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Las diagrammes auivanta illuatrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ifntr, ^ •PT-r^ Z%C CHARGE DELIVERED TO THE CLSRCV <\jf THE DIOCESS OF NOVA-SCOTIA^ AT TUB TRIENNIAL VISITATION *» HOLDIN IN * ••» THE MONTHS OF JUNE AND AUGUST, 1803, By the Right Reverend Charles Inglis, D. D* BISHUP OF MOVA-SCOTIA* ■Hf-H 1- H I I I ■»->• Th'' S.cohJ Edition : To which is fubjolned an Appendix, containing feme Papers relative to the Reverend Mr. fiuurkc's late publication. ./f ^' ^* \:0----V.>.. Hf A I. I F A X • ••• printed by JOHN HOWE, Print* to the King's Mift'jExcclIeBt Miyeftf> :',[ MDCCCIV. -■VM'*' J^BH ,r 1 1 I ! 1 1 Iv ^,' ; ^ / 1 ; .,■,' • 1 , „•' . -■ ,■ ,. ^ • |ij ^^v I vi' •; ^.vTi" <6he worft and vileft of n:en, — nay, that the moft contemptible and odious vermin — arc often employed for the lame j>ur- pote. ingsj - •»,... tnt, than to jed expedient iction. ^ed, may be For the fliort ifiires by our icn intended incrcafe his then purine r utter ruin, mifchiefxvas lid wJien we dy to battle." hinhisreach, :)uring State 5 to Britain, -and, where ;e, and ex- prefunicd to prevent her >'ho(e dcedf /itnefi'cd in difturbcr of >vidence to f no doubt. Iiat fomeaii t the Juclg- om the Jn- 2 worft and nptible and ; lame j)ur- poie. pofe. Armed with a divine commilTjon, the frogs, the flies, the lice of Egypt, were fcarcely lefs deflruc- tive to an idolatrous, hardened and impenitent peo- ple, than were the hail and thunders of heaven, or the overwhelming waves of the Red Sea. All nature and its various powers, all created be- ings, great and fmall, are in the hands, and at tlie command of Almighty God. He can make any of them inftruments of his juliice and difpleafure to pu- nifli offenders. Even the exorbitant ambition, the de- ftruclive fchemes of Tyrants, who occafionally flart up, big with purpofes of mifchief, and ftrut their hour on the ftiige of life, are fubjedt to his controul ; and are fo over-ruled, as to be ultimately fubfervient to the wife, benevolent deUgns of his Providence; and thefe defigns comprehend, not only what relates to Man in the feveral ftates and revohitions of i i;;3 earth ; but to his exiftence through eternity. To the Al- mighty therefore Ihould we fly in all times of danger; cfpecially at the prefent perilous conjun«5lure, and tJike fanduary under the fhadow of his wings, until this tyranny be overpaft ; repofing our firm truft in him for fuccour and deliverance. He has been plea- fed to confer many fignal mercies and ble (lings on us during the late war. A grateful, lively fcnfe, as well as a due improvement of them, is now become our indifpenfabic duty — fuch a duty, that the faithful difcharge of it, is the chief ground on which we can expecl: the blefllng of Heaven, and a continuance of former mercies. Clermont, December 2, 1803, " I,"'' I vV. ■. ■ ,* tt ^1 « J. n! ki. ' V \Ttie first Edition of the Bishqi's Charge, is strictly follmved in the present ; uhich is given merely to gratify many persons uho inquired for it, after the few Copies, first printed, lud been disposed o^i] if *fe CHARGE, <&*f. H ;.','} . v/ollmved in the uho inquired/or My Reverend Brethren, SEVERAL events have occurred fince we laft met here, which are very interefting, and claim ou,r attention ; and to. which it may be proper for me in the firft place to advert. It hath pleafed the Sovereign Ruler of the univerfe, and arbiter of human affairs, to call back the fword from deftroying ; to put a flop to the defolating rava- ges of a War, hitherto unexampled in the annals of the world ; unexampled both in its principle,in its ruinous confequenccs to religion, focial order, and human hap* pinefs ; as well as in the horrid cruelty and favage fe- rocity which marked the charader and progrefs of thofe who were its real authors. On our part,it was unqueftionably a war ofnecefllty and felf-prefervation ; to prevent the overthrow of our Religion and Civil Conftitution, and ourfelves from being the victims of athdfm, anarchy, and lawlefs an^- bition. Thrqugh the bleffing of God, thefe great ob- jects have been attained. The evils and calamities which^ # H I i V f. ■ (») . which have overwhelmed other countries, hare not reachedour Parent State, or its Colonies. Amidft tliat wreck of empires, that difmanberment and dcfolation of fo many nations, which Europe prefents to our view ; Britain, under the protection of Divine Providence, has withftoqd the flioc'k of foreign and domeliic ene- mies. Her Religion, her Laws, her Conftitution, have efcaped the general ruin. Nay, farther. — She feenis to have been placed in a dignified fituation, as the dele- gated inftrument of^Providence to arreft the progrefs of anarchy and impiety, and to vindicate the caufc of Religion, focial order, and regulated Government throughout this habitable earth. Among the lignal mercies of God to our nation, there is one which calls for our peculiar and warmcft gratitude. Whilft fo many Sovereigns in Europe, du- ring the late calamities, became vi(?lims of the enfuriate rage of Ir.fidel confpirators ;* our raoft amiable and beloved Sovereign has been prefervcd. It ought to Ixj confidered as a fpecial inftance of divine goodnefs, that fo pious and virtuous a monarch fliould fill theBritiih Throne ut a period, eventful and hazardous beyond exampl . The lame kind Providence \^ hich gave Him to be a efTmg to His own fubje(?ls, and eventually to all mank nd ; has alfo been his fhiekl asrainft fecret con- ipiracies, and open violence ; as well as agaiiift the common accidents of life. To His diftinguilhcd cha- rader we may, without hefitation, attribute many of the * The Kings of France and Sweden, and m Etnperor of Germany. (9) •ies, have not '• Amidft that ^nd dcfoJation ^s to our view; Providence, Jomefh'c cne- ftitution,havc — She feenis n, as tJic dele- I the progrefs f the caufc of Government our nation, and warmcft 1 Europe, du- the enfuriate amiable and t ought to Ihj oodiiefs, that iHthcBritilh lous beyond ch gave hVim :ventuaily to ft fecret con- againfl: tjie }ii(hcd cha- Jte many of the ofCerrcany. the blefTings which we enjoy, and much of the flicceft with which it plcafed Providence lo crown us during the late war. His character is indeed diftinguiflied, no Icfs by warm, uniform piety, and attention to the duties of Religion ; than by undeviating reftitude, anxiety for the welfare of His people, and the many Princely virtues which flied fo muchlultrc on His per- fon, and fccure to ilim the love of His fubjects, and of mankind. Our beloved Sovereign has given a recent inftancc of His fincerc defire to promote Religion, and of His paternal regard for the beft intcrefts ofHis fubjecls in this Province — I refer to the Charter which He has been plcafed to grant to our College. He beheld with approbation the laudable exertions of His fabjecls in this Colony for the attainment of thofc benefits which flow from a religious and liberal education. He con- .defcended to enquire minutely into our circumftances; and His benevolent mind difpofed him to adapt the proper remedy to our wants and fituation. At an early ilage of our progrefs, *'Hewas graeioufly pleafed to declare His intention of granting to this College a Royal Charter ; and of making provifion for its fupport.