of Hooker's time did object to the Prayer Book: there was no need of proving that.

C. I am not speaking of those who would admit they were Puritans; but of that arrogant Protestant spirit (so called) of the day, in and out of the Church (if it is possible to say what is in and what is out), which thinks it takes bold and large views, and would fain ride over the superstitions and formalities which it thinks it sees in those who (I maintain) hold to the old Catholic faith; and, as seeing that this spirit is coming on apace, I cry out betimes, whatever comes of it, that corruptions are pouring in, which, sooner or later, will need a SECOND REFORMATION.

OXFORD,

The Feast of St. Bartholomew.

[FOURTH EDITION.]

These Tracts are continued in Numbers, and sold at the price of 2d. for each sheet, or 7s. for 50 copies.

LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. G. F. & J. RIVINGTON,

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1840.

GILBERT & RIVINGTON, Printers, St. John's Square, London.

TRACTS FOR THE TIMES.

BISHOP WILSON'S MEDITATIONS ON HIS SACRED

OFFICE.

No. I.-SUNDAY.

Question from the Office of Consecration.-ARE YOU PERSUADED

THAT YOU BE TRULY CALLED TO THIS MINISTRATION, ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE ORder of THIS REALM?-Ans. I AM SO PERSUADED.

ALMIGHTY GOD, who by Thy Providence hast brought me into Thine immediate service, accept of my desire of serving Thee; and grant that, in the sincerity of my soul, I may perform the several duties of my calling, and the vows that are upon me.

Blessed be Thy Good SPIRIT, that ever it came into my heart to become Thy minister. May the same Good SPIRIT make me truly sensible of the honour and danger of so great a trust, and of the account I am to give. And give me grace to make amends, by my future diligence, for the many days and years that I have spent unprofitably. And this I beg for JESUS CHRIST'S sake.

He that doth not find himself endued with a spirit of his calling, hath reason to fear that God never called him.

St. John x. 1. "He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. The sheep hear his voice; he calleth his

VOL. I.

A

own sheep by name. He goeth before them, and the sheep follow him for they know his voice. A stranger will they not follow. I am the door of the sheep. By me, if any man enter, he shall be saved. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. The hireling seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep; for he careth not for them."

Marks of a True Pastor.

A lawful entrance, upon motives which aim at the glory of GoD and the good of souls. An external call and mission, from the Apostolic authority of Bishops.

"The sheep hear his voice;" that is, when he speaks to their hearts and to their capacities.

"He calleth his sheep by name;" that is, he knows them so well, as to know all their wants.

"He goeth before them, and they follow him." He leads such a life, as they may safely follow.

"A stranger will they not follow;" that is, they ought not to follow such as break Catholic Unity.

"I am the door." It is by JESUS CHRIST, not by us, that the flock is kept in safety; without Him we can do nothing; neither by our learning, our eloquence, nor our labours :-This is to rob CHRIST of the glory of saving His sheep; and to enter into the ministry, only to plunder the Church of her revenues.

"The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep;" either by spending it in the ministry; or suffering, if there be occasion; never sacrificing the flock to his own ease, avarice, or humours.

"The hireling careth not for the sheep." He lords it over them, makes what advantage he can of them, and counts them his own no longer than they are profitable to him. "He leaves them," that is, when dangers threaten. Then the good shepherd and the hireling are discovered.

Heb. v. 4. "No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron."

Heb. v. 2. "High Priest, who can have compassion on

the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way." A pastor, who is sensible of his own infirmities, will not fail to treat sinners with meekness and compassion.

Heb. xiii. 17. "They watch for your souls, as they that must give account." A most dreadful consideration this; insomuch as that St. Chrysostom said, upon reflecting upon it, It is a wonder if any ruler in the Church be saved." It will be work enough for every man to give an account for himself; but to stand charged, and to be accountable for many others, who can think of it without trembling? O GOD! how presumptuous was I to be persuaded to take upon me this charge!

Who will value himself upon ecclesiastical dignities, who considers that Judas was chosen to be an Apostle?

O Good Shepherd! I beseech Thee, for myself and for my flock, to seek us, to find us, to lead us, to defend us, and to preserve us to life eternal.

If God be satisfied with a pastor, it is of little importance whether he please or displease men.

Tit. ii. 15. "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee;" that is, for want of exercising ecclesiastical discipline.

The following are truths which cannot be preached too often: viz. the bondage of man by sin, the necessity of a Deliverer, the manner of our redemption, the danger of not closing with it, the power of grace to deliver us, &c. A pastor should do all this, and act with the dignity of a man who acts by the authority of GOD.

The Authority of Bishops.

We are willing enough to desire to imitate JESUS CHRIST and his Apostles in their authority, without thinking of following them in their humility, their labours, self-denial, &c.

A Bishop is a Pastor set over other Pastors. They were to ordain Elders. They might receive an accusation against an Elder. They were to charge them to preach such and such doctrines, to stop the mouths of deceivers, to set in order the things

that were wanting. And, lastly, this was the form of Church government in all ages, so that, to reject this, is to reject an ordinance of GoD.

Matt. v. 19.

"Whosoever shall do and teach the commandments, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of God." It is in this the true greatness of a Bishop does consist, not in the eminence of his see, multitude of attendants, favour of princes, &c.

Bishops were called to sit in Parliament, to give their counsel according to God's Law, as the civil judges were to give their advice according to the temporal laws in matters of difficulty. Mark x. 44. "Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all." The greatest Prelate in the Church is he who is most conformable to the example of CHRIST, by humility, charity, and care of his flock, and who, for CHRIST's sake, will be a servant to the servants of God.

O Sovereign Pastor of souls! renew in Thy Church, and especially in me, this spirit of humility; that I may serve Thee in the meanest of Thy servants. If I lie under the necessity of being served by others, let it be with regret, and let me exact no more service than is necessary.

Luke x. 3. "Behold I send you forth as lambs among wolves." It belongs to Thee, O Lamb of GoD, to guard both me and my flock from wolves who assault us, either openly or in sheep's clothing. I depend entirely upon Thee, in whatever relates to my own preservation, or that of the people committed to my care.

Luke xix. 20. "LORD, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin." O my SAVIOUR! I tremble to think how I have followed the example of this slothful servant; and what reason I have to dread his doom. Rest is a crime in one who has promised to labour all the days of his life; and in me, therefore, it is a great evil, not to be always doing good. Pardon me, my God, for what is past; and let me not imagine, that, because I am free from gross and scandalous crimes, that, therefore, I lead a good life. O LORD, give me grace proportionable to the talents I have received, and to the account I am