CHRISTIANS.

And that EVERY CHRISTI

AN, AS HE IS TO ANSWER TO GOD FOR

HIS OWN ACTIONS, and NOT OTHERS FOR HIM, fo he is to JUDGE FOR HIMSELF HOW 66 HE IS TO ACT IN MATTERS OF RELIGION, AND NOT OTHERS TO JUDGE FOR HIM. *Where THIS PRINCIPLE doth NOT PREVAIL "there POPERY STILL REMAINS, THOUGH IT PASSETH UNDER THE NAME OF PRO

66

હૈદ

;

TESTANTISM and till this principle DOES PREVAIL, we can expect no completion of that “reformation which as yet can only be faid to be happily begun among ft us.”

I fhall begin with obferving, that this useful and laborious writer tells us nothing new, in the intimation that PERFECTION is not the lot of TIME; but a candid ftudy of the history of the reformation, by the fame hand, will furnish ample reafons for the ftate in which that happy work was left. And that it ever took place, that it proceeded to the extirpation of fo much pofitive error, as was wholly incompatible with Gofpel principles, and that it ftopt where it did, muft all be humbly and equally refolved into the infcrutable wisdom and unerring will of the Supreme Director. But that it triumphed over the defperate refiftance of its first oppofers (powerful, zealous, able, and indefatigable as they were) that it has occafion

1

ed fuch a profufion of light to be communicated to many nations; that it has refcued us from the tricks of prieftcraft and fuperftition, and helped to fecure to us the most precious liberties: all these benefits, I think, are incontrovertible figns, that it is NOT burthened with fuch grievous imperfections, difficulties, and dangers, as fome allege against it. On the contrary, it exacts the praife of all confiderate chriftians of the established church, that this bleffing has been continued fo long to This alone yields valuable evidence that it is fufficiently GROUNDED ON THAT PRINCIPLE *the Bishop mentions, as the ONLY RULE OF FAITH, viz. The SCRIPURES. That it would be more defireable IF ALL COULD BE BROUGHT OPENLY TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT,

us.

(as he alfo obferves) I fhall not difpute; but if this is to be an effential teft of its degree of perfection, it is more than ever yet did happen in the world, or ever can be expected in the nature of things: for what profpect is there, that a vast body of people will lay afide the rooted prejudices of their ancestors? Difcordant principles can never produce a rational

* This principle doth certainly prevail in the church of England, and therefore fhe cannot be justly branded with the ftain of popery.

C 3

or durable coalition. If alterations and conceffions were to be fubmitted to, many would fill be diffatisfied with the mode and measure of them, diffenfion and tumult would increase in proportion to the variety of opinion; whereas the barrier is now fixed, and each fide ought to be content with enjoying his own private fentiments, and public practice.*

But,

*Let us fuppofe, for the fake of argument, that particular forms of worship, and different ways of thinking upon religious topics, are in fome points exceptionable on both fides; ftill is it not more reasonable that the majority of a nation fhould require a teft of conformity to thofe religious tenets which are found congenial with the eftablished government of the land, than that the leffer number (who are no ways molested in the peculiar profeffion of their faith or exercife of their religion) fhould dictate to the legislature, which protects them equally with the reft of their fellowfubjects in their rights and liberties, civil and religious ? But prejudices which are not pofitively repugnant to reason and scripture, fhould not prevent us, as good chriftians and good fubjects, from uniting in all effential duties for the common good. Univerfal agreement in fuch matters will never Speedily take place on earth, but by miraculous conviction ; and perhaps this great variety of sentiment upon holy points may be finally inftrumental to fuch an event. But for that we muft wait God's time, and strive to worship Him in the mean while, in purity and fincerity, according as we have been taught, without interfering with each other, or cmbroiling the community by encouraging a baneful fpirit of innovation. And here I would pay a ferious compliment to the genuine Prefbyterian church, and fubmit to every pious member of it, whether they would not gladly have been

poffelfed

But, that the Bishop intended nothing depreciating against the Homilies (though the quotation is made with a feeming defire to intimate the reverse) is evident, in that people in general do believe, and ACKNOWLEDGE the reformation TO BE GROUNDED ON THE SCRIPTURE RULES OF FAITH TO CHRISTIANS.

Surely it argues a degree of unprecedented perverfeness, to except to times like ours, as not enjoying liberty fufficient. Are they not notorious for every fpecies of toleration? Do not all ranks JUDGE FOR THEMSELVES HOW THEY ARE TO ACT IN MATTERS OF RELIGION? Has any country in Christendom a greater variety of preachers and teachers, male or female, who diffeminate promifcuoufly without any hinderance, the instruction they individually de

poffeffed of fuch a general binding teft of uniform, and sound complete tenets, as might have effectually guarded against the heretical doctrines of Antichriftian philofophers, who, under the general title of diffenters, have divided and confounded the original body, by diffeminating fuch heterodox notions among the diffenting focieties, as to wean them from the found principles of their forefathers. The truly chriftian diffenter, therefore, will join in commending those invincible advocates of the pure and common christian cause, who have checked the impious effects of that pernicious philofophy, which would have poisoned the world with its profane and vain boastings and oppofition of Science, falfely fo called, and which many profeffing (through the fubtlety of the delufive fyftem) have erred concerning the faith.

Y

termine most neceffary for their hearers? The charge is truly curious; daily invectives are scattered abroad against the priesthood, while fpiritual directors ftart up in every corner, unmolested by any fuperior power. Doth this fhew a jealous, turbulent, or tyrannical temper in the miniftry established by law? Still the zealots for reformation, as they call it, are not content. Many wax cold in the orderly worfhip of the Church, neglecting to join their friends and neighbors in praifing God's name. in the place where first they were admitted into his family. They would have the truly Apoftolical mode of the church and fervice obliterated, and established uniformity fet afide. The clergy, reduced to the level of ignorance and poverty, with the general mafs of those they teach, and that they fhould relinquish all authority and power. In this they proceed falfely, upon the early error, That they take too much upon them, feeing all the congregation are boly, every one of them, and the Lord is among them and, therefore, we should not lift up ourselves above the congregation of the Lord. But whoever will look into the xvith chapter of the book of Numbers, will fee how heavily this principle was condemned and punished by God himfelf. In short, this levelling. fpirit of reformation, or rather INNOVATION, would have