said ministers carefully to examine every such person to be ordained. Provided, that they who shall assist the bishop in examining and laying on of hands, shall be of his cathedral church, if they may conveniently be had, or other sufficient preachers of the same diocese, to the number of three at the least: and if any bishop or suffragan shall admit any to sacred orders, who is not so qualified and examined, as before we have ordained, the archbishop of his province, having notice thereof, and being assisted therein by one bishop, shall suspend the said bishop or suffragan so offending, from making either deacons or priests for the space of two years." To ask how many of the bishops, from their non-compliance with the injunctions here contained, are liable on information to the penalty denounced, might be considered a strange, though a grave and important question. Some there may be who strictly comply with the direction of the canon: but having never heard of such, and I have made some enquiry, I shall leave it to those whom it most concerns, to investigate a matter in which the interests of the church are so deeply concerned. I am aware that it is attempted to be understood that the examination enjoined in the canon, applies only to the questions put to the candidates, in the presence of the assisting ministers, in the ordination service. But the canon itself entirely confutes this supposition, positively stating, "that the

bishop shall admit none to sacred orders, who are not qualified and examined as we have before directed." And what was before directed? why, that every man must be able to answer, and render in latin unto the ordinary, an account of his faith, according to the thirty-nine Articles, and to confirm the same out of the Holy Scriptures. This, I take it, not only confutes the previous supposition, but also distinctly defines the line of examination which must be followed, in regard to the candidate's belief in, and understanding of all the doctrines contained in the thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England. But which of the bishops, or which of the examining chaplains, conducts his examination according to the directions here contained? I do most solemnly declare that I was never asked one single question about the thirty-nine Articles. I have questioned others at different times and from different dioceses, and they have distinctly stated the same, excepting, in one or two instances, some ensnaring question about the 17th Article. I will not say with some that the examinations are in all cases trifling. In many they are close and difficult. I will venture to say, that they are not generally in the way and order which the church designed. This, I take it, is such a sad and fatal circumstance to the candidates themselves, and so deeply affecting the interest of true religion and the church, that it cannot be justified, nor ought

But

it to be persisted in by the bishops, or tolerated by the state. Enough, and more than enough of mischief has resulted from this sad deviation from the declared design and order of the church. To this, more than to any other thing, must be ascribed that great difference of opinion which exists among her ministers, on some of the most important doctrines of religion, dangerous to the souls of men, and inimical to her peace and stability. Nor can this be remedied or prevented, but by a speedy return, and a steady and faithful adherence to her declared and original intentions. Let those, then, who are directed to examine for orders, direct their attention to this great and important point. Let them, indeed, acquire a knowledge of the literary attainments of the candidates, and sift them on all the points which it is necessary for a clergyman to know: but let them above all endeavour to ascertain their real character; their motives in offering themselves;-their views, intentions, and feelings respecting the sacred office to which they aspire;—their knowledge of the scriptures ;—and their private sentiments on all the essential doctrines of Christianity, as contained in the thirty-nine articles. In short, let them so manage their examinations, as to come, if possible, to the knowledge of their hearts. This, I take it, however deviated from in practice, is neither more nor less than what the canons require, and the church demands. She

has prescribed the rule to be observed, the matter to be inquired into, and how her doctrinal articles are to be understood, believed, proved, and confirmed. She requires no foreign aid,no eighty-seven questions,-no human systems to interpret her meaning. She is, and ought to be her own interpreter. What is briefly stated in her articles, she has enlarged upon and explained in her homilies, and her other accredited documents. There she has given the true sense of her own meaning; and had the rulers of the church strictly adhered to the directions she lays down, we should never have had to deplore either the sad divisions within her own pale, or that extensive departure from her, which we every where behold.

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But beside the matters already mentioned, the law of the land demands that every person to be ordained priest must have special gifts or ability to be a preacher. "In a minister," says Hooker, ignorance, and disability to teach is a maim, nor is it held a thing allowable to ordain such." St. Paul, in his directions on this subject, particularly mentions an aptness to teach, as one of the essential qualifications necessary to be attended to in every candidate for the sacred ministry. What attention is paid either to the directions of the church, the law of the land, or the word of God in this important matter, is too obvious to require mentioning. Generally,

nay, I may say almost universally, the special gifts and ability of the candidate to be a preacher, is never once inquired into, but is entirely taken upon trust. "It is true," says the London Quarterly Review, "that a liberal education, a moral character certified in a regular form, and a competent knowledge in the peculiar studies of the profession, ascertained by an examination of no great depth, do furnish the usual passports for holy orders: and we know not that any material alteration for the better could be made." But the founders of the church, and St. Paul, thought differently; and an act of parliament has rendered it imperative on the bishop, to ascertain whether the candidate has special gifts, or ability to be a preacher. Surely the reviewers must know that the special gifts, and ability in question, are a different and distinct thing from a liberal education. They have no need therefore to be told that many very learned men are very often totally destitute of the special gifts and ability necessary to be a preacher.

Whatever our spiritual rulers may think of this matter, or however lax and indifferent they may be with regard to the qualifications in question, the present plan of admitting into the ministry men whose disability to preach is notorious, is found such a maim and hindrance where it occurs, as utterly to destroy in the minds of the people all regard for the church, and in maný