CHAPTER II.

The Church of England, as by law established, is, if properly and efficiently administered, peculiarly adapted to maintain and perpetuate the Christian religion, and to meet in every way the spiritual wants of the nation.

IN laying the foundation and erecting thereon the important edifice of our ecclesiastical polity, the founders of our church proceeded with all that caution, wisdom, and piety, with which they were so eminently endowed. Beside their own salvation, they had no private interests to serve. Their great object, therefore, was the glory of God, the promotion of true religion, and the best and highest interests of their own and succeeding generations of men. With these in view, the Scriptures in their hands, and the fear of God in their hearts, they formed and adapted, as far as possible, all their plans and regulations according to divine truth.

In the prosecution of this great and holy work, in which were combined so many important interests, extending through so many successive ages and generations of men, they wisely adopted that form of ecclesiastical polity which was the most

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, &c.

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consonant with the light of revelation, apostolic and primitive practice, and the example of all Christian churches from the earliest period down to their own times.

In coming to this determination, their great learning, their deep piety, their extensive knowledge of the Scriptures, their acquaintance with ecclesiastical history, and their patient investigation of every circumstance connected therewith, or capable of throwing light on the subject, all more or less aided them. And however some may have called in question the certainty of the fact, they will find it difficult, if not impossible, to meet with any authentic instance, wherein any church, regular or dissentient, down to the reformation, bore any other than the episcopal form. This form of church government, while it affords all the advantages which belong to, or can be communicated by, a regular successive and universal ministry for the religious benefit of the nation,-embraces such a wise inspection and superintendence over both ministers and people, for their individual and general good, that nothing can exceed it, if administered by proper and efficient hands; in securing to the church in every age, a regularly continued and orthodox ministry; to the people, a constant attention to their spiritual wants; and to the nation at large, that peace, order, and harmony, which are so essential to the happiness of man.

But however apostolic and scriptural may be the platform of the church to which we belong; and however wisely devised to maintain and propagate the interests of true religion, to promote the best and highest interests of man, and the peace, order, and happiness of the land; it was clearly foreseen by her founders, that she would be totally inefficient for the purposes intended, unless her various offices and departments were filled and administered by duly qualified, honest, faithful, holy, and truly devoted men.

To secure, therefore, as far as possible, this most important point, the founders of the church cautiously and prudently adopted the most wise and practical plans. In short, so important did it appear to them to have a duly qualified, holy, and devoted ministry, that if all the regulations adopted by them for this purpose, were duly and strictly attended to in the fear of God, it would be almost impossible either for an improper person to get into the ministry, or for any one to be retained there, or instituted to any ecclesiastical benefice, unless he was, in the best sense of the terms, truly orthodox in his doctrinal sentiments, and a really converted man.

Next to securing a ministry of this description, the founders of the Church considered it a matter of the utmost importance for her peace and prosperity, the interests of true religion, and the benefit of the people, that this ministry should all enter

tain and inculcate sound doctrine; and, as far as possible, be of one mind respecting those great and essential truths of Christianity, on the right understanding and faithful and practical reception of which depend entirely the salvation of man.

For this purpose they carefully drew up the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion. In these articles is comprised a scriptural summary of all the leading and essential doctrines of Christianity, as inculcated in the word of God. To these doctrines every minister is required, ex animo, to subscribe. He is not to understand them in any other way or sense, than the plain, literal, and grammatical meaning of the language used, or to inculcate any doctrine which is contrary thereto, or which cannot be fairly proved from them, in connexion with the word of God. To assist the incompetent, and to shew to all her ministers the manner, application, and use of that kind of instruction which they considered essential for the right information of the people in all necessary truth and duty, the founders of the Church drew up and published the two books of Homilies; and if their intention in this and in every other instance, had been always duly and strictly attended to, in the fear of God, the church in every age would have exhibited a very different aspect from that she has been wont; and we should never have been called either to witness or deplore that sad

and extensive defection from her pale which we every where behold. But all men are not honest; and where there is a want of principle in those who assume the sacred office in the church, the wisest measures for securing her peace and uniformity will be rendered of no avail.

This, however, is no impeachment of the wisdom of her founders, in demanding the uniformity required. On the main points of Christian doctrine there neither can nor ought to be any thing new. This being the case, the honour of God, the salvation of men, and the peace and prosperity of the church, clearly demand that a holy and strict uniformity of sentiment respecting them, should be constantly maintained. To prevent, therefore, a clashing of sentiment, and a war of opposing doctrines, when God has decided on the most essential points, must be desirable in the extreme. Thus saith the Lord, Every kingdom divided against itself, is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." St. Paul says to the Galatians, But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached, let him be accursed." The reasons on which he founded this fearful denunciation were these, "But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me, is not after men. For I neither received it of men, neither was I taught it, but

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