TRACTS FOR THE TIMES.
BISHOP WILSON'S MEDITATIONS ON HIS SACRED OFFICE.
No. VI.—FRIDAY.
ORDINATION.
Question from the Office of Ordination.—Will you be faithful in ordaining, sending, or laying hands upon others? Ans. I will so be, by the help of God.
Jer. iii. 15. "O Lord, give us pastors according to thine own heart, which shall feed us with knowledge and understanding. ."
Acts xiii. 3. "And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." All Christians being concerned in this affair, all ought to fast and pray, in order to have faithful pastors. Quesn.
Apostolical usages ought to be kept up to, as proceeding from Jesus Christ Himself.…
Awaken and touch all our hearts most powerfully from above, that we may not forget our ordination vows. And, for Jesus Christ's sake, grant that I may not be answerable for the sins and the dreadful mischiefs that may follow, if not hindered by Thy grace. Amen. The conversion of souls is Thine, O Lord, and not ours; prosper Thou thine own works. It is not in us to save souls. Let us not sacrifice to our own net, but use the means, and ascribe all the glory to God; we of ourselves have nothing whereof to glory.…
John xxi. 7. "Jesus saith unto him the third time, lovest