*** He directed that fums of money fliould from time to time, be appropriated towards the erecti- on * Thefe particulars are ftated in letters on the fubje(5t, now in my poflcfiion, from one of His Majcfly's principal Secretaries of ?tate, in the year 1789. The letters were written bv tlie King's exprefs command, From thofe letters it appears, that Religious Inttru(5lion, according to t'ne principles of the Church of England, and a fupplv of worthy Clergy- ' men for thcfc Colonies, where the leading ohje Reh'gion 2:ether ; for ?d. Rdigf- to degene- ning with- iiand, fre- sftraints of } of plung- afurcs ; as -an amply These ( " ) These public mercies, to which many others might be added, are unfpeakably great. They demand our. fincere thankfulnefs to Almighty God, who is the au- thor of them. A lively fenfe of them ftiould conftant^ ly dwell upon our minds. Our hearts fhould glow with every tender emotion of love, and gratitude, and praife to that greateft and beft of Beings, — ^** even the God who hath helped us ;** who hath fignally interpo- fed in our behalf, and " loaded us with benefits." And to praife and thankfgiving we fhould join a devout and ftri(5i: conformity to his holy precepts ; which will be the moft cxpreflive aft of gratitude and praife, and redound moft to the glory of our great deliverer. These fentiments ranndt be too earneftly inculcated, nor too deeply impreffed on ourfelves and others ; for few people ever had greater reafon to be thankful to Heaven than we have. Inftcad of lamenting our country defolated, our laws fubverted, our Religion overturned, with defpotifm and impiety ufurping their place, which is the cafe of many millions at this day— inftead of deploring an amiable Sovereign, fnatched away by treachery, or compelled to form ignominious and ruinous leagues with the blafphemers of God, and enemies of human happinefs, as is the ftate of others — inftead of weeping over our flaughtered friends and relatives, cut off by the ruthlefs hand of cruelty, which Is the haplefs lot of many thoufands : Inftead of thefe, I fay, the very reverfe in every particular, is, through the blefling of Providence, our h^ppy, our envied fitu- jtion, Juftly then may wc adopt the words of the^ Pfelmift ( M m ■ t- , ! i ( 12 ) PfalmJft— ** Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but " unto thy name be the glory, for thy mercy and thy " truth's fake — The Lord hath bc6n mindful of us — " Put your truft in him therefore ; he is our helper •* and defender— We will blefs the Lord from this " time forth for evermore."* And as the prefervation of our beloved Sovereign is one principal caufe, as well as fource of our gratitude to the Almighty ; and we are commanded by the oracles of unerring truth, " to fear God and honour the King :** Let us manifeft our obedience to that commandment, with refpecl to our Sovereign, by unfhaken loyalty to His facred j^erfon ; by every method that can evince our attachment and fubmiflion to His Government; by our fervent prayers for His prefervation, and that he may be long con- tinued a blefllng to His fubjeds. ' The return »f Peace— if Peace it may be called — fe- . cures >us from the hoftile attempts of France ; it were devoutly to be wilhed that we were equally fecure from the influence of her principles, which are much more dangerous. Thefe are calculated to tear ai'underthe bands of fociety, to unchain the worft palTions of man, and to let loofe the human race to prey upon each other. The French innovators, who afiumed to themfelves the title of Pbih/ophers and Reformers, had adopted a fyftem of boundkfs mifchief. The principles of this fyftem were atheifm, infidelity, and democracy, or the level- Ung of ail ranks in Society. Thefe principles, i'^ftead of affording any check or rcftraint, fcrved only to fti- If , - mulate • FfiJin iij. into us, but -rcy and thy dfu] of us-^ our helper i from this ^refervation ^ufe, as well y; and wc truth, « to lanifeft our pecT: to our ed perfon ; hment and ent prayers long con- called — fe, e ; it were xurefrom uch more under-the IS of man, ach other, ifelves the ^ a fyflem lisfyftem the levcL >, j'^ftead liy to iVu mulate ( '3) «^ tiiulatc the depraved appetites of man and held out a gratification to each. They naturally extinguifti benevolence, humanity, and all the mild, tendcrj and beil feelings of the human heart ; and plant l^rocious cupidity, unbounded ambition, and unrelenting cru- elty in thcir.place. r The authors of this flagitious fyflem were Pradlcal Reformers. With the moll indefatigable ipduflry and zeal they applied themfclves to the propagation of their principles for half a century. In that time they found means to poifon the minds of all ranks, efpeciaily thofe of the middle and lower orders of Society, in their own miierable country ; to fay nothing of tlieir efibrts and fuccefs to the fiime purpofe in foreign nations. When things were in this ftate, and a^fit occalion offered, they brought their fyflem to bear, and produced the French Revolution ; and that Revolution is the beft practical commentary that can pofiibly be given on their principles. The Religion profefl'ed and eflabliflicd in France, encumbered with fuperftitious ceremonies, and degra- ded with the idolatrous worfliip of Images, of Saints and of angels, was by no means calculated to oppofe tlie torrent of atheifm. The Bible was a prohibited book, and little known, to the Laity ; their prayers were put up in an unknown tongue, to meintion no more particulars of tliis kind. In thefe circumftances, we may eafily conceive that the portion of found, ChrilHan knowledge which could be acquired by the great mafs of the people, mull be very flender. No , -. ,_,-. - wonder )* ' ■ " .. ." V ' V ■ : -■ . ■• I 1] i! ' i: 14 ) Wdncier then that people in this ilate, fhould fall i, prey to the flimfy fophiftry of infidels. That fophif- try, which by a man who was well acquainted with Holy Scripture, would be confidered as an infult upon his underllanding, rather than a temptation to apo- ftacy, would be fwallowed by them^they could nei- ther unravel nor refift it. And here it may be proper to take notice of a very interefting point, which has a near relation to this fubjeft. Superftition and atheifm, however different or even oppofite, they may appear on a fuperficial view, yet, in fa6t, are clofely connected. So much fo, that they often become alternately caufc and effeft. Like other extremes, they frequently meet and produce the very fame confequences. Heftce it was that about the com- mencement of the Reformiition, in the fixteenth century, when the mercilefs Inquintion,^and the fvvord 6f Perfecution had cut off, or iilenced all who prefu- med to offer any objection to the errors of the Church of Rome ; Italy alone, the very feat of Papal Power and influence, produced more Atheifls, and men who were fufpefted of Atheifm, than perhaps all the reft of Europe.* When Religion, inflead of promoting moral rec- titude, internal holinefs, and a conformity to the laws of • See Re I MM AN Ni Hljlarta Untvers. j^theifmi et JItheornm. Std:, III. Cap. 4. Hildcfiae, 1725. 8vo. Brucklri Iftjloria Critka Phitofo' />/»/>, Vol. IV. Lib, II. Cap. 3.Lipfia;, 1744.410. Sec alio the authors referred toby them ; and to whom ir,any oiheis, were it ncceflary,niij;;ht he added. To the abo\c pr.ipolc, Mr. Ciiillingwortw, a very com- pt:tent jud^c, aflerts — " Experience juftifies, tliat whi^re and wlien Your Religion (Popery) IiHlh inoft abfoiutely commanded, there and tlicii Atheifm ii;tih molt abounded." Pfcface to Char, maintained^ No. 3. i :, fliould fall si That fophif- :quainted with an infultupoii >tation to apo- hcy could nei- otice of a very elation to this ^ever different ipcrficial view, :h fo, that they t. Like other duce the very 30ut the com- the fixteenth ind the fword II who prefu- )f the Church Papal Power nd men who all the reft o£ moral rec- ^ to the laws of itheornm. SetT:. Cr'itka Phitofu- alio the authors nccefTary, might ~u, a very com- and when Your tijcie and tlieii lined. No. 8. 6i God, evaporates in oftentatioiis ccteitionie^ jind fuperftitious forms of devotion — when great zeal is ftiewn for thcfe ceremonies, and they divert the at- tention of mankind from the real objeft of Chriftidni* . ty, which is to prepare us by holinefs here, for happi- nefs hereafter — when the Miniftcrs of Religion, inftead of a guarded, pious, and exemplary conduft, exhibit examples of diffolutenefs and abandoned profligacy— when every fin has its appropriate price ; and by pay- ing that price for an Indulgence, a perfon is affured of its pardon-^the precife ftate of Italy at that period : A man Wiio fees thefe things, who wifhes to fliake off the rpftraints of Religion which would check the gratification of his paffions, and who is willing to con- found Chriftianity with Superftition ; fuch a man — • and the world abounds with people of this caft — ^will eafily Aide into Atheifm. With the Foolin the Pfalmsi , he will be ready to fay in his heart, " there is no God." . On the other hand, when a man has plunged into the fink of Atheifm, and into flagrant crimes and vices to " which it ncceffarily leads ; and his confcience is after- wards awakened to a fenfe of his guilt ; the extreme anguifti and diflrefs which he feels, wiU lead him to take fanc'tuary in Superftition, as it opens, by a kind of commutation, the readieft door to pardon, and to a reconciliation with the offended Deity. Thus Athe- ifm and Superftition mutually generate each other. They are deviations alike from the light and