case, as most commonly it is not; a variety of things may pass before your arrival, absolutely essential to an inteligent and connected view of the whole proceedings. Let no ordinary engagement interfere with perfect punctuality in this matter. Be on

the ground among the earliest; and you will find more advantages connected with such a system than I can well enumerate. To say nothing of many other considerations, what right have you to occupy the time and swell the minutes of the judicatory by compelling them to receive and record your apologies for delinquency?

3. I would advise you to PREPARE FOR ATTENDANCE ON EVERY JUDICATORY, BY SERIOUS RETIREMENT, MEDITATION AND FRAYER.

If every "creature" that we enjoy ought to be "sanctified by the word of God and prayer" -surely this ought to be more especially the case with one of the most important official duties in which we can possibly engage. When we are about to meet with our fellow servants, as a judicatory of Jesus Christ; to deliberate and consult respecting the interests of the Re

deemer's kingdom; to act together, in our publick and ministerial character, not merely for the welfare of a single soul, but for that of many congregations, and, perhaps, of the whole church with which we are connected; and when we know not how far the influence of what we say and do may extend ;-surely we ought to address ourselves to all such duties, with the most serious consideration, and with humble, importunate prayer for all that wisdom, and guidance, and strength which we need. I had almost said, if there be any occasion on which a man of enlightened piety, should feel deeply serious and devout, it ought to be on the approach of such an assembly.

Let me advise you, then, whenever you are about to attend any church judicatory, and especially those of the higher kind, in all the movements of which large and momentous interests are involved; to set apart a portion of time for special prayer, with a particular view to this object. If you be about to take your seat in a Synod, or in the General Assembly, let the whole day before you set out, if prac. ticable, be observed as a day of solemn prayer, accompanied with fasting. If the discharge of necessary duties preclude the possibility of this, as may sometimes be the case, make a point of redeeming at least one hour for special retirement and devotion, in reference to your an

ticipated engagement. And in this solemn hour, endeavour to ponder deeply in your heart, and to spread before the Lord, all the magnitude and difficulty of the work which you have in prospect; and all the temptations and dangers to which you may be exposed, from your own infirmities, and those of others. Pray that you may be inspired with heavenly wisdom in all the business that may come before you that you may be enabled, in every case, to take just views of truth and duty that you may be guarded from prejudice, from passion, and from every unhallowed temper: that you may be enabled always to act from the purest motives, and with a single eye to the Redeemer's honour that you may be preserved from "giving a wrong touch to the ark," either ignorantly or presumptuously: that you may not be be permitted, unnecessarily or improperly, to wound the feelings of those with whom you may be called to act: and that in all the proceedings of the judicatory, you may be enabled to judge and act in such a manner as that the peace, purity, and edification of the body of Christ may be happily promoted.

Nor ought you to forget, in these moments of humble and tender approach to the king of Zion, to pray for the brethren with whom you are about to act, as well as for yourself. Pray