(3.) A creditable professi on, andunblemished, character and conversation may be deemed as a necessary and sufficient qualification for the holy communion. This is necessary, in order to keep, up the discipline, and preserve the purity of the church; and it is sufficient, because we do not find that our sacred rule requires any thing farther. And

(4.) As soon as the members of the church are satisfied of this general qualification of the candidate, they have no right to refuse their assent to his admission.

(5.) Provided they have this satisfaction, it is not material by what means they receive it. Sometimes the elders of the church are deputed to confer privately with the candidate, and enquire into his knowledge of the design and nature of this ordinance; and whether his views and ends in desiring to join in it be sincere and right. Sometimes this is left entirely to the minister, whose business it more properly is; who, if he be satisfied in those points, acquaints the church of it at the next ensuing sacrament: and thereupon declares, that if any of the members present do not signify to him (before the next sacrament) any objections against the candidate's admission, he will then (by their consent) be admitted to the ordinance, as a member of that church. In other churches,

churches, members are admitted by the minister only, without any notice given to the church un-> til the very time of their admission; nor even then are they apprized of it any other way, than by a few petitions in the minister's prayer particularly in behalf of the new-admitted member.

(Lastly.) The church has an undoubted right to expel irregular and unworthy members: This is generally done at first by suspension; when the minister intimates his desire, and that of the church, to the delinquent member, that he would refrain from coming to the sacrament till he hears: farther from him; which is generally sufficient, without the solemnity of a formal and public expulsion.

CHAP:

CHAP. VII.

OF VISITING THE SICK*.

THIS is a very arduous and delicate office, and especially in some circumstances; and a different method of address and conduct is requisite according to the different characters of the persons you visit.

It

* "Not only sickness, but every kind of affliction, temporal losses or the death of relations, is an occasion which merits the presence and assistance of a minister. Adversity of every kind demands both sympathy and consolation; and to weep with those who weep,' and to comfort them if possible is a noble employment."

Gerrard's Pastoral Care, p. 164. "These are some of the mollia tempora fandi, seasons, when the mind is awake, attentive, tender and easily impressed; and good advice and pious reflections are suggested with great advantage, and ordinarily with good effect."

Furneaux's Charge, p. 63.

"Besides

It will therefore be proper,

I. To lay down some general rules to be ob served, in order to a right execution of this part of your duty.

II. To specify some particular cases.

I. To lay down some general rules to be observed, in order to a right execution of this part of your duty *.

"Besides visiting the sick, another natural introduction to clergymen, intent on conveying private instruction, is any great calamity; and especially the decease of relations and friends. The voluntary act of humane attendance on survivors, in families where a disease has proved fatal, should always be added to that performance of duty which the rules of our church exact. Such events soften the mind; and dispose it to serious discourse, and to acts of devotion. Readily embracing these opportunities, the good minister of Christ, will prepare himself to heal the wounds of grief by the best topics of christian consolation, he will also select or write prayers adapted to ordinary occurrences of this nature: that when a fit season presents itself, he may lead the devotions of a distressed individual or family; reminding such of St. James' precept, Is any among you afflicted, let him pray." Dr. Newcome's Primary Charge, as Archbishop of Armagh, p. 23, 24. T.

"In every thing that a minister says to a sick person, he ought to keep three things steadily in view; the influence which it may have on the person, if dying; the influence which it may have on him, if he recover; and the influence it may have on persons in health, who are about him."

Gerrard's Pastoral Care, p. 168. T

(1.) A previous preparation for it is very proper; by considering what kind of address will be most necessary and suitable to the person you visit. It is something strange (as a late judicious divine well observes, that ministers who take so much pains to prepare for the work of the pulpit, should generally take so little, to prepare for this, which is one of the most difficult, and most important offices in the ministry*.

(2.) It would be adviseable to have in readiness a good store of scripture-expressions, adapted to the support and comfort of the afflicted; which may be easily collected from the common-placebook to the bible; and, out of these, chuse such as are most applicable to the case of your friend.

(3.) Adapt yourself to his taste and understanding, as well as to the circumstances of his case; by making such observations, and using such expressions as you know are most familiar and agreeable to him: But take care to explain the phrases you make use of, if you have reason to think he does not understand them.

Cette fonction est aussi une de celles, dont on s'aquite le plus mal. La pluspart des ministres n'y aportent aucune préparation. Cependant, elle n'est pas moins difficile qu'imOn se prépare pour les sermons, mais non pas pour voir les malades.,

portante.

Ostervald du governement de l'Eglise, p. 307.

(4.) Let