teftimo- ny of nature and reafon j* and from the light and tefti- • Hence Lord Bacon's juft obfervation — " God never wrought mira- *• cits to convince (confute) Atheifm, bccAufc his 01 dinary woi!;i convince % m f!: i ( lO teftimony o( God's Revealed truth. And whiift they arc thus nearly allied in their origin ; they coin* cide in producing the fame effects on Society. J The number of Atheifts, whofe names are upon record, has been comparatively fmall ; and we cannot form a true eftimate of Atheifm and Infidelity, from the charafter of a few individuals who were, or are, thinly fcattered among the great mafs of the people. In a Chriftian country, efpecially, the poifon of their principles, whilft confined to a few,is counteracted, in a great degree,by the ruling laws, principles, and manner* of th^ Majority* But when the profeflbrs of Atheifm and Infidelity become numerous-^ — when they are able to feize the reign3ofGovernmcnt,dicl:atelaw8,and plan pub- Kc meafures, as lately in France ; a very diflferent fcenc is exhibited. Their principles then appear without any difguife„in all their native deformity and turpitude, and manifeil their deftruclive tendency. Thefc principles transformed a poliOied people into a fet of favage, un* feeling barbarians. By thefe the whole country was changed into one great flaughtcr-houfe. To thefc muA be attributed the indifcriminate maiTacre of men, : ; • , women, it." E^a^f on Atlie'ifm. Had this great man lived to fee the French Uc- lK)lution, lie would not hazard the lemark. in his Ejfay on SuperjUthm — ' •* ihiu Atheifflfi never did perturb States."-— The truth is, tliat Athcifts never were futliticntly nviinerous at any period before the prelcnt, 10 pertuib Spates— thcv iud it not in their power; for otherwilc their principles are necell'irily deftruotive to States, and fiibverfire of So- ciety and human happinefs. It his been tlie opinion of the lieft inform- ed and nr)lV judicious men. that a Ibciety o( real Aihrids could notluhlijl — S?o ■\%tVi\\Qi\ preachtj iK'jore the un'iverji.'y of Cimhrltl^y on C-jH' ntatcemrnl Siinc/iijf, 1798, lyTnotwfi Rennkll,D. I), which coni.iini fome excflk-nt Icntimcnts on Uic abjve I'ubjc 'l, and (.'.Hprdlcd wiili liia ftlaal ipirit and visour. tjfi^-i^ -w » i« Hf ■'^tstn ( '7 ) Womfcn, and children, by hundreds ?nd by thoufands ; with ail the plunder, brutal violence, and other enor- mities, which took place in that devoted country ; the bare recital of which chills our blood, and fills us with adoniihment and horror. Nor has Superftition been, in fad, lefs pernicious to the peace of Society, and happinefs of mankind. Com- plaints of the dreadful effeds produced by it, have been loud and frequent.* I need not go far for a proof that complaints of this kind were well founded. Within our memory a melancholy inftance has occur- red, which clearly evinces the truth of the pofition-— I refer to the laft rebellion in Ireland, in 1798 ; where cruelties as enormous as thofc of France, though on a more limited fcale, were deliberately perpetrated ; and this, for the avowed purpofe of extirpating He- retics If Superftition ftimulated its deluded votaries, m • See Plutarch's Treatife of SuperJlUton. Ileathcnifni was fprcad all over the earth ; and the Ritual of lleutlien wnrlhip was, for the great- er part, a mais of the K't)rtcll and moll dcteflablc Superlntion ; as the ancient Chriftian Apoloijifts, artiono; mmy others, h;ive iucontefhibly proved. I (hail give one mftanceof this liorrid Superftition. —The Car- thaginians were of PhfRnioian extraclion ; and worfhippcd Cluonus or Saturn (the Moloch of Scripture) with hunvm facriliccs. The Viiflinjs were Children, fcleded fr(>ni the nohlolt t.muiit.s ; but thele hiui becii withheld for fome years, and the Children of Slaves and of fnrtiivnc!;} were purchafed, and (ubflituted in their place. When the Cartha;j;iniai s wero reduced to great extremity in their Mar with Agathoclcs, the 1 v- *ra'it of Syracuffi in Sicily ; they imputed their nnsforurnfs to the difplea- lure of Saturn for defrauding him of his proper Vichms. To appeale their incenfed Deity, Vwo /iM/z^a'rdv/ Children of th.c ncbldl faniilits at Carthage were at once facrificedto Saturn ; and Thrre hundred perfons of high rank, voluntarily ofltrcd thcnif.iivk;s Viclims, that by their blood, they might render him propitii-us. Dtodorus SicuLUs. Lib. XX. f See Sir Richard Musgrave's Mtmolrs f>r' L-iJh Rtle/Iions. Print- ed at Dublin, 1801. 4^0. Sir Kichard has produced niunv unquciHon..b!« documents which provi," wii, It is here aiirr ted. It would be paiiilui la iraalcnbe them, or cli'c I ^uuld lay il;e.a be'' •• tlh. 'cadcr. 4: Ml! ( »8 )^ in the one cafe, to the fame horrid deeds, that athciim did in the other ; and had either been well inftruded in the Holy Scriptures, it is probable that they would have turned from thofe deeds with the fame abhor- rence that we do. For it would argue ftrong prejudice, or narrow- ncfs of mind, or ignorance of human nature, in any one that would afcribe thofe enormities, in either cafe, to any peculiar, or national malignity of charac- ter. Human nature is nearly the fame in every clime and aore fhice the Fall of Adam. Man, when arrived to maturity, is moftly the creature of education. Na- ture furnii'hcs his Powers ; education calls forth, cul- tivates, and directs thofe Powers. The human charac- ter is diverlified according to the moral and phyfical circumftanccs in which men are placed ; and to religi- ous and moral culture fliould be afcribed that differ- ence, which is fo llrongly marked, between the fero- cious favngc, and the enlightened, benevolent Chrif- tian ; who has God before him in all his ways ; and who ftriclly obferves the holy Redeemer's precept — " doing to all men, as he would that they fhould *'do unto him." . -» Wi III rcfpecl to the native Irifli, who were exclu- fively concerned in the late barbarities, and who pro- fcfs the religion of Rome, all who are well acquainted with their character, rnuft be fenfible that they are na- turally a companionate, friendly, hoi'pitable people ; remarkably iixcd and perfevcring in their attachments, whct'ier thofe attachments be well or ill diredted. V^^hea ( '9 ) When guided by the impulfc of tliclr natural feelings, they will fliare their lall morfcl with the hungry ; they will readily ri(k their lives to fuccour a perfon in dil- trefs : Yet under the malignant influence of fuperfliti- on, they will, without remorfe, plunge a dagger into the heart of that very perfon, if he fhould be what they call a Heretic I The caufc of this ftrangc inconfiftcncy is not phylical or. conftitutional ; but accidental and moral. Degraded by a blind attachment to the errors and fuperftitions of the Church of Rome, out of which they fuppofe there is no falvation j and by a like at* tachment to the Bifhop of Rome, whom they deem infaUible, a fort of God on earth : They think that they are ferving the caufe of God and his truth by thofe enormities. Exactly like Saul, before his conver- fion, who^ through a bigotted zeal for the Mofaic In- ftitutions, breathed threatenings and flaughtcr againft the innocent difciples of Chrift, perfccutcd them from city to city, and put them to death. I flrall only obferve farther on this head, that Fanati- cifm, when it is widely fpread, and has acquired power bynumbers; jull like fuperftition, leads to infidelity and athcifm, and is attended with tlic moil: ruinous eilccts to fociety. Many proofs of this might be adduced ; but I ihall only refer to one, which is furniflied bv our own nation. In the great rebellion of the fcventeenth century, when the Ciiurch and Conldtution of Eng- land were lubverted \ when an amial)le, exemplary Monarch was murdered, and a defpoiio ufurpcr ftep- ped into his place j Fanaticifm was one principal fpring , ' ( 20 ) of thcfe horrid proceedings — it was indeed the great engine that was employed by tlie ufurper and his partifans to accomplifli their dark purpofcs. Fanati- cifni, thus encouraged, fpread far and wide ; it raged witliout controul ; and matters came to fuch a ftate at laft, that in the fanatical army, there were almoft as manv Preachers and Exhorters, as there were Offi- cers and Soldiers. Religious fanaticifm produced the fame cfTefts, with refpert to Charles I. that atheiftical cnthuHafni did, with rcfpeft to Lewis XVI, and their rcfpedive kingdoms. The confequence of thefe difor- dcrs in England, was, that multitudes, particularly Republicans, who liiw the grofs hypocrify and crimes which were praclifed under the mafk of Religion, fell off to infidelity and atheifm.