iniquity, would be to partake of iniquity itfelf; and not at all reflecting that to preclude redress of flagrant and notorious grievances, is to encourage infolence, oppreffion, and injuftice; that we are almost as much indebted to the interpreters, as we are to the first framers, of our laws; and that ingenious arguments, followed by judicious decifions, give stability and certainty to many points, which the irremediable imperfection of the laws themselves has left undecided.

That contention of every kind is carried on with unbecoming rancour, and frequently upon frivolous pretences, cannot be denied. Remedies are allowed for injuries apparently trifling, but thofe acts which, taken fingly, are of no confideration, may become formidable by repetition. One wilful encroachment is perhaps a prelude to many more. The laws fpeak not the language of revenge but fecurity; the fword itfelf is drawn to fecure the olive branch.

The foregoing flight review of the evils arifing from Separation may tend to confirm our own faith, and increase our gratitude to that Church, which keeps us at an equal dif

tance

tance from levity and gloominefs, from defpair and prefumption, from uncharitable cenfure, and affected candour. With popular prejudices and trite accufations, with thofe reflections which one communion of Chrif ftians wantonly deliver against another, we have no concern.

Nothing can properly create reprehenfion, but that which is openly profeffed and avowed; nothing ought to be alledged from imperfect furmife, or remote deduction. Abfurd confequences may enfue, which men do not forefee. Long continuance in any perfuafion reconciles the mind, and establishes habitual approbation.

Whatever is good and laudable in any denomination let us ftudioufly follow, always remembering that, though not united together in the visible Church of Christ, we have fellowship in the invifible, that we are all heirs of the fame promifes, partakers of the fame grace. May we gradually prepare ourselves, even during our outward difunion, for the happy union which we all fincerely wish for among the fpirits of just men made perfect.

SERMON

SERMON VIII.

1 JOHN iii. Part of Verse 2.

IT DOTH NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE.

F what has been already delivered may

It

tend to leffen mens prejudices against the Church of England, if it may shorten controverfy, and enforce mutual forbearance, the most fanguine expectations will be fulfilled. There are, however, abufes under the best establishment, for which the first framers of that establishment are not answerable. These abuses increase the number of Separatifts, who, not making the proper diftinction between our principles and our practice, afcribe the perverfions of the latter to the imperfections of the former. In taking a review of

the

the present state of Religion, we ought, with a becoming freedom, and yet without prejudice or malignity, to point out the reigning vices and errors of the age in which we live. After which will be fubjoined fome conjectural Remarks upon Prophecies which yet remain to be fulfilled.

And first, let us point out the reigning Vices and Errors of the prefent Age.

To compare it with past times is neither juft, necessary, nor practicable. It is not just, because, if the wifdom and experience of those who have gone before us have not added both to our knowledge and our goodness, we are much worse than they. It is not neceffary, because, if we should appear to advantage, the misconduct of others will be no excufe for ours. It is not practicable, because the memorials of former times only furnish us with a few characters, confpicuous for their virtues or their vices, while the generality were either unknown, or are forgotten. Hiftorians indeed, of lively imaginations, exhibit what they deem a faithful picture of the most barbarous and uncivilized people; they please the fuperficial, and they deceive the

unwary,

unwary, obferver. A cool and confiderate enquirer foon discovers that the representation is ideal.

That bigotry is every day decreafing amongst us, must be acknowledged with fingular fatisfaction. But let us seriously ask ourfelves, whether this boafted liberality of sentiment be not owing in many to indifference or lukewarmness. Does there not reign amongst us a general inattention to the offices of religion? Does not every frivolous excufe keep us from divine worship? If we ought not to confider ourfelves as fent to reform mankind, would it not at least become us to discountenance thofe who endeavour to overturn religion and morality? If freedom of thinking upon fpeculative fubjects be allowed, if falsehood itself be beneficial towards the discovery of truth, yet furely those laws are imperfect, that government is remifs, which have provided no punishment for the avowed and shameless Advocate of adultery. The dif penfers of justice have been fufficiently zealous in difcouraging publications which inflame the minds of the people. Why are they unable to difcourage thofe which may corrupt the morals? Our dramatick perform

ances