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standing, among the lower orders, | vance in riches and power, and was. but by taking effectual methods to long retained amidst gross abuses' supply their minds with just notions of both, in the middle ages. If, of their duly towards God and man, in that period of durkness, ecclesiand place them under the habitual astics were licentious and illitedirection of sound principles and good rate, the body of the people was feelings. I need not inform you, still more deeply immersed in vice and my Reverend Brethren, that this is ignorance. It is true, that the scanour peculiar province, and that dal occasioned by the remissness the filial attachment, which is ma- of discipline, and the immoralities nifested by so many wise and vir- which infected the Church, undertuous persons, to the Church and the mined by degrees the foundations Clergy, is founded in a rational of the ecclesiastical power, and at persuasion of the superior excel-length brought about the Reforma. lence of our national faith and tion. Yet it does not appear that worship, and of the benefits de- the clergy in that day were less rived to the country from the ability respectable in attainments er móand zeul of its Ministers. I have rals than in several preceding cenadverted above to the influence of turies. The number of ecclesiasthe Clergy as one of the principal tics distinguished by learning and causes which ensured the safety of sanctity who respectively supportthe nation, amidst the extremes of ed the Reformation, or adhered to confusion and anarchy which agi- the Church of Rome, abundantly tated the neighbouring countries; proves the contrary. But of the and I cannot but think that any general improvement which took material diminution of that influence, place in society at the revival of letwhich is essential to the success of ters, the largest proportion had fallen their exertions, and of course still to the share of the Laby; the Clergy, morevits sextinction, would pro- from various causes, were not be ́duce, at no great distance of time, nefited in an equal degree: and the most injurious consequences both from this alteration in their relato the Church and State. Their tive circumstances, and its effect weight in society of course will on the feelings of the public, they depend on the estimation in which necessarily lost the ascendency, their character is held, and on the which had been preserved without manner in which they discharge their difficulty by their less meritorious duties. Allow me to call your at- predecessors in a darker age. In tention to these two points. referring to these historical facts, it is simply my object to urge the 2.The Laity have a right to necessity of maintaining our proper expect that the attainments, in position in relation to the mass of learning and piety, of the Clergy, society; to press the important considered as a body, should rise, truth, that, if other classes advance at the least, above the ordinary level in knowledge, intelligence, virtue, of other classes of society Such com- and piety, and the Clergy, whatparative excellence I believe to ever are their positive merits in all have been found in every country these respects, continue stationwhere the discipline or doctrine of ary, they are placed on a different the Church has been maintained level in regard to their flocks, and in tolerable purity. I even think will suffer a proportionate loss in it essential to the continued existence their credit and weight with the of any religious establishment. It was public, and consequently in their one of the most efficient causes of professional utility. It is incumthat respect for the sacred order, bent on us to advance with the prowhich occasioned our gradual ad-gress of the times; and every indi

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vidual should act as if the whole for some fancied neglect, which interest of religion depended on disposes him to mortify the pastor his personal character, and the in the tenderest point by defeatfaithful exertion of his powers ing his schemes for the benefit of within his allotted sphere. In all his flock, we see how great the ranks of society are numbers of necessity of the utmost assistance persons who are qualified to judge which personal qualifications can of our learning, of the soundness lend to his sacred function. But of our doctrine, and the efficiency if the Minister has on the one side of our instructions, and who regard to contend with the opposition of with disgust even the slightest in adversaries, he is assailed on the attention to duty, or impropriety other by the injudicious zeal of of moral conduct. And far be it real or apparent friends; who, purfrom us to consider this as an evil. If suing beneficial objects without such conscientious censors had the due regard to the means which direction of public opinion, their they employ, or sacrificing general honest inspection would be of the principles to the prospect of some greatest advantage to all classes immediate good, are disposed to of men, and, without offence be it accuse him of indifference, or bisaid, to the Clergy. But where gotted attachment to forms, if, knowledge is extensively spread, the through regard to good order or power it gives will be often exerted de-apprehension of distant conse→ trimentally. Even the spirit of pietyquences, he refuses to co-operate will sometimes act on erroneous in their favourite schemes. In the

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t; will be found in combina- midst of these difficulties our only

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with attachment to party, which gives an obliquity to its motions, or defeat its own intentions by an alliance with enthusiasm or folly.

real security will be found in a fixed resolution to act in every instance on deliberate views of duty, and a sincere and sober love of truth, under a controlling sense of that Supreme Authority, from which 3." It is not easy to calculate we derive our commission, as the the multiplied difficulties which, guides and teachers of our brefrom these and similar caușes, in-thren. The natural tendency of crease on the Clergyman, as the these principles to enlighten and world advances in knowledge, and tranquillize the mind, affords the create a corresponding necessity strongest of safe-guards as well of discretion in his conduct, and against error and indiscretion(more.. energy in the discharge of his du- frequently the effects of some unties. There have, perhaps, been due bias on the affections, than of times in the Church, when reve-natural weakness of judgment) as rence to official station might pro-against the transports of passion, tect the infirmity, or throw a veil which irritate, offend, and disgust, over the failings of the Minister and produce lasting resentments but now, when he is subjected at every and divisions. A Clergyman whostep to the scrutiny of inquisitive ma- acts on these motives, will have lice; when opposition is created to the advantage of moving with his honest endeavours to be use-authority, diguity, and freedom; ful, from so many various causes; he will retain his influence over his when the establishment of a school, friends, though he may refuse comor the enlargement of a church, is pliance with their prejudices; he resisted by one man from some will treat the gainsayer with kindness, wretched political prejudice, by ano whilst he exposes the unsoundness ther through caprice or perverse-of his principles; and will show ness, and by a third in resentment courtesy and friendliness to the dis