* I wifli it were in my power to fay that Religion — Chriftian piety and prac- tice — were even now entirely recovered from the wound which they received at that period. This brief detail may ferve to evince what danger arifes to fociety and human happinefs from infidelity, fuperflition and fanaticifm ; what grofs perverfions they are of rcafon ard divine Revelation ; and that it is not only the duty, but the trueft wifdom, as well as found- cll policy of every people and nation, to guard, with the moll vigilant attention, againft their approach. Pro- vidence has call our lot inaneriod.whercthcir baneful confccjuenccs have been fatally exemplified. Tlie experi- ence, the inu;ru<5lIon of ages, have been compreffedjas it were,intc>the{liortfpacethatibcmbr;icedbyourmemory. • "• So #c Ste the IntroJu^uon .'& Buaiit tt's H'lj".. of his own times. ( 21 ) So that wc have only to open our eyes and fee ; we need only liften to the report of recent, unqueltionablc facts to be convinced of our duty. We alfo learn another ufeful IcfTon — a leflbn indeed not unknown before, to perfons who were well informed — butalcllon which God, in his wifdom and jultice, permits to l)e often repeated for the inftrudion and chaftifcment qf mankind — namely, that popular commotions, kindled by defigning men, under the plaufible pretexts of great- er liberty, or redrefs of grievances ; when they burft the mounds of law, virtue and religion ; inllead of bettering, only aggravate, the condition of a people — their laft ftate is much worfe than the firft. They only prepare the way for fome fucccfsful ufurper to vault into the feat of power. After all her impieties, crimes and fuflerings, what has France gained ? — A tyrannical ufurper, of low ori- gin, for her mafter ; a ufurper who rules by his own arbitrary will, and exercifes a defpotifm more abfolute, galling and degrading than was ever exerci- fed by any of the French Kings. Under the Monar- chy, the yoke of the people might be heavy ; but he has made it tenfold heavier. Formerly the people might be chaftifed with whips j but he cliailifcs them with Scorpions.* The principles which occafioned the French Revo- lution, have produced a dreadful convulfion in the moral world. Thev undermine the foundation of all virtue and regular government, as well as that of rati- onal m * I Kings XII. (4. il 1 1 ( 22 ) onal liberty ; whilft they deftroy the only fources of inan*« confolation and happinel's here, and all hope and profped of felicity in a future ftate of exiftence. Such a fcourge, fuch a peft — for magnitude and ma- lignity — was never before let loofe by incenfed hca- ven to chaftifc a guilty world. There are few, if any, countries in Europe, or that have a connexion with Europe, which have not fevcrely felt its eifccls ; and which muft not look forward with dread for effc^ ftill more fatal. Even in ouriiation, where thofe horrid principles met the firmett rcfiilance, and were moft fuccefsfully oppofcd ; yet they found too many perfons that liftcn- cd to the emiflaries of ruin, who were employed in diflcminating them — too many abettors, who were defirous of reducing them to practice, after the exam- jilc of France. I'hrough the bleiling of God on the exertions of our beloved Sovereign — on the wifdom, vigilance and vigour of His Counfels, and on the lin^ paralleled bravery of His Fleets and Armies, their progrefs was checked j though not before the moft alarming danger had threatened us.* But thofe principles are ftill in exiftence, and too much theriihed. They are filently working, and fccretly infecting with their venom, all who will harbour them, and are not influenced by a due fenfe of duty to God, and to their fellow creatures. A recent tranfadion fully proves this, were further proof ne- cefiary — the atrocious conlpii acy againft His Majefty*s iacred * The Mutiny In ihq Navy is piirutu!.irly uUuJcdt^. ( 23 ) facred perfon if A tranfaclion which petrifies the mind with horror, and overwhelms it with aftonifli- ment. It (hews, among many other arguments, that the principles of France are more dangerous to us than her arms — than her fleets and numerous armies. Her fleets and armies have been often refifted and defeat- ed ; and if we do net refift and deftroy her princi- ples in our country, they will infallibly deftroy us. But in addrefling You, MyRevhrendBrethren, it is needlefs to enlarge on this fubjecl. I liavc been too long acquainted with You to harbour any doubt concerning the foundnefs ©f Your principles ; or of Your zeal in the caufe of God, of his truths, and the falvation of your refpe^live flocks. Or concerning your unfliaken I^oyalty to our moft amiable Sovereign, and attachment to our Civil Conftitution — a Confti- tution which is the admiration of mankind. No other fubje<5Ls on earth enjoy fuch liberty and privileges, with fuch fecurity of perfon and property. In what is farther to be added, I fliall confine myfclf to a few particulars which relate to the difcharge of your Clerical duty, and which I very earncflly recommend to your attention : Juft premiling, that as Religion is the only effeftual antidote againft the poifon of the Infidel and Levelling fyftem which now threatens the world ; fo, Religion, according to the principles of the Church of England, being the pure, unadulterated Gofpel of Chrifl:, is thcbeft prefervative againft Super- ilition on the one hand, and againft Fanaticifm on the other. i.. t Col. Dcfparcl's confpiracy. He, vith nine other confpirators, were executed on Monday, Febi-uary ax, i8oj. r^ '■'IiHl' m I i. The firft thing which I fliall recommend, is the diligent and regular Catechifing of Children, accord- ing to the Rubrics and Canons of our Church ; to the obfervance of which You have fubfcribcd. In the primitive Church, there was no duty to which more attention was paid, or that was more llriclly performed, than Catechifing. Wherever the Religion of Chrilt had taken root and flouriftied. Ca- techumens formed a numerous clafs or rank in the Church. They coniifled cither of the Children of believing Parents, who had been baptifed in Infancy ; or of Heathens, who wifhed to give in their names to Chrift, and to be admitted to the glorious privilegca of his Gofpel. Both were gradually inftruded in the truths and duties of Chriftianity j to prepare the former for Confirmation and the Lord's Supper, the latter forBaptifm.* Various Canons were made from time to time, to regulate the Difcipllne reipecling Catechu- mens ; and the laborious exertions of the Clergy in this hne. contribatcd greatly to confirm Believers in the liedfalT: prvifelTion of their holy faith, and to the converfion of Heathens, Our Reformers, as In other * Qiiidaiitem aliucl agit totumtempus quo C;ttecumenorum locum ct romeii tencnt, nifi ut au'iciin qus fides et qualis \ita debet.t tile ChriftU ai is ? Ut c\xmjc:/if:s prolaverint, tur.c de mirfa Vov.hn mantlucent , etdt Ciilue lilant, ^luu'tam qui wanducat ind'igiic judicium jilt mandvcat ti hi- lt,, QuoJauttm (it per omnc tempus qutd in f.ccldiH iuIuLiitcr coniH- tutiim eft ut itd non.en Cl-rifti acccdentes Catecun)eroiiini j^iadus ac- ciijiant : Hoc Ht ihuIuj diligentius et inftaniius his ditbus quibus Comjic- tciucs vocantur, ciini ad percipicndum Bapulhuiin fu i lu.inina jam dede- runt. AuGUUT. l)e Jide et operibus. Cap. VI. Opp, Tom. IV. Liig- duiii. 