delight, in the equal perfection and felicity of all by whom it is surrounded. Light, purity, and bliss shall be the single conditions of their common existence. Every shadow shall have fled,-every impediment be surmounted,-every apprehension dispelled, and every danger past. No hinderance shall remain to the most free and joyous communion, both with God and each other. Their satisfaction shall be absolute; their cup shall run over.

Let the prospect, brethren, be often and devoutly reviewed. Cherish, with profoundest reverence, the belief of those promises by which it is made sure. Ask yourselves frequently, by what efforts you may hasten the period, when all shall be realized; and what preparation you have yet attained for its enjoyment. Remember, it is the last crisis of your history, the epoch, either of your consummate exaltation, or your everlasting shame. Its hour is unalterably fixed; its issues unspeakably momentous; and its arrival becoming every moment nearer.

God is coming to judgment;—and we must stand before him! He is coming with vengeance,— even God with a recompence,"—and we, yes, we, must abide the day of his appearing! He is coming in triumph;—and it is the triumph both of wrath and of mercy-where then shall we be found?

Ordination Services.

I.

INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE

AT THE

ORDINATION OF THE REV. THOMAS PARRY

OVER THE

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BLACKBURN,

LANCASHIRE,

NOVEMBER 27th, 1834.

DISCOURSE VI.

THE ordination of a Christian pastor is a solemnity so intimately connected with all that is endearing and tender, and with all that is sacred and impressive,―that nothing can be more unsuited to its nature, than whatever is harsh, ungenerous, or repulsive. It involves such momentous interests, points to so awful a crisis, and brings us beneath the influence of so deep a consciousness of the divine presence, that all which attends it ought surely to be regulated by the strictest regard, not to truth alone, but to the unity and edification of the church. What is censorious in statement, or ungentle in manner, is in such circumstances pre-eminently inappropriate; -and our aim should be, to inflict, at least, no unnecessary wound, even on the feeblest or the most in error, of all by whom the scene is witnessed; whatever be their preconceptions or the habits of their thought. On this account, it would be a just subject of regret and condemnation, if the earliest portion of our present services should be of a kind to promote, rather than to allay, the hostility of one denomination, and the jealousy of another; and we were now introduced into engagements, the most

responsible and serious in which man can possibly be employed, in a spirit of emulation, rather than of peace, and of party feeling, rather than of holiness and love. Many, I am well aware, will be the defects attaching to that part in these proceedings which it is mine to fulfil:-but from the evil thus referred to, it shall be my study to escape; and, if I fail in every thing besides, I trust I shall not fail in having refused to minister to the further estrangement of brethren, already but too widely severed from each other.

I. Before we enter directly upon the examination of those great principles involved in the transactions of this day, and which distinguish the churches commonly called independent, or congregational, from those by which they are surrounded; it may be profitable for us briefly to consider, the manner in which all such inquiries ought to be conducted, and the sources of information to which we ought to apply. For, it may be, that some who hear me may have been accustomed to view the whole matter in so different a light from that wherein it may now be placed before them, as not readily to admit the justice or the force of conclusions, which they are yet not prepared to dispute; or perhaps to regard that as trivial and unimportant, or else as inconsiderate and presumptuous, which they may now hear stated to be of fundamental consequence in the government and structure of the church. Some may perhaps expect the argumentative discussion of our whole system of ecclesiastical polity;—whereas