both; and I think I have the fupport of the infpired writers, and of our reformers, with the universal experience of real chriftians; and a whole volume of authorities might eafily be cited from our moft orthodox divines, if requifite, in aid of the fame truth *. It greatly astonishes me that any perfon fhould not fee this principle to be conftantly maintained in our articles, liturgy, and homilies, especially in the laft-mentioned, which, it is to be lamented that fo few perfons among the many who profefs themfelves members of the Church of England, attentively read, either in the original, or in the more modern ftyle of Nourse, or Sir Adam Gordon. The principle which I chiefly with to oppose is the blending together of a fpeculative faith, and outward morality, and mifreprefenting thefe as the whole of chriftianity; with the pernicious maxim" (as the prefent Bp. of Rochefter justly terms it) "that practical reli "gion and morality are one and the fame thing." These have flain their thousands and their ten thousands. Should any perfon continue to think differently from me on any of thefe points, I will not quarrel with them on that account; and hope that they will not with me. Let us mutually bear in mind the words of the apoftle, "Who art thou "that judgeft another man's fervant? to his own mafter he ftandeth or falleth t." If this fhould not be the cafe with all the objectors to these principles, *The reader will find many fuch in Dr. Knox's Chriftian Philofophy. Rem. xiv. 4. ciples, I will ftill indulge the hope, that their dif pleasure will be more than overbalanced by many being led to "fearch the fcriptures, in which they "think they have eternal life," and to difcern in what manner these teftify of Chrift *." I would wish all to adopt the conduct of the candid and liberal Bereans, "receiving the word with all rea dinefs of mind, and fearching the fcriptures daily, whether these things are fo." May Almighty God continually difpofe our hearts to this practice, in all humility, fimplicity, and fincerity; that thus we may be guided together, by his Holy Spirit, into all truth. How far Mr. Wilberforce's representation may be juft, refpecting the proportion of the profeffing members of our Church, who hold and teach the doctrines of our articles, &c. I will not take upon me to fay. He muft poffefs many more means of information on this head than myfelf. Ominous as fuch a view of our ecclefiaftical ftate must appear to all perfons who coolly reflect, it will neverthelefs afford them fatisfaction that the number of those who embrace and affert " the truth as it is in Jefus ;" notwithstanding the oppofition of a corrupt world, has, of late years, confiderably increased, and is daily increafing. I fpeak here of the holders and affertors of that truth which is at⚫tended with divine power; a ruling principle in the heart fufficient to "make us free, both from the condemnation and the power of fin. To the concurrent. John v 39. Aas xvii. 11. John xvi. 13. concurrent voice of thefe, I am willing on the present, and every other occafion, to add my feeble voice. The more adulterous and finful the generation in which we live, the lefs it becomes the followers, and efpecially the minifters of Chrift, to be afhamed of him, and of his words, "the power "of God unto falvation to every one that be-"lieveth." All good men muft furely cherish the hope, that divine light may again fhine bright in our temple of the Lord; that the original principles of our church may univerfally revive, to give to its venerable fabric both fplendour and durability. The prefent times, as Mr Wilberforce juftly obferves, more than ever require it. They do fo whether we confider the rapid increase of licentioufnefs and infidelity, or that declining reverence for establishments of every kind, which is but too evident to the friends of tranquillity and order. "Venienti occurrite morbo." Obftinately to close our eyes against the approaching, evils will not avert, but haften and increase them. It now becomes all, and especially the watchmen of Zion, to be zealous and alert on their feveral pofts. The forty days. are not yet expired, in which our fpiritual Nineveh is to be overthrown; but who will venture to affirm that they are not at least nearly begun? Let us not trifle with divine vengeance; but let us all, in our several stations, feek and enforce the real power of godlinefs, which alone can ftem the torrent of vice and unbelief, and procure us the love and favour of God, our only certain protection. I can+ 66 I cannot perhaps better conclude these reflections, than in the infpired words of the Pfalmift, "O 66 pray for the peace of Jerufalem: they fhall prof"per that love thec. Peace be within thy walls, "and plenteousness within thy palaces. For my "brethren and companions' fakes, I will wish thee "profperity. Yea, because of the house of the "Lord our God, I will feek to do thee good*.* Pfalm cxxii. 6. to the end. Prayer-book verfion, Collect for the 21ft Sunday after Trinity. "GRANT, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleanfed from all their fins, and ferve thee with a quiet mind, through Jefus Chrift our Lord!" A SERMON ON ISAIAH lvii. 20, 21. The wicked are like the troubled fea, when it cannot reft, whofe waters caft up mire and dirt. There is no peace, faith my God, to the wicked. HERE is, perhaps, no error more commonly prevalent in the world, than that a life of religion is a life of gloom and torment. Even were this really the case, there can be no doubt that every truly wife man would nevertheless embrace it, "looking forward to the re 66 compence of the reward." But, to be "wife unto "falvation," is, alas! the lot of comparatively few. The pride of the natural man" continually revolts against the things of the fpirit of God," and they appear foolifhnefs unto him; neither can he know them; " because they are fpiritually dif "cerned." Yet, furely, if it can be made appear, both by the unerring voice of revelation, and by our daily obfervation in the world, that a religious life is not only more profitable in the end, but alfo more agreeable in its progrefs, than that which is worldly or fenfual: It may then be hoped A [W. Appleton, Printer, Stockton.] that: |