1664. Jul ConceiiiingCiaechumcrs in the piiriiitive Cliurch, ice Caw.'s priwil/ve Chrijihint.'y. Pait I. Chap. VJII. IjIngham's ciri/f. Miiq. Book X. aud Ciiidiii.ii Bona Be Reim LiUig. Lib. 1. Cap. XVI. other matters, Co in this, followed tlie example of the primitive Church ; which appears by the Catechifms that were fet forth, particularly that in our Prayer Book ; and alfo by the number of ftrict injunctions which were from time to time authoritatively given for Catechifing ;* to fay nothing of Rubrics and Ca- nons, to the fame purpofe. The duty of Catechifing was diligently performed ; anddoubtlefs this was a great means of diifufing Chriftian knowledge, and a fpirit of piety through the nation ; and of preferving the mem- bers of our excellent Church firm and unihaken U\ their principles. It enabled them to rcfifl: the violence of perfecution, and the fpecious fophifi:ry, which were often employed to fcduce them. Indeed the nature of the duty fufiiciently flicws its importance. For when rightly performed, it lays the foundation of found Chrifi:ian knowledge, and praftice. It would be as reafonable, as hopeful for a man to ex- pect that his field, without due culture, or good feed, would produce a luxuriant crop of good grain, as to expect that a mind, not inilru<51:ed in the principles of Chriftianity, fliould produce the fruits of Chriftian faith, piety and holinefs. Nay farther, you need not be at the trouble to fow your field with the feeds of thiftles, briars, and weeds, in order to rear thofe noxious plants. Only leave the field to itfelf ; and they will fpontaneoufly and certainly grow of them- fclvcs. And juft: fo, the human mind, if not duly in- ftruded * Thofe IiiJun(5lions may bcfcen in Bifliop Sparrow's CoIleB'ton of /irlic/ei, Jniunifions, See. 4to. Or m the Fourth Folume 0/ WJLKJHs'a CoucUla Magna Brit, et HiUr. Fol. (26) m m ! ; linl'J 1 1 ftru^led in the time of youth, will not fail to flioot up into grofs errors, imbibe dangerous prejudices, and cbntraft pernicious habits. The work of error, fin and vice is half completed. Such a mind i^ ignorant of its duty. It is furniflied with no guard againft the fedupy ^^'; ■'%,- • ( 31 ) happy errors which might endanger their happinefs. Few things are more diilrefling to a Chriftian who is animated with that benevolence which is taught in the Gofpel, and is deeply fenfible of the value of eternal falvation ; than to fee his Brethren wandering in the diirk maze of error, and purfuing fteps which would leftruclive to their own beft interells, or thofe of >ers. Yet fuch a Chriftian, however delirous he Tnay be to reftify thofe errors, will not " call down fire from heaven to confume" the perfons who hold them ; nor raife the feculararm againft them, to cut them off. lie is taught in the word of God, that fuch " a zeal would not be according to knowledge ;" and that our blefled Saviour's rebuke would be juftly applicable to thofe who are actuated by it — " Ye know "not what manner of ipirit ye are of. For the Son " of man is not come to dellroy men^s lives, but to " fave them*'* The well-informed, benevolent Chrif- tian will therefore take a very diilcrcnt courfe. He will aftec'tionatcly urge the truths of the Gofpel, and Ihew how inconfiftent the errors are with thofe truths. Whiltt firm in the caufc of his divine mafter, and in a pointed diflikc of the errors j he will manifeft no hatred to the perfons who are unfortunately entang- led by them. On the contrary; he will (hew that he is influenced by a finccre and brotherly defire to promote their welfare. i . .: > < -. In this manner Ihould we endeavcjr to check thofe principles, too prevalent amor j; us, which are hoftilc to ;/ V... iny; : i--'- i,.- * Luke IX s^y^i. •Xlfi**- ( 32 ) to religion, to virtue, and good government. In this manner, both publickly and privately, ftiould you anxioufly guard your refpe(51:ive Congregations againfl the wild, antinomian tenets, in particular, which greatly infeft the country. In almoll every fettled diftrici of this, and of the neighbouring Provi there are multitudes who labour under ftrong d ons. Befidcs an intire difregard of the Inftitutio a regular Miniftry — an Inftitutioh appointed by Clirift himfelf, continued by hir, Apoftles, and invariably ob- ferved in every period of his Church — befidcs an utter difregard of this, and of other Inftitutions of the Gofpel : Thefe deluded people perfuade themfclves — that bodily agitations and convulfions, are fure marks of Converfion, grace, and iigernal holinefs — that fuch as have once experienced thofe violent agitations can- not fall away, fo as to fail of (iilvation — that the body indeed may fin ; but the foul is pure, and contracts no ftain — that the inftitutcd means of Grace are of little confequence — that all Faith and Holinefs arc immedi- ately infufed by the Holy Ghoft now ; juft as tlie gift of tongues, or of prophecy, or of healing the fick, was at the firft preaching of the Gofpel — that we fhould therefore lie by, and wait the illapfes of the Spirit. I pafs over the bitter zeal and railing ao.iinft all deno- minations of Chriftians, by which thofe people are actuated, and which they deem to be characlers of true religion ; as* well as their belief and expc<5tation of ex- traordinary Revelations and Vifions to Individuals. To name fucli groG errors h to refute them. They 1 RW V ( 33 ) . are not new ; they arc only old Herefics revived ; they have frequently troubled the Church of Chrift, and have milled unlleady perfons, not rightly inftructed, - and of an enthufiaflic turn.* My time will not admit o^nlarging much on the fubject, and I truft it is not j^Kiry. I fliall therefore obierve briefly) that thofe ^^Vhold them, betray the mod pitiable ignorance of ^BRficonomy of Graap, of man's moral ftate, of thofc qualifications which are neceflary to prepare us for, and make us capable of, enjoying the happinefs of heaven ; and their tenets are fubverfivcof tJiat lioli- nefs, without which no man fliall fee the Lord.f We do not read in the Gofpel, or in any other part of the New Tcllament, of perfons who had bodily agitations, except^bemoniacs — thofe, out of whom evil Spirits were caft by our Saviour. Thefe, and thcfc only , were violently convulfedand torn — they wallowed foaming! J . Ev^ERYpirt of the oeconomy of Grace, has been {gradual ;uul progrcfiivc. The firfl: dawn of Redeem- ing mercy, conveyed to nmn immediately after his I'all, in the promife, that the feed of the woman fliould bruife the Serpent's heacl§ — was a fliint glim- mering light, adapted to the then flatc of things. That light, by fuhfcquent Revelations, became clearer and clearer, until the Sun of Righteoufnefs himfelf a- rofe with healing in his wings, and difpclled the gloom of fpiritual darknefs which enveloped the world. But C' even * The reader bv looking into Edwards's Canp-zttin, may fee how much the Antiiioniiiin, v.nh ivnny other pernicious, enois picvailed ainoprr the Scctiiiics in Lnulantl, duiiiig tl'.e Kchfilion of 1^40. ^ f licb, XII. 14. X Mark IX. li, 30, Luke iX. 39. J Gen. III. ij. W ] ( ■■ * :^, (34) : n (« cc « even during our bicfled Saviour's abode on thi« earth) theftupcndous plan ofman*sRedemption,was not fiiUy unfolded, in all its parts, to the Apoftles ; the reafon | •was, that they could not comprehend it— their know* ledge was ffradually communicated Hence, divine Mailer told them — " I have >et many 1 to fay unto you, but ye cannot b^jar them^ Howbeit, when He, the ^irit of truth, is he will guide You into all truth j* and we read iA the Ads of the Apoftles how this was verified. Nor hastheGofpel Difpenfation^ the MeiTiah's Kingdom yet attained that fplendor, tiiat extent, and influence on the human race, which we are taught daily to pray for — " Thy kingdom come ; thy will be done '* in earth, as it is in hSven." . When that happy kingdom has arrived, and arrive it certainly will, the awful voice heard by the beloved difciplc, may with truth proclaim — " Alleluia ;• for the Lord God om- *' nipotent reigneth.f The Jkingdoms of this world •* are become the kingdoms of our Lord, ahd of his ** Chrift ; and he lhalB*reign forever and ever.'*} Our ftate, with'refpccb Koth to body and mind, is progreifive. We advance from infancy to childliood, from childhood to youth, from youth to manhood. Alike progreflive are our advances in knowledge, in virtue, in the different powers of intelleft. We ad- vance from nature to Grace, from Grace to glory ; and it is probable that the happinefs and perfection of heaven will be progreflive to eternity. This life is preparatory * John XVI, la, 13. t Revel. XIX. 6. % Rerel. XI. 15. (35) . This life is preparatory to the next ; and therefore we arc tio^ placed in a ftate of probation, moral difcipline, and improvement. We are commanded, and arc ena- bled through divine aid, to proceed in moral and re- Ik^us improvement, by acts of faith and repentance, ^flBgnation and humility, of hollnefs and purity, of ^Hlty aifll warm love to God and man. Thofe SS, when often repei^d, form habits ; and thefe ha- bits, when confirmed, prepare the foul to afibciate with Angels and Archangels, with the fpirits of juft men made perfeft, and all the company of heaven. And without thefe habits, it could not enjoy, nor find happinefs in Heaven. According to this ou||moral, probationary and progrefllve ftate, we are enjoined — " to orow in " Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord a»d Savi- " our Jefus Chrift.