ing, while they make a lafting impreffion upon the heart. In the Commination-Service, fo formidable to certain weak minds, we ufurp no power of judging our fellow creatures, wel condemn fin in the abstract, we condemn ourfelves for having committed it, that we may not finally be judged of the Lord. Perhaps it is more to be wished than expected, that the days appointed for humiliation and fasting might be devoutly observed. Such obfervance would contribute to the health of body and foul. A liberal and unrestrained participation of the good things of this life brings on disease, creates indolence and languor. And yet a total abftinence, as well as moderate forbearance, is but a fecondary purpofe when compared with a suspension of amusements and pleasures, with a temporary discouragement of that diffipation which the inftitution of the Christian fabbath, on many occafions, instead of reftraining, only tends to increase. The truth is, from former ufurpations, the Governors of the Church have loft all their authority, and the aid of the cipower, whatever reproachful names may vil be be given to it, is become neceffary to enforce those salutary injunctions, which are more of a fpiritual than a temporal kind. If power can be exercifed with wifdom and with efficacy, we should be little follicitous in whofe hand it is placed, and yet we may rejoice to fee it placed where it will excite the least fufpicion. Time has brought fome regulations and reftrictions into difufe. Let not the Church be answerable for inconveniences which no prudence of man can ever prevent, and let her adverfaries know, that we wish to filence their cavils by any thing fooner than by a penal statute. If some flight alterations in the Leffons, and in the Matrimonial Service, if a rubrick, explanatory of the real tendency of the Athanafian Creed, and a lefs frequent repetition of the Lord's Prayer, might prove fatiffactory, and induce them to unite in one Communion, perhaps our fuperiors would not be inflexible to these moderate conceffions. But what reafon is there to think that these will be fufficient? Several experiments have formerly been made without fuccess, in order to reconcile difcordant parties; and to endanger the adherence of our friends by a fruitless fruitless attempt to comprehend our enemies, would neither be prudent nor juft. The Liturgy comprehends the whole Chrif tian fyftem, it inculcates every doctrine and every precept of the Gospel; it destroys every vainglorious thought, and all reliance on our own unaffifted endeavours. Every prayer offered up implies that we will, to the utmoft of our power, promote thofe good purpofes which we wish to fee accomplished; and as Scripture does not enable us to judge what degree of affiftance will be granted us, nor how the affiftance is granted, the more humble and the more general our expreffions are, the better will they agree with the condition of frail and dependent creatures. It is true, indeed, that extreme diffidence might, through human weakness, end in fupine indolence. But, generally fpeaking, he who knows that all he can do is but little, will endeavour to compenfate, by diligence and perfeverance, what is wanting in ability. May a due fenfe of our infirmities add frength to our faith, and ferioufnefs to our repentance; and may that worship, which unites together high and low, rich and poor, under L the the humiliating but juft appellation of vile earth and miferable finners, gradually purify our hearts from every finful inclination, from every thought which exalteth itself against God, to whom, with the Son and Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and forever. Amen. SERMON O N VII. SERMON ROM. XVI. 17. NOW I BESEECH YOU, BRETHREN, MARK TRINE WHICH YE HAVE LEARNED, AND To preferve us ftedfaft and unmoveable in the principles of the Church of England, it may not be improper to take a general view of the mischiefs of Separation. What allowances the Almighty will hereafter make for weakness of understanding, or prejudice of education, is not granted us to determine. The condemnation of error implies no uncharitable judgment of individuals. But if the guide be blind, we muft guard against the obvious confequences of L 2 placing |