7 ' 
 
 4) 
 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 >^/>^ 
 
 ^^^ <^W 
 
 {< 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 « 
 
 ♦ 
 
 1.0 
 
 1.1 
 
 2.5 
 
 itt lU 
 
 £ |i° 12.0 
 
 11^ l!A 
 
 |^|M_il.6 
 
 I 
 
 "" ig^ 
 
 HiolQgFaphic 
 _Sciaices 
 CorpCHHtion 
 
 ■1>^ 
 
 ;\ 
 
 
 
 O^ 
 
 23 WBT MAM STRHT 
 
 WnSTM,N.Y. I4SM 
 (71«)t7a^903 
 
 
 '^ 
 

 
 i/ 
 
 / 
 
 ,1? 
 
 CIHM 
 Microfiche 
 Series ' 
 (l\/lono^raphs) 
 
 / 
 
 ,#■ 
 
 *-*^. 
 
 '^1' 
 
 ICIMH 
 
 Collection de 
 microfiches 
 (monbgraphles) 
 
 Canadian Institute for Hiatorical IVIicroreproductions / Institut Canadian da microraproductions historiquas 
 
 iV 
 
Technical aiwT Bibliographic Notn / Notas tachniquas et bibliographiquas 
 
 The Institute has attempted to obtain the bast original 
 copy available for filming. Features of this copy which 
 may be bibliographicaliy uniqua, which may altar any 
 ' of the images in tfie reproduction, or which may- ■ - 
 significantly change the usual method of filming, are 
 checked below. 
 
 Coloured covers/ 
 Couverture da couleur 
 
 n 
 
 I I Cbvers damaged/ 
 
 n 
 
 Couverture andommagte 
 
 Covers restoretl and/or laminated/ 
 Couverture restaurte et/oiTpelliculie 
 
 □ Cover title missing/ 
 Le 
 
 n 
 
 titre de couverture manque 
 
 Coloured maps/ 
 
 Caites gtegraphiques en couleur 
 
 □ Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or Mack)/ 
 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 D 
 
 □ Boun 
 Relie 
 
 Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 
 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur 
 
 D 
 
 n 
 
 Bound with other material/ • 
 
 avec d'autres documents 
 
 Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion 
 along interior margin/ 
 
 La reliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la 
 distorsion le long de la marge interieurle 
 
 r 
 
 Blank leaves added during restoration may appear 
 within the text. Whenever possible, these have 
 been omitted from filming/ 
 II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties 
 lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, 
 mais. lorsque cela etait possible, ces pages n'ont 
 pas ete filmees. 
 
 Additional comments:/ 
 Commentaires supplementaires: 
 
 % 
 
 L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il 
 lui a M possible de sa procurer. Les details de cet 
 exemplaire qui soiif ptiit4tre. uniques du point de vue 
 , bibliographique, qui pevvant modifier una image 
 raproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger una modif ication. 
 dans la mithode normale de f ilmage sont indiqu^ 
 ci-dessous. 
 
 □ Coloured pages/ 
 Pages de couleur 
 
 □ Pages damaged/ 
 Pages endommagias 
 
 □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ 
 Pages restauries et/ou pallicultes 
 
 Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ 
 Pages ( 
 
 Pages dicolories, tachetto ou piquees 
 
 □ Page/ detached/ 
 Pagei detaches 
 
 EShowthrough/ 
 Transparence 
 
 Quality of print varies/ 
 Qualite in^le de I'impression 
 
 □ Continuous pagination/ 
 Pagmation continue 
 
 □ Includes index(es)/ 
 Comprend un (des) index 
 
 Title on header taken from:/ 
 Le titre de l'en-t«te provient: 
 
 < 
 t 
 t 
 
 9 
 
 
 fi 
 
 s 
 a 
 
 T 
 sl 
 
 n 
 
 M 
 di 
 •r 
 b« 
 
 ri( 
 r* 
 mi 
 
 ■i^ 
 
 □ Title page of issue 
 Page de titre de la 
 
 I j Caption of issue/ 
 
 livraison 
 
 Titre de depart de la livraison 
 
 Masthead/ 
 
 Generique (periodiques) de la livraison 
 
 I j Masthead/ 
 
 This Item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ 
 
 Ce documentej^liline au taux de rMuction indiqui cinlessous. 
 