*'* The parable of the Talents points out as clearly as Words can, both our duty to improve the Talents, whether of nature or Grace, committed to us, by a progreiTive advance in the Cliriftian life ; and alfQ -our Saviour's will and expeftation that we (liovild do fo. The Servant who did not improve his Talent, is pronounced ilothiul, and wicked, and unprotitable, and was call into outer darknefif.— The ('huix h of Clirill at large, as well as the faithful members who compofe it, are to come gradually" unto a pcrfecl: man, unto the meafuve of " the ftature of the fulncfs of Chriil."} ChriOi^ns are inftriided and admonifhed, that, leavin^j- the Hrfl elementary * II. Peter III. i8. f Matih. XXV. 14—30. X Eplies. IV. i > (36) r.i ♦ elementary "Principles of the doctrine of Chrlft, they *' {hould go on to perfcftion j" to higher attainments in knowledge and holinefs.* St. Peter, after menti- oning " the great and precious promifes of the Gof- " pel, by which we might become partakers ^the " Divine nature," that is, of the moral pcrfefti God ; exhorts Chriilians, that for the attainm< this high privilege and bleiliiM — "Theywould^ " all diligence to add to their faith virtue,*' or forti- tude to withftand perfecution and temptations ; " and " to virtue knowledge ; and to knowledge temper- (C ance ; and to temperance patience ; and to patience '* srodlincfs ; and to godlinefs brotherly kindnefs ; .T> " and to brotherly kindncfe charity."! By this feries of f'hriftian Graces, by incenant and fuccefsful conflidls V. ith the Three advcrfaries which we renounced at Bap- tifm, we are gradually to afcend to the heavenly Jerufa- lcni,and be thereby prepared to relifli the joys, the ex- tremes of that happy place; and the company of thofe purified fpirits, who arc to be our aflbciatcs through eternity. ** Ir is needlefs to adduce any more texts of facred writ, though enough are at hand, to tlie fame pur- pofe. I'hefe are fuflkient to fliew, how unfcriptural, how repugnant to the ceconomy of Grace, the notion is of fudden, inftantar.eous converfion ; as if that, like a charm woul i fuilice to fccure heaven ; or that bodily a- gitationsfor a few minutes, which are mere animal, me- chanical operations, iliould be any marks of Grace, or of holinefs. Ilcb. VI. I. t II. Peter I. 4-7. (37) holinefs. Nor can the pernicious tendency of that wiM, antinonii;in delufion have efc;\petl your notice — that after converfion has been ufhercd in by thofc convul- five agitations, the Soul can fin no more ! The pre- fent age is fertile, beyond example, in dangerous, per-, nicimis principles ; but fcarcely any have been ad- ]|MBd — even in the French Code of Jacobinifm — or 19 4^e German Code of Illuminifm — more fubver- live, than this is, of fifUnd religion, vital piety, and moral rectitude. I fhall not ftay to point out this minutely ; ?.nd fliall only exhort you, to ufe every endeavour to guard your refpeftive Congregations againft the in- fe<^ion of thefe dreadful delufions. And as for thofe who unfortunately labour u|^der them,look upon them with Chriftian compailion. Whenever a proper occa- fion offers, let not your beft oflices be wantinj^, in a brotherly, affedionato manner, to flievv them the dan- ger of their errors; and how repugnant they are to the Gofpel of Chrift — rto the whole fcheme of Man's redemption. If, through the blefling of God on your endeavours, you fliould fucceed, you will then have gained your Brother , and In the language of St. James — " You will convert a fmner from the error of " his way, andfavea Soul from death."* If he fliould continue hardened and inflexible ; yet ceafe not to pity and pray for him. You will Ivavc the unfpeak- able fatisfa£tion to rcfled that you are clear of his blood — that you have done your duty in the fight of God. 3* * James Y- jo. f (38) 3- The negled of the Sacrament of the Lord's Sup- per, which is fo prevalent, is a melancholy proof of the decay of Chriftian piety among us. And when it is confidered that this is the moft folemn, beneficial ordi^ nance of our religion — that it was Inftituted when our bleffed Saviour was juft going to fuft'er death upon the Crofs for the expiation of our Sins — that it was 4y|| a perpetual memorial of his Pailion — and an effeqiS^ means of conveying to us the fpritual benefits of his agony and death ; To fee this facred ordinance fo neg- le<5i;ed, mufl fill every pious, relieving mind with afto- rifliment and grief. I fhall not enlarge on the e:^prefs command to dd this, to receive this Sacrament in remembrance of our Lord and Mailer; nor on the prance of Primitive Chriflians, whole bofoms glowed with fervent gratitude and love to their Redeemer, and who, in many places, received the Sacrament every day ; but it was univerfally re- ceived, for many Centuries, every Sunday.* Thofe devout Chriftians deemed it the greatefl misfortune, if by any accident they were prevented, or by mifcondud: were excluded, from coming to their Mailer's Table. Our Church requires, " that every Pariihioner fliall " Communicate at the lead three times in the year, of " which Eiifter to be one,"t Put few are regular in communicating fo often ; whilft great numbers turn their backs on the Lord's Table, and never communi- catc at all. And the longer thofe people flay away, whatever * BivciUM's C^/77?w»y^/;//(7t;//Vj,BookXV. Chap. 9. t Rubric luhjoi Kil to the Ccmiijuniun office Lord's Sup* proof of the when it is reficial ordi^ d when oui: th upon^the t was an effei! lefits of his ance fo neg- d with afto- on iiie fe^m nd to dd ibis, four Lord eChriftians, de and love :es, received verfally re- y.* Thofe isfortunc, if mifconduft ler*s Table, lioner ihall the year, of regular in mbcrs turn ' com muni- flay away, whatever :■'':' ( 39 ) : whatever their pretexts may be, they will be more Iih difpofed, andlefs fit, to approacJi that holy Table. You are pundual in adminiftring this Sacrament at the three Feftivals of Chriftmas,Eafter and Whitfunday ; 19 fome Churches it is adminiftered oftener. But the general practice of our Church in the Parent State, is to hav^ monthly Communions ; and it will be advifeable jWis to follow the example. With the blefling of God^ it may ferve to awaken people to a fenfe of their duty, and raife the tone of piety and good morals. Let the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper be therefore admini-. ftered hereafter, once a month, in your refpe<^ive Churches ; and befides reading one of the Exhortations in the Communion Service, as the Rubric directs, on the preceding Sunday, it will btf highly expedient, for fome time at leaft, to preadi a Sermon concerning the Sacrament, on the fame day. Hereby the fubjecl will be oftener brought to view, be better underftood by your Congregations, and their duty to receive the Sacrament will be more ftrongly imprefled upon their minds. 4. The laft particular which I (hall mention at this time, relates to Pfalmody. Since the days of David, the fweet Pfalmift of Ifrael, Church Mufic has been a part of divine worfhip, both under the Jewilh and Chriftian difpenfations ; it was employed to celebrate the praifes of the Almighty. When rightly performed, it contiibutes much to infpire devotion, to elevate the mind, warm its affections, and direft them to the great j^ndexclufive object; of adoration — the one, eternal, anti fupreuie { i' (4o) P fuprcme God-^the Trinity in Unity. Hence, St. Pau^ exhorts the Coloffians— " Let the word of Chriil dwell " in you richly in all vvifdom ; te.iching and admonifh- ** ing one another in Pfalms, and Hymns, and fpiritual " Songs ; finging with grace in your hearts to th^ ♦' Lord."