munion, when I assert, that at no period, since the Reformation, has the Church of England manifested a more tolerant spirit, or more firmly maintained the sound principles of the Christian faith, or more more faithfully inculcated the pure doctrines and precepts of the gospel through the preaching of her ministers, than at the present day; and, that at no period have different denominations of professing Christians had less cause for complaint; although, supported by heretics and infidels, in their apparent eagerness to level distinctions and to increase their political importance, they rail against her with more bitterness, and assail her with greater violence.* We readily admit the imperfection of the best human institutions, and their natural tendency, under the necessary administration of imperfect and sinful men, to corruption and abuse; but have the defects or abuses of our Church, whether real or imaginary, been, of late, more encouraged? or, have they been continually multiplied? Has she been more repulsive or more domineering over those who embraced not her creed? Has she been more encroaching on the rights of conscience, or less disposed to listen to the complaints, and to concede to the claims, of those who considered themselves unjustly aggrieved? Is it not manifest, that, as important concessions

* See Note A.

have been made, fresh demands have been more urgently pressed? that, since distinctions have been removed or lessened, a more bitter spirit of hostility to the Establishment has been exhibited, and increasing efforts have been, and still are, made to break down every barrier, which the piety and wisdom of our Reformers deemed necessary, for the support and maintenance of religious worship and instruction? Our active assailants, loud in their claims, and bold in their assertions, demand the entire separation of the Church from the State, contending, that a national religious establishment is unscriptural, and therefore unlawful that it is an evil, which ought not to be tolerated, much less encouraged.* It is neither my habit nor inclination, in general, to enter upon the consideration of questions of this nature in the pulpit; but the times, in which we live, are, in many respects, extraordinary; the circumstances, under which we are placed, are strange and peculiar. It has been truly observed, that, in matters of religion especially, men have generally a natural veneration for antiquity, and that, when they are not influenced by better motives, their prejudices are on the side of that which has been long established: but now a spirit of innovation, encouraged where it should have been

t

* See Note B.

checked, is in active operation; directed, in many quarters, not only against the well-being, but also against the existence both of civil and ecclesiastical Establishments. A restless desire of change prevails a lust of experiment, on the most momentous subjects, affecting not merely the temporal, but the spiritual welfare of our fellow subjects: the doctrine, comparatively new, is enforced and propagated, that a Christian Government, as such, should make no provision, by a national Establishment, for the maintenance of the true faith and the due celebration of Christian worship; and that every man should, in this respect, be left to walk in the way of his own heart, subject to no other restraining or persuading influence, in matters of religion, than that of the voluntary teacher. Unceasing attempts are made, in all parts of the land, to induce men to despise and forsake the old ways, and to place themselves under the guidance of superior and more spiritual leaders, and by the assistance of new lights, to seek and walk in new paths. Accustomed, as we have been, to venerate that Established Church of which we are members, not merely from education and habit, but, I trust, from conviction of her excellence; we shall not, perhaps, find it unnecessary or unprofitable, under existing circumstances, to enter upon the consideration of those principles on which she has been founded, and of those claims which she

presents to our cordial regard and zealous support. Sensible of imperfections and abuses, which, in a greater or less degree, are inseparable from the best human institutions, she shrinks not from the closest examination: she rejects not, but would welcome, the friendly hand, which, under the divine direction and blessing, might become the means of restoring her purity and increasing her efficiency. While many, who aspire to be the leaders of bodies of Dissenters, vie with infidels and ungodly men in the violence of their language and the fierceness of their attacks; and others, from whom better things might be expected, are scarcely restrained from joining in the cry, "Down with it, down with it, even to the ground;"* we have confidence in the protection of the Almighty: in vain they rage, if he rebuke their fury, and curb their violence. 66 Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further.Ӡ Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it."

66

Now, in treating upon this subject, I shall endeavour to shew with regard to religious establishments in general,

1st. THAT THEY ARE SANCTIONED BY THE PRACTICE AND TESTIMONY OF ANCIENT TIMES. 2nd. THAT SUCH INSTITUTIONS ARE NOT UNSCRIPTURAL-THAT THEIR PRINCIPLE IS CON

* Psalm cxxxviii. 7. Prayer Book version.

↑ Job xxxviii 11.

Isaiah lxv. 8.

SISTENT WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD'S WORD -AND THEIR MAINTENANCE, DIRECTLY OR

INDIRECTLY, SANCTIONED BY HOLY SCRIPTURE. 3rd. We will notice THEIR BENEFICIAL TENDENCY AND GREAT EXPEDIENCY.

4th. We shall hence infer the DUTY DUTY OF CHRISTIAN GOVERNMENTS, TO EXERCISE THEIR AUTHORITY, IN PROVIDING AND SUPPORTING SUCH INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC WORSHIP

OF GOD, AND THE DIFFUSION OF RELIGIOUS

INSTRUCTION.

5th. I shall endeavour to answer SOME OBJECTIONS, COMMONLY ALLEGED AGAINST ALL

RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS.

may, then, properly be directed

Our attention

6th. To THE SCRIPTURAL CHARACTER AND PECULIAR CLAIMS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

AND, LASTLY, we will consider sOME OF THOSE DUTIES, TO WHICH THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PRESENT TIMES SEEM ESPECIALLY TO CALL US.

1st. Then, with regard to RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS in general,

THEY ARE SANCTIONED BY THE PRACTICE AND TESTIMONY OF ANCIENT TIMES.

With whatever disregard and contempt the bold and zealous advocates of innovation may seem to treat all appeals to antiquity, when the voice of