 TUT 
 
 26X 
 
 30X 
 
 12X 
 
 16X 
 
 20X 
 
 24 X 
 
 28 X 
 
 22X 
 
/ 
 
 u'il 
 cet 
 
 de vue 
 e 
 tion. 
 
 \ 
 
 ^ 
 
 Th« copy filmed hart has b««n raproducadthanks 
 to tha ganaroaity of: 
 
 Tha Nova Scotia 
 Lagiilative Library 
 
 Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tha boat quality 
 poaaibla conaidaring tha condition and lagibiiity • 
 of tha original copy and in Icaaping with tha 
 filming contract spacificationa. 
 
 Original eopiaa In printad papar covars Bf filmad 
 baginning with tha front covar and anding on 
 tha laat paga with a printad or illuatratod Impraa- 
 sion. or tha back cdvar whan appropriata. All 
 othar original eopiaa ara filmad baginning on tha 
 first paga with a printad or illustratad impraa- 
 sion. and anding on tha laat paga with a printad 
 or lliuatratad impraaaion. 
 
 Tha laat racordod frama on aach microficha 
 shall contain tha symbol — ^ (moaning "CON- 
 TINUED"), or tha symbol V (maaning "END") 
 whichavar appliaa. 
 
 Mapa. plataa. charts, ate., may ba filmad at 
 diff arant raduction ratioa. Thoaa too larga to ba 
 antiraly includad in ona axpoaura ara filmad 
 baginning In tha uppar laft hand comar. laft to 
 right and top to bottom, aa many framaa aa 
 raquirad. Tha following diagrama iiluatrata tha 
 mathod: 
 
 L'sxampiaira filmi fut raproduit grica i la 
 ginirositi'da: « ' 
 
 The Nova Scotia 
 Legislative Library 
 
 Laa imagaa suivantaa ont «t« raprpduitaa avac »a 
 piua grand soin. compta tanu da la condition at 
 da la nattati da I'axampiaira film*, at an 
 conformity avac laa conditiona du contrat da 
 filmaga. 
 
 L^a axamplairaa originaux dont la couvartura en 
 papiar aat imprimis sont filmte an. commancant 
 por la pramiar plat at an tarminant soit par la 
 damiAra paga qui comporta una amprainta 
 d'Imprasaion ou d'iliuatradon. soit par la sacond 
 plat, salon la eaa. Toua laa autraa axamplairaa 
 originaux sont filmte an commandant par la 
 pramiAra paga qui comporta una amprainta 
 dlmpraaaion ou d'llluatration at an tarminant par 
 la damlAra paga qui comporta una taila 
 amprainta. 
 
 Un daa symbolaa suivants apparaitra sur la 
 damlAro imago da chaqua microficha. salon la 
 caa: la symbola — » signifia "% SUIVRE" la 
 symbol* V signifia "FIN", 
 
 r 
 
 Laa cartaa. planchaa. tiblaaux. ate. pauvant dtra 
 nimte A daa taux da rMuction diff«rants. 
 Lorsqua I* documant aat trop grand pour «tra 
 raproduit an un saul cUch*. il aat film* * partir 
 da I'angla sup4riaur gaucha. da gaucha 4<droita. 
 ot da haut mn baa. an pranant la nombra 
 d'Imagaa n*caaaaira. Laa diagrammaa suivants 
 liluatrant la m*thoda. 
 
 D 
 
 32 X 
 
 *.l!-» 
 
 t: 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 J 
 
^' 
 
 :^ 
 
 y^;- 
 
 A 
 
 m 
 
 ^ 
 
 t ; 
 
 1 J 
 
 WISSIC 
 
 re 
 
 
 Mi^ 
 
 
••v;^-;^; 
 
 «i^'. 
 
 '■■ te 
 
 ■01 
 
 r 
 
 CANDID DISCUSSION 
 
 H^ri^, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 PRINCiPAI, TENETS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ROMAN FAITH. 
 
 w 
 
 ^y THE REVEREND ROBERf A0R^^J7~'~' 
 
 -Sl0..KV.K0MTH.X.C0UP0H.T/o's0Cn:. 
 rOU T.E PKOP.O.TION OK TH. COSP./ 
 IN FOUEIGX PARTS. 
 