senter, without being supposed to tion has been such a famous stalk approve his errors. The general

rule of his proceedings will be, to ing-horse for so many years; has "overcome evil with good," by con

ciliation to all men, as far as it is so long been so useful to the parconsistent with the interests of

truth, and that enlightened attach-sons of all degrees, that it would ment which he feels to the Church, have been a wonder indeed if from a thorough persuasion that

the best interests of religion are

concerned in its stability, and that you had not brought it forth upon no particular advantage which can this occasion, though a very little be expected from popular favour,

or the exertions of irregular piety, reflection might have taught you, would counterbalance the evils

arising from the neglect of its dis- that you ought to have avoided it. cipline and ordinances, or the diminution of its salutary influence. This, I conceive, is the genuine

You here tell us that the French

liberality, which is the grace and Revolution was occasioned by the

ornament of the true Christian: a

virtue, as far removed from indif- parsons not having kept suffi férence, as from the contentious

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spirit which assumes the disguise ciently in advance of the people of zeal. The sentiment misnumed of France with regard to knowliberality, which looks with equal approbation on every sect that pro- ledge; that is to say, with regard fesses Christianity, is, in its most innocent form, a low and contemptible vanity; it is more frequently, perhaps, a profligate indifference to books. religion, or insidious hostility intending its ruin, by depressing the tions. established Church. But true li

to knowledge to be acquired from

berality is firm in its own princi-lution

This is one of your asserAnother is, that a Revo

has been prevented in

ples, while it looks with indulgence England by the parsons having

on the mistaken views of others

and never approaches so near to maintained their proper place; perfection, as in union with zeal,

under the direction of charity and that is to say, by their being in prudence. It would ill deserve the character of a Christian virtue, if it could lend its 'countenance,

however indirectly, to error or falsehood, or shrink from the defence of truth."

advance of the people in point

of knowledge of the sort just spoken of

These are your two principal

Here is my matter, Bishop; positions. They form the founda

and now I shall proceed to deal tion of all that follows; and I unwith it in the manner that I think dertake to prove them both to be

it calls for. The French Revolu-false. But before I go into this

proof, let me ask how this doc-to one or more troops of horse;

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trine of yours sagrees with the having kitchens, the fumes of doctrines of the Christian reli- which give an odour to the atgion; with the doctrines; or, per-mosphere, and gardens, coming haps, maxims, laid down by up to Mahomet's idea of Elysium; Christ himself. Did he depend did he ever say or insinuate, that on the erudition, or cunning, of it was necessary, in order to make the teachers, for the success of his word successful, that it should that doctrine, which he was teach-be taught by men, dressed in lawn ing? On the contrary, did he and lolling in coaches drawn by not say that it was from the six horses? You know well, that mouths of babes and sucklings; he chose for his Apostles twelve that is to say, from persons of men, from amongst the lowest of the simplest understandings and mankind; from amongst fishermanners, and most unostentatious men and labourers; and that, dress and appearance, that he when he sent them forth at last, expected his gospel to be spread he charged them to take neither abroad with success? Did he staff nor scrip; but to dépend for choose, for his Apostles, men their very subsistence upon what with immense estates, scores of the faithful might choose to bestow manors, scores of gamekeepers, upon them. Upon this condition and with apparel the most sump-it was that he promised to be with tuous that can be conceived? Did them always, even unto the end he ever say or ever insinuate, that of the world. the success of his saving word depended upon the teachers. of it having palaces for their places of residence; having parks well stocked with deer; having reti- clever than the rest of the communues of servants equal in number nity. You seem to forget all

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But you; what do you say Why, that the parsons must depend for success upon their being more learned, more knowing, more

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about the promise of Christ to be "religious establishment." What, with his Apostles to the end of Bishop? Do you think that the world, to guide and to sustain Christ's promise, to sustain the them in the performance of their teachers of his word, was a false labours. The staff and the scrip promise? You do, indeed, talk precept appears to have wholly about piety, as amongst the atescaped your recollection, as does tainments; but it is only in con also the reliance for support upon junction with learning;' and; inthe piety of those to whom the deed, the latter is considered by Apostles were to preach. Your you manifestly as superior in point idea is that of a very different of importance to the former You sort of apostles, and of very dif-do not think that any religious ferent means for their obtaining establishment can exist for any and securing an influence over length of time, without these atthe minds of the people, You tainments in learning. I believe, seem to place very little reliance, that the establishment that you if any at all, on that spirit, which have particularly in your eye we are every where told (from cannot long exist in its present one end of the New Testament to the other) is to be the sole guide, comforter and sustainer of the

preachers of the word. You go

Y so far as to say, at the beginning

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form, let the attainments of the parsons be what they may; but, at any rate, you here give up the great ground of reliance for stability; namely, the essential ex

of the second paragraph above cellence of the doctrines of Chrisquoted, that the "attai ments in tianity themselves, and the proElearning and piety of the Clergy" mised spirit it of Christ to animate must rise above the ordinary level and uphold the teachers of his of other classes of society. You Word, as perunchlistovali, in ay, « Feven think it essential to Leaving you to reconcile these the continued existence of any opinions of yours with the teach

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