on which my union with the Redeemer, and, consequently, my acceptance with God, and my everlasting happiness, depend. These are matters about which I cannot be unconcerned, matters with which no wise man will dare to trifle.

Q. But there are many Christian communities differing among themselves on various important points, but each professing to be the true Church of Christ. Pray how are you able, in this case, to determine to which of the various communities you ought to give the preference?

A. One man adheres to the community preferred by his father. Another is a member of that which can claim a high antiquity.-A third prefers that which is countenanced by the State.-And a fourth is willing to attach himself to that which is most fashionable. But none of these are the reasons by which my choice is determined; for, although I admit that I would not rashly, and without cause, abandon the religious community to which my father adhered, yet his adherence is only a proof of his own wisdom or folly, but no indisputable evidence of the truth.— Although I admit that antiquity, in matters connected with religion, carries a powerful influence along with it, as nothing in this respect can be wholly correct, which cannot claim the sanction of antiquity; yet this is no good proof of the truth, as

error may grow old, and we know that many errors were beginning to appear even in the Apostolic age, still no length of time can change the character of either truth or error.-Although I would not, without reason, separate myself from the religious community countenanced by the State, because the State may be the handmaid of the Church, and enable her to pour out her blessings with a more liberal hand; yet the State might support Mohammedism, as well as Christianity, and therefore its support cannot be a safe guide to any one in search of the true Church of Christ.-And although I would not, without due consideration, withdraw from that community which has the support of the majority of my countrymen, as there probably is some reason why they prefer one ecclesiastical creed to another; yet I know that the truth has rarely been popular, and that in many countries, the great majority are at this very day supporters of error. The countenance, therefore, of the majority, does not operate in determining my choice in this matter; but I am guided to the Church of Christ, by the marks of truth which the true Church invariably exhibits. It is by these, and these only, that my choice is determined.

Q. I am happy to hear that you have discovered marks, by which the true Church may be dis

tinguished; but are you sure that they are such as cannot be mistaken?

A. If, after careful examination, they could be mistaken, they would not be distinct marks, nor could they be of any use in directing my choice. They may indeed be counterfeited, even as Satan can occasionally transform himself into an angel of light; but they can never be so counterfeited, as to render it difficult for any one, who will take the least trouble to investigate the matter, to detect the imposition.

Q. I am most anxious to hear you define these marks which will thus infallibly direct any one to the Church of God, how many Christian communities soever may surround her. Pray what are these Marks or Notes of the Church?

A. They are few, plain, simple, decisive, such as any one may understand, and any child may remember: viz. 1. The word of God; 2. The means of grace; and 3. A regular authorized Ministry. These are the marks which distinguish the Church of God. The word of God, as always understood and interpreted by the faithful, must be the only rule of faith and doctrine". The appointed means

a Vide Acts ii. 41, 42; Articles XIX. and XXIII; Homily for Whit-Sunday, 2d part; and Field's Books of the Church, b. ii.

"The Scripture," saith Vincentius Lirinensis, "is full and

of grace, must be regularly and duly administered; and the Ministers themselves must have a commission derived from Christ, empowering them to act in His stead. Where these three marks are clear and distinct, there the Church of God is to be found. Where any of them is changed or counterfeited, there the Church is in error. Where any of them is wanting, there the Church is not.

Q. On what grounds do you found your belief, that these are the marks of the Church of God?

A. We read that our first parents were placed in the garden of Eden, during their state of innocency, and there is reason to suppose, that this was a place of training for higher joys in heaven. The garden of God, may therefore be considered as figurative of the Church of God, which is a state or place where men are trained for the society of heaven. While in Paradise, or the Church of God, our first parents were blessed with Divine instruction, strengthened by Divine aid, and honoured with the Divine Presence. These were the three things which distinguished man's primary state of probation; the three things on which his happiness chiefly, or rather

sufficient to all purposes; but because of the manifold turnings of heretiques, it is necessary that the line of Prophetical and Apostolical interpretation be drawn down and directed unto us, according to the rule of Ecclesiasticall and Catholique sense." Field, b. iv. c. 14.

wholly, depended; the three things by which he was to be prepared for still higher joys, among the hosts surrounding the throne of the Most High. By these things, therefore, a state of happiness is determined. When our first parents transgressed, they were driven from the Divine Presence, deprived of the Divine assistance, and, as fallen creatures, no longer enjoyed the Divine instruction. The absence of these is what produces a state of misery.-But through the gracious goodness of God, all that was lost in Adam, was to be redeemed and restored in Christ. The happy state in which Adam was at first placed, was the Kingdom or Church of God. The miserable state into which he was driven, is denominated the world, or kingdom of darkness. The Redeemer came to re-establish the Church or Kingdom of God in the world, and under His banner to conduct mankind to a state where they should once more enjoy all the blessings which Adam had enjoyed. The will of God was revealed for man's instruction; the Divine assistance was promised through certain appointed means; and the Divine Presence was restored through the Redeemer, Who is EMMANUEL, God with us. In anticipation of the fulfilment of the great work of redemption, these blessings were conferred on the human race from Adam downwards, and, in consequence of the same