 TV 
 
 %^^*^?^ ^f S«^ AUXl ^ 
 
 £1) 
 
 a&iiJ 
 

 X'Al^ 
 
 R 
 
 
 •:''&.iim'-i-„t- '. 
 
"W 
 
 CANDID DISCUSSION, &c. 
 
 II 
 
 ELIGION is the great ornament of human na- 
 ture; it cloatheth man in dignity; it crowneth him with 
 glory and honour; and is the source of the purest joy 
 and happiness. 1'lie human state would indeed be 
 deplorable and disconsolate, did Religion not attend 
 man in all his steps to whisper consoling truths to his 
 lieart, and to cheer him with the prospect of regions of 
 bliss, that are beyond the grave. Without Religion, / 
 man would be of all creatures the most miserable ; his 
 condition the most wretched and forlorn. He ariseth 
 on the Earth with large and noble faculties; he beholds | 
 with admiration the stupendous works of nature; and 
 feels that there must be some immense wisdom, tb^t 
 contrived the magnificent system and that preserves it 
 in h^nnony. But when he looks to himself, as he is now 
 situated, he is seized with astonishment and knows not . 
 what account to give of his condition. He finds him- 
 self encompassed about with infirmities, and is hurried 
 away to the grave tlirough paths, that are overflown 
 with sorrow? and caJamities. As to his spiritual powers, 
 he is sensible that they were formed and tempered for 
 something, that is not on the Earth; their proper object 
 is not to be found among all those, that surround him. 
 His soul struggles, as it were, to break through the nar- 
 row sphere, in which it is now confined, and soar above 
 
 the ferth to attain a knowledge of things that seem 
 now to hide themselves. In the temper of the human 
 constitution there is a ^ong thirst;. aftCT happiness; 
 
 ^"^ 
 
 »fc»i'iL«. 
 
 fSi < 
 
fountain, but find, upon e'Sce .'hatT "^-^'^y h ^' 
 temes, mingled in every drauffht h- i»^ ^^""l.*"'- K'. »l 
 to ob|ect m eaeer searrh ,>f .5 .r^*"^ '^'" object lre.1 • 
 
 satiab'ic desire *f;d"^';:e^lT1^S':«^''^/'"T- P" ^ 
 <jujete£h Limself in vain ""' ' '"" ''« ^is. Li^ij,, 
 
 t.4s::n^(^Ko1rni'&eK'''r'«'> P- 
 
 tjes a, man is enduedVith. were fo^eH f^^M"^' I In th 
 tilings ot tj,e eartlij that ties J we.!^ "' ^^^ '"'' I"" <lesi 
 tenure of his nature that^^„ot be ™lifiT'" 't« f »«''"' 
 Jand V noiv inhabit AVVrp fi,2 7 gratified m the Cm an 
 
 tl.at. in ^hicb he was K2d ?//'"'' f •'"''"• pea 
 Jsience confined to the few ™^r^ / ?"'' ''^'* ''» ex- I, si„u 
 eartbf he wouU em> .tend »?"'"' ""t '«"^^ »" the lis^" 
 that made himThe'Sgbrwlh rXTaL'^ '*'?.^'"« P' , 
 dom of hi. Maker for not t^mS^^iuhP ^^^ '' h"""> 
 of his nature to find fuJI gratificatSn i ^'^^'^'P'^ t^ailir 
 surround him; he migK^Lw^"^-''''^'' ''''•« ^e wa 
 i-» complaints that his poAKdistelf"^ "''^ Neme 
 tliat he walks through a barren and d^ ^«d misery j lii,,e„e, 
 and that when his life is woSwith^"^' i''^"'^' I Man^ 
 
 he sinks comfortless witlioXholTntolie^'''"'^"' F- ^^ 
 such murmurings and comnlahS. if i t^"*- ^"t I him. ( 
 
 B.O..S we have?fTsuSTi:dS™^^^^ I"'*'^' 
 place and thafSX^TuES^.**'''' 
 