* And we find that the infpired author of the book of Revelation, employs Mufic, both vocal a|||| inftrumental, as the fitteft emblem to reprefent the rap- turous joy, the glowing love, the harmony and happi- nefs of Heaven : as well as the triumphs of the Lamb, our holy Redeemer, and the celebration of his praifes in the feats of Blifs.f It is needlcfs to tell you that this part of Religious worlhip is in a very defective, imperfect ftate among us. You are fenfible of it, and wilh the dcfed to be removed. And it is with great pleafure I can inform you, that this may be done, if you will only ufe fome exertion for the purpofe. In various parts of this Di- ocefs, there are perfonsfufficiently (killed to teach thofe who are willing to learn, the firft elementary principles of Pfalmody. Endeavour to procure one of thefe in each Congregation ; and to pcrfuade your Pariflion- cis to employ them, which may be done at a moderate expence ; and even thatexpencc willonly be temporary, and not permanent. When you have fucceeded fo far ; your next ficp fhould be to procure a due atten- dance on the finging Pvlaflcr. This will require both addrefs and exertion ; for however pleafed or defirous People may be to hear what they call dod Singing, yet many * Colols. III. i6. t Rer. V. 8, 9— XIV. 2, 3. ( 41 ) . ' many do not like the trouble of learning to fing well. You muft endeavour to furmount this difficulty, and to engage all, of both Sexes, young and old, who have good voices, to gain fuch inftruclion as fhall enable them to employ thofe voices in the praifes of their God and Redeemer. If you will fhew yourfelves to be in carneft, perfevere in your purpofe, and urge thofe ar- guments which the ftibjed naturally fupplies ; there is no doubt of your fucceeding. And the benefits arifing from thatfuccefs — theinercafe of devotion, the fatif- faftion to yourParifliioners, and the additional induce- • ment, hereby afforded, to attend the worfhip of God according to our moft excellent Liturgy j will amply recompencc all your trouble. It may be proper to add, that, at the prefent time, great attention is paid to the Improvement of Pfalmody by the Members of our Church in England ; and that feveral excellent Publi- cations have lately appeared there, which will much affift thofe who are difpofed to promote, or engage in this laudable defign.* Finally, My Reverend Brethren ; permit me once more to admonifh You, that our exertions, as Minifters ll^ •I refer particularly to Dr. Edward Miller's book of Pfalmody for the ufe of Parilh Churches. Infcribed to his Grace the Lord Arch- bilhop ot York, 1790 and to the Reverend andvety worthy Mr. Tat- tf.rsall's Impruved P/hlmoffy. Dedicated witd pemiiiTion to the King, 1794. The merit ot thefc publications, if eftimated by the digni- fied rank and number of the Subicribers, mull be great indeed. All lovers ofS;icred Mufic are much indebted to Mr. Tattersall for pro- curing, among other things, agreat number of new excellent Tunes, by the muft celebrated Conipofcts of the laie and prefent times, fitted to tl»c rfalms. Among the Compolcrs are the well known names ofCooki Arnold, Haycs^ Haydn, D.upuis,P4rfons,Ci)Jlcott) Shield, 5cc. (40 Minifters and Ambafladors of Chrift, ihould be pro. portioned to the exigency of the times. Whether we look abroad, and view the wide difFulion of thofe korrid principles which have carried defolation and mifery into fo many parts of the world ; and unlefe refifted in time, and eradicated, will certainly pro- duce the fame effefts among us — whether we advert to the existing ftate of things at home — to the deplo- rable luke-warmne(s and indifference about Salvation^ which are fo prevalent — to the multiplied crimes dai- ly committed, and the numerous vices that abound •—OT to the dangerous errors in which multitudes are entangled-HOr to the fpirit of enthufiafm, bigotry, and fuperftidon by which fo many are adtuated : When all thefe things are duly coniidered, it may be averred that there has not been a period in thefe lat- ter ages, which called more loudly for vigilanoe, a diligent difcharge of all their paftoral duties, and for a corre£V, exemplary condudt, in the Clergy, than the prefcnt. A dark and threatening cloud feems to hang over Chriflendom at this moment. Whether that cloud is charged with thofe judgments or laft plagues, fymbol- lically reprefented by the " feven golden vials, filled with the wrath of God ;" and which are to be poured by the commiifioned Angels on the earth ;* and if fo, when or where they are to begin, or whether they have not already commenced ; are matters known on- ly to God. That fuch fignal judgmentJi or plagues will vifit this earth and its inhabitants in the latter days, and * Revd XV. XVI. See tlic Appendix. No i. (C C( I ( 43 ) (ind be among the preludes to a glorious ftate oftha Meffiah's kingdom, we learn from the fure word o£ Prophecy ; and the Almighty cannot want means for accompliihing his purpofes* However awful or ftrange any future a religious ot by any which in tlie Rank in {o un- )inion, fo t without e Publica- tion, lion, Sir John WcrttwOrth herewith returns it, and With much regret that any fuch (hould have been pub« lifhed, and more fo, that it fiioiild have been fubmit« ted for his perufal. Government-House^ iithFeburary, 1804. The ATTORNEY.GENERAL*s Answer. Halisax^ 1 6th February ^ 1804. SIR, I have received your Compliments, with a Letter, addreiTed by order of the Biihop of Quebec, to the Catholic MiiUonaries of Nova-Scotia, and publiihed by you as Vicar^General, with a Poftfcript annexed thereto. Taking it for granted, that this Publication has been fent to me fbr my opinion, I fhall not heiitate in can- didly flating it : expreding at the fame time, my dn* cere regret, that I had not feen this work, before it was fent to the preis ; as I think I ihould have been able to prevail on you, to have altered both the (lyle and manner of it. in ofiering to you my fentiments on this occafion, I feel no apprehebiion that my fellow fubjefts, who pro- fels the Religion of the Church of Rome, in this Pro- vince, will coniider me in the leaft inclined to intole- rance. I have, on every occadon aiForded them fub- ftantial proof how fincerely I felt interefted in remo- ving every impediment, which prevented them from D freely ' I I Ipl .(50) freely worfliipping the Almighty, In the way which tfceir reafon didated, as moft acceptable to a Perfect, and Infinite Being. Toleration, in this refpcft, has^r^ftj^^cr myfelf, been cffcc1:ed to the filll extent of their wifhes j as the peo- ple of that pcrlliafion, arc now at liberty to erect pla- ces of public worlhip j aUb to choofe a pcrfon, fuch us they approve of to olficiate at their miniilcr j like- wife to enter into agreements and flipulations with their Miniflcrs, with the terms of which the Law will enforce a compliance, according to the true intent and meaning of the parties thereto. To enable you thoroughly to underiland my ideas of the indulgencies granted to the Roman Catholics in this Province, I think it unnecclTary to refer you to any other book, than the Statute Law of the Land, in which youwill fee, that by the 2d and 5thAcVsofthe General lilfemblv, which met in this Province in the 32d year of His late Majefty*s reign, the Roman Ca- tJiolic Religion -was totally prohibited, and thofe pro- lefilng it, difabled from holding Lands, except by Grant from the Crown. Many of thofe perfons arc yet living, who can re- member the caufcs of this very fevcre prohibition ; ])ut rime having blunted mens* feelings on this fub- jecir, the General Aflembly with a wifh to bury the whole in oblivion, palfed the Acts of 23d. Geo. 3d. Gap. 9th, and 26th Geo. 3d. Cap. ift. which having re- (^eived His MAJcity*i) afVent, the prohibitions contained \n the two former Ads, were upon certain conditions 5tnd ftipuhitions, repealed and modified : And or . thcff i,.(.:\ :. , : , , . -■- '.■.:.