_hath had formerly Episcopal Consecration or Ordination_.” {22b} Now I conceive, a more complete answer to the question—“Who are they that have authority in the congregation?” could not be given by a Church which, as we believe and declare, reverences Scripture and the ancient authors. And hence it is that, while a Minister of the Roman Church officiates among us, upon a recantation and renunciation of his errors, without further ordination; a converted Dissenting Minister is _unable_ to do so; the one _having had_—and the other not _having had_—Episcopal Ordination. The time will not allow me to enter into that part of the discussion, whether an _exact personal_ succession of Episcopally ordained Ministers, can, or cannot be proved. Suffice it however for us, that we are incontestibly assured, that the _Institution itself_ has descended by an evident succession, even from the Apostles to ourselves. While men uncalled and uncommissioned venture to approach and minister at the altar—while our Apostolical descent is gainsayed, and the necessity of rightful ordination set at nought—it is bounden on us, my Reverend Brethren, who _are_ Episcopally ordained, to show that we bear no visionary dignity—no barren privilege—but a most sacred office, full of divinely-appointed power to strengthen and to sanctify those that in faith discharge it. Let _us_ show, by God’s help, in _our_ lives and labours that, in the Apostolical Ministry, there resides a living influence, stamping it as the ordinance of Christ, and conforming His servants to Himself. If _others_ must account for assuming a commission never given to them, _we_ must account if we abuse and neglect that we have received; and _ours_ will be the heavier reckoning. Let us then consider one another, within and without, to provoke unto love and to good works. Here is rivalry without collision—contention without strife. And God grant that a more abundant measure of a holier spirit, and a closer conformity to our Master’s pattern, impressed as a countersign upon our testimony, may henceforth and ever bear witness unto us, that if _any_ are Christ’s, so are _we_ Christ’s.