He actually has revealed His Will, and that the Book which we call the Bible contains that Revelation'. 4. ATHEISTS (i. e. men "without God"), who deny altogether the existence of a GOD. These contradict the voice of nature, which, by the regularity of seasons, the succession, growth, and decay of plants, of animals, and men, by the course of the planets and all its other wonderful works, attest the existence, power, and goodness of a Superior Being, who must have made all these. things at the first, and now continues and preserves them. These four Classes may be placed together, because to all four the same passage of St. John is applicable. "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the FATHER"," and of all four it may be truly said, "They have trodden under foot the Son of GOD, and counted the blood of the Covenant an unholy thing, and done despite to the SPIRIT of Grace 3." II.-Those who receive and teach a part but not the whole of the Truth, erring in respect of one or more fundamental doctrines. Under this head are included most of what are called "Protestant Dissenters." The chief of these are,— 1. PRESBYTERIANS, so called from maintaining the validity of ordination by Presbyters or Elders only, in other words, by the second order of the clergy, dispensing with and superseding the first'. 2. INDEPENDENTS, so called from being opposed to and independent of all ecclesiastical government'. 3. METHODISTS (subdivided into an immense variety of sects; the chief are Wesleyans, Whitfieldians, or Lady Huntingdon's, 1 See Leslie's Short and Easy Method with the Deists. 21 John ii. 23. head. 3 Heb. ix. 29. From this error have sprung all the Sects enumerated under this second 5 See Hebrews xiii. 17. Ranters, or Primitive Methodists, Brianites, or Bible Christians, Protestant Methodists, Tent Methodists, Independent Methodists, and Kilhamites). These three do not receive or teach the Truth respecting the doctrine of "laying on of hands," which St. Paul classes among the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, and by which the Christian ministry receives its commission and authority to administer the Word and Sacraments. For they one and all reject the first (i. e. the Apostolic, or, as we now call it, Episcopal) order of clergy, who exercised that rite according to the New Testament, and without whom there is no warrant from Scripture for believing that the Clergy can be appointed, or the Sacraments be duly administered 2. 4. BAPTISTS, who have departed from the Truth not only as concerns the doctrine of "laying on of hands," but also as concerns the doctrine of Baptism; another of the fundamental doctrines, according to St. Paul. For they refuse to permit their children to receive that sign of admission into the Christian covenant. Thus they contradict the Old Testament, for there we find that to the Christian Covenant, or Covenant in Christ, which God confirmed with Abraham, children were enjoined to be admitted; and those children whose parents withheld them from receiving the sign of the covenant, were counted by God to have broken His covenant 4. They contradict also the New Testament, for there our Saviour says, "Suffer little children to come unto Ime and forbid them not";" and St. Paul declares that where either parent is a believer, then " are the children holy," i. e. admissible to the covenant of grace. 5. QUAKERS, who reject altogether laying on of hands, and both the Sacraments. Besides these are, especially in Wales, JUMPERS and SHAKERS, 1 Heb. vi. 2. 2 See "Churchman's Manual," pp. 5-15. Acts xiv. 23. 1 Tim. v. 22. Tit. i. 5. 3 Gal. iii. 17. 5 Mark x. 14. 4 Gen. xvii. 14. 61 Cor. vii. 14. a chief part of whose religious worship consists in violent exercise and contortions of the body'. III.-Those who teach more than the Truth. Under this head are included all who teach besides the Scriptures, something else as of equal authority with what is contained in them. The chief of these are, 1. ROMANISTS, or PAPISTS, (so called because they are the followers of the Pope or Bishop of Rome,) who teach that the images of God and of the Saints ought to be worshipped; that the Virgin Mary and other Saints ought to be prayed to; that in the Lord's Supper, after consecration, the bread is no longer bread, the wine no longer wine; that all churches owe obedience to the Pope of Rome, &c. &c. They have at different times attempted to confirm these doctrines by pretended miracles. 2. NEW JERUSALEMITES, or SWEDENBORGIANS, so called from their leader, who pretended to have received a new revelation. 3. SOUTHCOTIANS; the followers of Johanna Southcote, who pretended to be a prophetess. 4. IRVINGITES; so called from one of their chief leaders, who pretend to have received a new Revelation, and a new order of Apostles, which, like the Papists, they attempt to confirm by pretended gifts of unknown tongues, prophecy, and miracles; like all under this head, a mixture of delusion and imposture. Churchman, whosoever thou art, that readest the list of follies and errors in the 2d and 3d classes, into which the pride of man's heart and the wiles of Satan have beguiled so many of those who 1 The Moravians are purposely omitted: for they cannot well be said to be opposed to the Church. They lay claim also to an Apostolic or Episcopal Ministry, though it is believed that they are unable to substantiate the succession. 2 See "Churchman's Manual," pp. 15—19. call One word more. From each of these three Classes, which have been here considered, the Church of England has undergone persecution. 1st. In the 4th and 6th centuries, from those who -reject the Truth, when they who denied that JESUS is the CHRIST, the Son of the living God, expelled and murdered those who believed in Him, and called upon His Name. 2nd. In the 16th century, from those who teach more than the Truth, when the Papists or Romanists burned alive those who rejected their corrupt additions to the Catholic faith. 3rd. In the 17th century, from those who teach less than the Truth, when the Protestant Dissenters expelled and barbarously treated the Clergy, shut up the Churches, and forbade the use of the English Liturgy. But on each occasion, though it pleased GOD for a while to try the faith and constancy of his servants by sufferings, He failed not finally to deliver his people, and to protect and strengthen His Church. 1 1 Cor. i. 2. 3 2 Pet. i. 16. 2 Matt. xxii. 16. 4 2 Cor. iv. 2. At the present time, these three Classes of opponents have united their forces, and unbeliever, Papist, and Protestant Dissenter, obeying Satan's bidding, are endeavouring to do that together, which they have failed to do singly, namely, to overthrow and destroy our branch of the Catholic and Apostolic Church. And it is not improbable that God, for our correction and improvement, or for the glory of His name, may again put the faith and constancy of His servants to the proof, by permitting them to suffer afflictions for His name's sake. But as He is "the same yesterday and to-day and for ever'," His power undiminished, His truth unchanged, we may rest assured, that if we will be true to Him, He will be true to us; and will protect the Church of His Son, which is "built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, JESUS CHRIST Himself being the Chief Corner-stone"," and concerning which Church, that Son has said, that "the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." Fear not, therefore, neither be faint-hearted; has not GoD commanded you? Be strong, and of good courage! These Tracts are continued in Numbers, and sold at the price of 2d. for each sheet, or 7s. for 50 copies. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. G. & F. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE. 1839. GILBERT & RIVINGTON, Printers, St. John's Square, London. |