While, however, I have made these changes on the original, I trust that I have not injured, but improved the work; that the spirit of its great Author is so much preserved, that those who are most familiar with his writings would scarcely have been sensible of the alterations I have made, had I not stated them in this place.

Having long been anxious to present to the public an edition of the Reformed Pastor,' I began to prepare it a considerable time ago; and having offered it to the present publisher, he informed me that the Rev. DANIEL WILSON of London, had previously agreed to write an Introductory Essay to that work. In this arrangement I feel peculiar pleasure, as I have no doubt his recommendation will introduce it to the notice of many, by whom otherwise it might have remained unknown.

Before I conclude, I cannot help suggesting to the friends of religion, that they could not perhaps do more good at less expense, than by presenting copies of this work to the Ministers of Christ throughout the country. There is no class of the community on whom the prosperity of the Church of Christ so much depends as on its Ministers. If their zeal and activity languish, the interests of religion are likely to languish in proportion; while, on the other hand, whatever is calculated to stimulate their zeal and activity, is likely to promote, in a proportional degree, the interests of religion. They are the chief instruments through whom good is to be effected in any country. How important, then, must it be to stir them up to holy zeal and activity in the cause of the Redeemer! A tract given to a

poor man may be the means of his conversion; but a work such as this, presented to a Minister, may, through his increased faithfulness and energy, prove the conversion of multitudes. Ministers themselves are not perhaps sufficiently disposed to purchase works of this kind: they are more ready to purchase books which will assist them, than such as will stimulate them in their work. If, therefore, any plan could be devised for presenting a copy of it to every Minister of the various denominations throughout the United Kingdom, what incalculable good might be effected! There are many individuals to whom it would be no great burden to purchase twenty or even fifty copies of such a work as this, and to send it to Ministers in different parts of the country; or several individuals might unite together for this purpose. I can scarcely conceive any way in which they could be more useful.

To the different Missionary Societies, I trust I may be allowed to make a similar suggestion. To furnish every Missionary, or at least every Missionary Station, with a copy of the REFORMED PASTOR, would, I doubt not, be a powerful mean of promoting the grand object of Christian Missions. Sure I am of this, there is no work so much calculated to stimulate a Missionary to holy zeal and activity in his important labours.

WILLIAM BROWN.

EDINBURGH, March 12th, 1829.

SECTION I-THE NATURE OF THIS OVERSIGHT,

I. See that the work of grace be thoroughly wrought in
your own souls,

91.

91

II. See that you be not only in a state of grace, but that
your graces are in vigorous and lively exercise,
III. See that your example contradict not your doctrine,
IV. See that you live not in those sins against which you
preach in others, .

102

104

110

V. See that you be not destitute of the qualifications ne-
cessary for the work,

SECTION II.-THE MOTIVES TO THIS OVERSIGHT,

116

I. You have a heaven to win or lose as well as other

II. You have a depraved nature as well as others,

116

118

V. Your sins will have more heinous aggravations than

III. You are exposed to greater temptations than others, 119
IV. You have many eyes upon you, and there will be
many to observe your falls,

121

other men's,

122

Page

VI. Such important works as yours require greater grace
than other men's,

124

VII. The honour of Christ lieth more on you than on
other men,

125

VIII. The success of your labours materially depends on

your taking heed to yourselves,

127

CHAPTER II.

THE OVERSIGHT OF THE FLOCK.

SECTION I.-THE NATURE OF THIS OVERSIGHT.-This

Oversight extends to all the flock,

137

I. We must labour for the conversion of the unconverted, 147
II. We must give advice to inquirers who are under con-

III. We must study to build up those who are already
partakers of divine grace,

154

IV. We must exercise a careful oversight of families,

158

V. We must be diligent in visiting the sick,

160

VI. We must be faithful in the reproof and admonition of

VII. We must not neglect the exercise of Church dis-
cipline,

164

SECTION II.-THE MANNER OF THIS OVERSIGHT.-The
Ministerial work must be carried on,

173

I. Purely for God, and the salvation of souls,

173

II. Diligently and laboriously,

174

III. Prudently and orderly,

174

IV. Insisting chiefly on the greatest and most necessary

VII. With a mixture of severity and mildness,

180

VIII. With affection, and seriousness, and zeal,

180

XIII. With earnest desires and expectations of success,
XIV. Under a deep sense of our own insufficiency, and

of our dependence on Christ,

XV. In unity with other ministers,

185

187

188

SECTION III.-THE MOTIVES TO THIS OVERSIGHT,

I. From the relation in which we stand to the flock:—
We are Overseers,
II. From the efficient cause of this relation :-The Holy
Ghost,

190

197

III. From the dignity of the object which is intrusted to
our care:-The Church of God,
IV. From the price paid for the Church:-Which he hath
purchased with his blood,

198

199

II. Our not seriously, unreservedly, and laboriously lay-

III. Our prevailing regard to our worldly interests, in

IV. Our undervaluing the unity and peace of the Church, 234

V. Our neglect of Church discipline,

243