PREFACE.

At a period when so many able and elaborate publications, in various forms, have appeared, in defence both of Ecclesiastical Establishments generally, and of the Church of England in particular, the Author would not have presumed to offer the following Sermons to the notice of the public, if he had merely consulted his own judgment, and followed his own inclinations. His object would have been sufficiently answered, in calling the attention, and directing the inquiries, of his own Congregation to the question. He would have been satisfied with the hope, that, for the purpose which he had in view, they had not been unprofitable. In deference, however, to the judgment and feelings of the Congregation, and in compliance with their very general wishes, he now commits them to the public ordeal; not supposing, that he has been able to adduce any new arguments, or to throw any new light on the subject; but simply hoping, that they may not be entirely useless beyond the walls of the Church within which they were delivered. Composed, and hastily revised, amidst many interruptions necessarily connected with a laborious office, they crave an indulgent consideration. An Appendix has been added in the hope of elucidating some points touched upon in the Sermons.

The Author acknowledges his obligations to Dr. Dealtry's excellent Sermon, preached before the Prayer Book and Homily Society in May 1833, to which he has frequently referred.

Leeds, 22d May, 1834.

SERMON I.

PROPHECY OF JEREMIAH, VI. 16.

THUS SAITH THE LORD, STAND YE IN THE WAYS AND SEE, AND ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS, WHERE IS THE GOOD WAY, AND WALK THEREIN, AND YE SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. BUT THEY SAID, WE WILL NOT WALK THEREIN.

In one of the collects* of our Church we offer up this petition to Almighty God, "Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness,"

a petition, at all times, most proper and necessary; but especially in these days of political and religious agitation. The Churches of Christ, by the gracious Providence of God, have long been preserved from violent and fiery persecutions; and Christians of every denomination, and under every mode of worship, through the protection of our mild and excellent Constitution, are enabled to worship God according to the dictates of their consciences, "no one making

* 5th Sunday after Trinity.

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them afraid."

While the State has professed, and hitherto felt itself, as a Christian State, under the solemn obligation, to protect and uphold that comparatively pure and reformed part of Christ's Church to which we belong, and to secure to all the people of the land the privileges of public worship, and the means of religious instruction, in our National Establishment; it cannot be denied, that, whatever may have been the complaints of former times, it has given full toleration, and entire liberty of conscience, to those who refuse to conform to its doctrines, discipline, or worship; and has removed those tests and distinctions, which then seemed to constitute the only serious grievances of which they were disposed to complain. Well would it be for the interests of true religion, if the Churches of Christ in our land, though differing in form, discipline, and government, were united, both in the maintenance of the true faith, and in the cultivation of Christian charity; if, striving together for the faith of the gospel, they would unceasingly endeavour "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."* I feel assured, that I am not claiming too much for the National Church of which we are members, and, I think, that I am not speaking uncharitably of those who separate themselves from her com

* Ephes. iv. 3.