TRACTS FOR THE TIMES.
BISHOP WILSON'S MEDITATIONS ON HIS SACRED OFFICE.
No. 1.—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 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 come in 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 His sake.
He that doth not find himself endued with a spirit of his calling, hath reason to fear that God never called him……
Marks of a True Pastor.
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." 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.
