those who reject this interpretation, which refers not to the general doctrine of the Catholic faith (which is essential to salvation), but to the particulars of this Creed relating to it. This sentence therefore contains only a solemn admonition, without presuming to attach peremptorily the woe of perdition to the rejection of a mere human exposition of the Christian faith. To say less, or to recommend it less strongly, would seem to denote either an indifference to the spiritual welfare of others, or an uncertainty in the soundness of the faith we hold; motives which I trust do not, and never shall affect our hearts, who have supplicated to be kept stedfast in the faith, and have frequently prayed God in extended compassion to make known His saving health to all the nations of the world.

The latter of these alarming assertions appears towards the conclusion of the Creed: "This is the Catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved." After stating and explaining, as far as practicable, the essential articles of the Catholic faith-i.e., of the Christian verity— namely, the Trinity, and the Incarnation of our Lord after recommending the implicit adoption of them by a solemn admonition (but observe, with no woe annexed to the particular explanation here offered), the Creed concludes with a peremptory declaration, similar to that with which it opens, and which I have already shown to be fully justified and supported by the words of Christ. Thus,

the expression-"this is the Catholic faith"-is a simple recommendation of the statement which has been made of these two doctrines, and which, if weighed in the balance of the sanctuary,-if tried by the unerring test of Scripture, I am thoroughly convinced will not be found wanting. It is then added, "which except a man believe faithfully". which Catholic or general faith, as before alleged, unless a sinner adopts" he cannot be saved." You perceive therefore that here again, as at the beginning, and as our Saviour authorized, damnation is threatened only against those who reject the general faith, be that what it may, as it is revealed to mankind in the Word of God. In no case is it asserted that salvation depends upon the acceptance of the wording of all the particulars here set forth. To aid the understanding, and to expose heresy, they are indeed detailed for the conscientious consideration of every individual; and all who, after devout examination of the Scriptures, believe that they truly state the Christian verity, must of course connect them with the denunciation uttered by our Lord. Our Church, when asserting upon Christ's authority the necessity of a right faith, at the peril of losing salvation, in her wisdom proposes, as an addition, for your acceptance this explanation of truth and exposure of prevailing errors. Believing her statements to be Scriptural, she suggests that their rejection will cause your ruin. But surely an anxious and earnest suggestion of the danger of

denial is very different from a peremptory declaration (such as the Church of Rome avows), that to dissent from her teaching is to perish everlastingly. This would exclude the possibility of error, and would be an unwarrantable assumption of human infallibility.

If I have expressed myself so as to be understood, I have shown you that there can be no reason whatever for disliking this ancient and established Creed, except a disbelief of the doctrines it maintains, namely, the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation of Christ Jesus, which, together, are the foundation of all Christianity, and “without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before God." You can plainly see that it contains the very same grand and essential articles of faith, which the Apostles' Creed upholds; the circumstances under which it was composed having rendered it necessary to specify several particulars with considerable minuteness. You can also perceive how completely it may be vindicated from the charge of uncharitable condemnation; for in truth it is harsh only where tenderness would be falsehood, and when to speak mildly, or to keep back censure, would be to prophesy deceit. In short, the just and true opinion concerning this ancient form of sound words is this: that it is not damnatory, but declaratory; and that, though it certainly contains condemning clauses or assertions, these relate not to the human exposition of faith

which is proposed, but are simply and strongly expressive of that awful denunciation which Jesus had so distinctly pronounced, in the language of my text, against infidelity. And if you inquire why these severe denunciations have been made, I would answer, To do now what was requisite when the Creed was framed, namely, to impress upon ignorant and careless and hostile hearts the indispensable necessity of attaining a right knowledge of the Catholic faith, "which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved."

Having thus disposed of the Creed, by stating its history, design, and meaning, I must add a few words respecting you, who are so frequently called upon to repeat it.

If, after candid investigation of any important matter, a man's mind becomes impressed with its certainty and truth, this ought to produce an unflinching adherence to it, and an unceasing desire that others should adopt the same true opinions; while if, after full and patient consideration, the mind continues unconvinced by reasonable arguments and undeniable statements, it may fairly be inferred that the understanding is influenced by some unperceived or improper bias. Accordingly, concerning the subject, the vastly-important subject with which we have been engaged, if any of you feel reluctant to declare with decisive solemnity (as in the language of the Athanasian Creed) not only your own firm admission of the truths which

it so boldly avows, but also your sorrowful conviction that those who deny them are in imminent spiritual peril, I must plainly tell you the cause of your reluctance. You are conscious of not having given such deep and diligent attention to the subject as to authorize you to speak with boldness about yourselves or others; and consequently you have not as yet so learned Christ;" you have not as yet become so deeply impressed with the greatness and excellence of the Christian verity, as to find its essential doctrines most precious to your souls. Depend upon it that, if you are timid in declaring your own faith, and unwilling to warn others of the danger of error in a matter in which mistake must be eternal ruin, it is because "Christ is not in you the hope of glory," and because, notwithstanding your seeming tenderness, you are indifferent to their salvation, for whom He endured the bitter sufferings of the cross. It is ignorance of what has been written, that makes us reluctant to acknowledge all that has been done in our behalf; and if we are coldly indifferent to the religious sentiments of others, it is really because we do not ourselves esteem the wonders and the beauty of the faith, which we profess to hold. Oh! cease not, then, in your endeavours to obtain that precious faith, which if a man has, he need fear no evil; and when, by the enlightening influences of the Holy Spirit opening to your hearts the Word of God, you have attained to a right understanding of