 
■», 
 
 'mpatjble with 
 * noble ftcul. 
 !d for the low 
 ■nvoven in the 
 
 */^h^amt1.a1 '"■"^'''""'"S ""^n ''y the Father of Light ^ea«.«.' ' 
 
 hcsiDsatevcry >Teftbrt cf'l u' "'^'^'' '^'"°"' ^^ iU most yZ- 
 'at tfiere is bit- Zl that Iv^^ J'*:?' ''"''^ ""iwteJ u, ; the da^ 
 «a fix,m object Q and Ti"'^'' ""'.•"'.•'"'' *'°'^<^' « *■" part s^«: 
 to allay his in- E^fdtob^r"'^ °* "" P-^ent state of huma„ 
 
 .oatible.,. fc- t^lll^^.Zrr^'' "'«'"^» wto^.1^7^! 
 
 tarries, on the 4" "''"abasement, and was mad; suCt to 
 
 to the BeinI S siilS/d'-'T'"' '?"l''"' °*'"«= '""'"an Sao 
 aign thewi^ e^'^,«,'^/'j:,f'''fiS»'-e'l; I'ow is the Divine ima™ 
 
 *e principle, EZL^T'wn '*'"''' ."l''*'"''"'^ b'=''"ty chanS 
 = objects t'ha CaifdeZl ^ '" ''"■'' '''■?'~'"'"' •"'""■^. *e mus 
 oodness with Ler„^, had nl??'""'"/ n"'- " S'"""'^ ""d dr^ 
 and misery ; LrveneToSpir^ ''' ^"'"^ '"""^^ "^''^^'^^ an J 
 )^ wjJd^rnessj I Man ^ » T'"ts. 
 
 faiidsorroH- lod r'JiM ^'"^ ""^"^^ '" ^^^ ""^S^ of the Eternal 
 
 nt Beiug.^ liStKffn. ^^ ^ }^^'^y "^"«^ necessarily be the 
 
 nef^mV te'::ru?rSntt„^src!.S1rtf 
 
 knee to the .^odel of pe'Sn M.i"""' "fT"' 
 
 WtaWe to tlfe M^t tn^^ ^'^ ^"^ ''"='i''^ '"^ «<:- 
 ui f«.i»LA... - ^^n SoyereiOTu Every der bi- 
 
 ^.l^^'^t was jusiand risht »oSd. mf=7fJ.™?- 
 
 
 -TtT 
 
.* ! 
 
 y 
 
 androndcr liim obnoxious to punishment. That inai 
 is no longer ju!<t bv the strict observance of Rightcou; 
 '^liess, is a clear point; that he has come short of th 
 Clory of God, and grieved the^ternal Spirit by devi 
 ating from it, will readily be admitted, when we look t| 
 the bright model of moral conduct, which was hel 
 out to the imitation of rational Creatures, and the 
 advert to the demeanour of lyiortals ! Without enqui 
 ing at present how Sin entered into the world, it is ce 
 tain that it now obtains, and the miseries that hara« 
 the human race, are the wages of it. Wherever thei|^"J]J* 
 is a consciousness of guilt, there will be distress of min[JJfhfr 
 and a fearful looking for of judgment; and none th 
 
 dge ( 
 Tor 
 imp€ 
 
 light! 
 
 cm A 
 
 attend to the Law written in their hearts, but whifj' 
 *.v..«..:«.,«^ " *umu!t of thoughts accusing, or else el ^^^^^ 
 
 cusmir one another. This convirtinu nf truilt must nrl i 
 
 * * .lerve tl 
 
 experience a tumult of thoughts accusing, or else e|, ^^^ 
 another. This conviction of guilt must pr|"lf'?, 
 elude all hopes of J3ivinc favour, till a means can 
 
 discovered, by which guilt can be expiated. In vaf"?^? 
 does reason strain its energy to discover wherewith {"J J • 
 make atonement for Sin.— We could never be bcgol" 
 ten again to a lively hope of Divine favour withoutt^Y" *^ 
 3{evelation from Heaven. • ll ^"^ 
 
