Reformation. O where shall we find anything in our days, which may be compared with the learning, the wisdom, the deeply devotional spirit, of the Fathers and Reformers of our Church? I should be content to say little of the two former points: but it was the learning and wisdom of men, who (so to speak) lived upon their knees; and entered fully into the precept "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thess. v. 17.) And these truly great and holy men, in coming out and separating themselves from the Church of Rome, shewed that fairness (in dealing with a Church so foul with corruptions and abominations,) which is too commonly denied to the Church of England, even by those who confess that in essentials she is sound. They took the onus probandi entirely upon themselves. They shewed themselves willing to carry submission and conformity to the utmost extent that God's Word would permit were glad when they could in conscience conform and obey: when they could not, they proved that they could not from God's Word. In short, I see in them, that the real Christian delights to surrender his own

will, whenever he may. He does not (like too many of our opponents) evidently rejoice in laying hold of an excuse for disobedience; which is the very spirit of rebellious perverseness and self-will. And, alas! when I look at some who have lately left the Church, I see too plainly what spirit they are of, by the bitter and captious manner in which they urge, and insist upon, the most frivolous objections, and such as have been a hundred times refuted! And what follows, when they have left it, but endless schism and separation among themselves? They stretch in wandering flight the weary wing above the desolate waters; but they have left the Ark, and they can find no rest.

The Lord of His infinite love and grace, give unto us that meek and humble spirit of ready and glad submission, which is as strongly characteristic of the Martyrs, as their heroic zeal for the Truth, and fervent love to Christ! Amen.

Before I finally conclude, let me direct your attention to another great excellency of the Church of England, which yet by very many

is counted a defect, and made a matter of complaint ;—it is this, that, according to the principles of our Church, the people have no controul whatever over the Minister, either as respects his appointment, or his ministrations. He is in every respect entirely independent of them. When any one is ordained, either Priest or Deacon, in our Church, there is full opportunity given for any one to mention, any impediment or notable crime, ... for which he ought not to be admitted to that Office' but this is the only occasion on which individuals of the Congregation are allowed to interfere. Ministers are appointed, presented, and instituted to Livings, in a manner entirely independent of the people. They continue from first to last equally independent. They are to be acknowledged by the people as appointed of Christ, in His Providence over His Church-(which may be either in mercy or in judgement-) and they are responsible to Him, and (under Him) to their Ordinary. Now this, I say, is the privilege of the Members of the Church of England. It is the privilege of the Clergy—

for it keeps them entirely independent of the people. They are not indebted to them for their maintenance, for the Law secures it. They are not indebted to them for their appointment, and therefore are not tied and bound by any obligation to them upon that account: but they have (if they have been acting upon right principles throughout) to acknowledge themselves called and appointed of the Lord alone, and therefore responsible to Him for the charge which He has committed to them. They are not responsible to them for their doctrine, their manner of preaching, or their conduct; but to their regular and proper Ecclesiastical Superior, and (through him) to the Great Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. And how could they properly discharge the Office of Pastors and Teachers,—or of faithful Ambassadors of Christ, if it were otherwise? It may sometimes happen under other circumstances, and under a different arrangement, that a man entirely devoted to God, and simply relying upon Him, rises above all the circumstances of obligation and dependence which surround him, and realizes those charac

ters, in spite of all opposition and temptation : but until he does so, he cannot execute his commission, nor discharge his Office aright. And here let us remember, that one of the most eminent men that ever lived since the time of the Reformation,—a man who was indeed a burning and a shining light, and the glory of the transatlantic Churches, in his attempts to do so, and for discharging his own conscience in opposition to the wishes of his Congregation, was dismissed from his charge by his perverse and ungrateful people; -and (as far as they were concerned) relentlessly consigned, with his whole family, to want and ruin! A Minister of the Church of England cannot be thus treated by his flock: and therefore he is not hampered or fettered, in the discharge of his solemn and momentous duties, by any considerations, whether of fear or favour. And this is no less the privilege of the people than of the Pastor, if they did

1 The case of the celebrated President Edwards is, I believe, too well known to need any fuller statement here, than the brief summary given above. See his life, prefixed to a volume of his Sermons, 8vo. London, 1785.