■■■ . ■ thei thoU opii writ ly which , Perfect, rfelf, been 1 the pco- erecl pla- fon, fuch tcr J like- ons with Law will ic intent my ideas Catholics Per you to he Land, fVcVsotthe ice in the :)man Ca- lofe pro- xcept by lo can re- libition ; tnis fub- 3ury the 3d. Gap. aving re- ontaincd )nditions And on theff . . (51 ) .... thefc two Statutes the privileges of the Roman Ca- tholics in this Province folely depend. . Therefore it is unneceffary to have recourfe to the opinions of Sir William Blackftone, or any other writer on the fubjeft. The Statutes to which! refer you, are fo plainly worded, that whoever reads them cannot fail to comprehend their full meaning. Per- mit me to add for your information, that at the time this relaxation took place, I was a Member of the General Affembly, and draughted both the Laws to which I have referred you : And be aflured that when thefe Acts were pafled, no man had an idea that they were to pave the Way to eftablifli the Hie- rarchy of the Church of Rome in this Province ; or that a Roman Catholic Bifhop of Quebec would be thereby authorifed to aflume the exercife of my Ec- clcfiailical Authority in this country, either by him., felf, his Vicar General, or MiiTionaries. It is my duty to tell you, thai there are no fuch authorities recognifed by the Law of this Province. Whoever ofEciates a,s a Minifter of the Church of Rome, depends entirely on his Congregation. He is not their Minifter until they choofe him, and he ccafes to be their Minifter when they difapprove of him unlefs the exi ling agreement between the parties has otherwife provided. What the fpiritual rights of theMinifters of the Church of Rome are, may very properly be the fubjec?!: of in- veftigation in the countries where that Church is eftab- lilhedintho plenitude of its power. — But we have no- thing to do with thofc things, in this Province : There k —^ :**#« *:, (50 !s already anEftabliflicd Church in the Colony, and that Eftabliflimcnt v^as one of the firft Ad& of its Govern- ment. And I moft truly flJ^tte^ myfdf )nth the hope, that the people profefling the religion of the Church of Rome in this Country, have no reafon to complain, as they are made the fole judges of the fpiritual qua- lifications of the Minifter they choofe, who cannot be put upon them againft their will. At the fame time permit me to obferve, that the Conftitution of the Government, under which we all live happy and free, and for the fupport and defence of which, whatever our modes of feith or forms of worfhip may be, we are all pledged, in the moil fa- cred manner j ;his Conftitution recognifes His Majef- ty as the Supreme Head of the Church on Earth ; fo 'far as refpedl? the United Empire of Great-Britain and Ireland and all the dominions thereunto belong- ing. — Therefore I pray you to let us hear no more of Bilhops, Vicars General, or Miffionaries in this Province, unlefs they are efpecially appointed by the King for th^t purpofe. I have written thus plainly tQ you, in the hope that you will not think it ncceflary to publifh any thing further on the fubje<^ : Too much has been faid al- ready, and, I fear, much offence given. If any cx- prcflions were ufed, by the very r^fpeclable man, whom His Majefty has been gracioufly pleafed to j)lace at the Head of the Church in this Province, which you conceived prgudicial to the Religion you profcfs; would it not have been much more decorous to have exp-reiTed to him your feelings privately, than thus :53) ly, and that its Govern-, h the hope, I Church of > complain, iritualqua- vho cannot 7t, that the ^hich we all md defence DT forms of he mufl fa- 5 His Majef- Earth ; fo reat-Britain nto belong- ar no more :ies in this ited by the c hope that any thing en laid al- any cx- able man, pleafcd to Province, ligion you e decorous itely, than thus thus to have brought the fubjed): before the public, finde the ipTeftigation of it can do no good, but on die contrary has a fnanifeft tendency to produce bad effeas? You "wtUI excufe wp, when I obferve that you h^ve not, in my opinion, treated theBiihop of Nova Scotia Jn your publication, with that Recency and refped, which, ^cording to the polition you lay down in the fiime\^ork, are juftly due to all authorities^ lawfully conilituted. The High Office he holds under His Majefty (^for whofe civil and religious character you profefs great refpecl,) would in nay hutnble opinion, have been fufEcient to have protefted him from the fentiments contained in jour Poftfcript, being pub- lifhed to the world. Be affured the animoiities be- tween Proteftants and Roman Catholics have exifted too long for the peace of Society, and we ought to endeavour to view with the eye of Charity, thofe who are as yet unable to ^^cradicate from their minds, the apprehenfions and painful fei^fations which fo naturally arife, when one 'contemplates the bloody fcenes fo numcroufly exhibited in the pages of our Hiftory. To point out the errors of either Church, and to caution others from adopting them, is a duty which every Minifter of the Gofpel is at times called upon to perform. But I cannot approve of fuch a proceeding, when accon[ipanied with pailion, or perfonal reflecti- ons of any kind, more efpecially in times like the prefent, when every pcrfon, who confiders himfelf a Chriftian, is called upon by motives the moft power- ful, to. \ji)ite witl^ ajil of th^ fame perfuafion, let their form . — vn> nar-' v-#' (54) ' ^V., .«,«../ form of worihip be what it may ; and by his example, accompanied with the moft flrenuous exertions, to put down Athciftn, Infidelity, Superflition and Idola* try, to which may be .traced all the evils, that for fome time paft, have defolated Europe, and ihaken dvil^nd religious Society to its foundation. In juftice to the Bifhop of Nova-Scotia, I muft fay, that in my opinion, he has not manifeiled a fpirit of intolerance to the Roman Catholics of this Province, and his contribution to ered the building in which you nowoJfigiate, will afford a ftrong proof in fup.. port of what I affert. Having interefted myfelf as much as I have on all occafions, to obtain for the Roman Catholics every indulgence neceflary t« enable them freely to worfliip God in their own way ; and to obtain for them per* fed fecurity, both for their pcrfons and property, I cannot help feeling moft fenfibly, every kind of pro- ceeding that has a tendency to prevent the good effefts of fuch a fyftem ; in the perfcdion of which I had good hopes no impediment would be thrown in the way, or any juft caufe given to His Majcfty's I*roteftant Subjefts, to view the warmth and zeal of the Miniflcrs of the Church of Rome with a jealous eye. Let me then recommend moderation, temper and prudence to you on this head ; and whiill you obey the law, and preferve the good opinion of your own congregation, without giving offence to thole of other religious perfuafions, I think I may fafely aft fure you, that you may rely on the fame liberality, fupport fupp( w'ast expe I ratio indifl inter meafi timet you) ?iXnrc ^* i example, rtions, to nd Idola« . that for dihaken muft fay, fpirit of Province,, in which xf in fup.« ve on all ics every worfliip lem per* )perty, I [ of pro- he good which I thrown dajefty's zeal of ijealous temper illl you of your hole of fely a^; erality, fupport (ss) fupport and proteftion, which your prcdeccflbr, who vKas th6 founder of the eftablifliment you tioiw cnjpyj experienced. . ' ' '.•/"■ ''■!"•'/. I kave taken too great a part in effecting the tole^' ration of the Roman Catholics in this Province to be^ indifferent on that fubje^t : And I feel very fincerely - interefted, that all the good eflfe^s expefted from thit meafure, may be realized. I write therefore my fthi- timents thus freely to you, from an apjJrehenfion that your zeal to ferve that caufe^ ifiay injure it. Be pifured that if the fubjecl: of tolerating that religion >v: ii,iw under cbnfideration, your publication, fo t v^ jm pronrtoting the objeiftj would to a certainty put a flop to it. I cannot conclude without obferving, that 1 have read with the utmoft aftoniflimenti that part of your work which brings Sir Richard Mufgrave*s name, be- fore the public in this Province. I cannot fee with indifference the attack you have made on him, to whom, from your expreflions, I muft believe you are a total ft ranger. I have the honor to number him amongft my particular friends. I have known him from his earlieft days to the prefent time. He was my fchoolfellow ; and I know not a more honoura- ble, upright and honeft man. Be affured he docs not merit the expreflions you have applied to him. His characler ftands too well eftablifhed, to need any lupport from me, or to be in the leaft danger of fuftcring, from the obfervations you have thopght proper to make on it. I beg leave to return your publication ' with my compliments. . i i : r < i rr It 'if j^ttibliments. Ifltouldapprovoofitj! would witli {>leamre retain it ; but I cannot bring myfelf to think that it can ferve any ufeful purpofe ; ^and I have with iincere good wiihes to fer%'e the inter'efts of the peo« t>ley whofe caufe you undertake to vindicate, candidly givep to you my reafont, why 1 cannot approve, c^ y0iur letter. ^ Sir, Tour very obedient humble Servant, RICHARD JOHN UNIACKE4 .. . .» • J S .:l 1 TathcR^d^ Mr. Bourke« Hali£iZ4 > i ^ J lil K K R A T A^ Pagf 9» ^«* «» front the ioUom of the Note, for where} rW were, i6> Utfrom the top, for reigns, reai reifli. AU iS.yir your, rW you. 4r» StftrviQX^fread^Otid, V' I I; rould with ;lf to think [ have with >f the pea* B, candidly approve c^ nt vant, IACKE4 nadyfeKt