 The Light, that was put into the mind of man, 1*, ^ 
 the beginning, was darkened, his discernment wl* V 
 dimmed by Sju, and the moral sense depraved. Hent^^ t 
 
 error and distorted apprehensicnaj^things duped tf ^^ i p 
 
 understanding, and the heart tooMfelight in whatti? • 
 Law of the niind reproved. This pervereion and df ^'" ?^ 
 generacy of human nature introduced much confusi(lif 
 and disorder into the moral world. The principles! ™^^ 
 Religion, ^vhich were originally woven in the textuf '^V^^ 
 «f our frame, lost sight, of their proper object; and tW I * 
 honour and worship, that were due to the Most Hi*™? 51 
 tiod, wei-e given to Creatures. The glort/ of the mcM ^^ ^ 
 fitptible God was changed into hn image made like P^^^^^P^ 
 corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed-beastSi 
 
 /creeping things. Though that which may be kno 
 4)i' God is manifest, for the invisible things of him ft 
 
 Bjspint 
 hat ex 
 'he Mc 
 
 \hath she 
 
^ 
 
 lent. That inai 
 nceof Riglitoou 
 
 Icr- 
 nal 
 icir 
 
 lice or niffnrooujJ ^ .• c^\ ^^ — ^ i ... 
 
 onie shoft of thF Tu 1 A'"" ''°/ '' ""'^ "'^'"^'^f ''''"' '^^'"^ ""^^^' 
 al Spirit by devl^ ^ ^"^ "'^^ ^^^ '"^*'*'' ^^'^^ Itis Etern? 
 
 when wc look tP^^^ ^"^ Godhead, yet iiten were bewildered in thei, 
 * which was hell^" imaginations; tiicir hearts were darkened, and 
 atures and theT^^ "^^^^ become foolish in their counsels: all flesh 
 Without cnqu^j' corrupted its ways and tmtli was not jn theyknow- 
 le world it is cer^rS^ ^* ^^^ mhabitants of the. Earth, 
 cries that haral ^?^^^ ^*^^ ^^'"^^^ effaced iuiai^e of the pivinity. 
 
 Wherever thej^"!^ j' *'*^ beguming on the human soul, GcJd 
 D distress of ininF^u^ ^»^*" his- countenance on man, that he 
 
 • and none th-t*^"*,^^^ justice and truth. A revelation was made 
 
 a means can 
 piated. In va 
 er wherewith 
 never be bcg( 
 avour without 
 
 nind of man, 
 isccrnment > 
 
 irmed with power, antl cloathed in majesty and glory; 
 ind the moral duties of man, both towardii his Maker 
 hd his Brethren were engraven on the tables of the 
 -iiw to be always before his eyes, that he might never 
 ecline into the ways of impiety and iniquity for wjMit 
 f knowledge. The commandments written on the 
 ables of the Law, are not new conmiandmer|^s; they 
 ^praved HcnJ*-^^®!** ^^^^ ^^^ Law written in our hearts. The exte- 
 llings duped tit''' ^-^'l "T^ g'?:^ *^ enforce the^gi-eat duties of na- 
 iffht' in w4iat tl? • ^ehgion, which men had departed from to pui-sue 
 •vei-sion and dP^" own imagmations; it was designed to be a per- 
 petual voice resounding through the Earth to ^ouse 
 ;he moral sense, which was become diill through dc- 
 
 i 1.1 t.ie lexiuK'^^J^^i^"*^ *''i*'^P ^'"'^^ ^¥ P^'^ciples of justice and 
 object • and tf"*' ^"^*^ wickedness and corruption had almost 
 the Most i^i J^othered in the heart ofjman. ' 
 ory of the unci ^^ ^?? ** ^ Spirit, a spiritual service only can be 
 remade like P^ceptable to him. If th% soul of man woi-ship God- 
 n spirit and tnith, it is «. matter of indifference with- 
 
 much confusi 
 'he principles 
 a in the textu 
 
 ooted-beasts^a 
 may be kno 
 ngsofhimfrj 
 
 rhat exterior rites the spiritual homage is expressed, 
 'he Most High ^cannot be pleased with sacrifices; he 
 \hath shewed thee, MaUf wm is good; and what doth 
 
 p^ 
 
f 
 
 8, 
 
 
 . I 
 
 . At Urd require oflhce, but to 46 jmthf, and to h 
 wemr, and to walk hmt,ly with thy God f 
 
 ■ Ihe principal design of tlie sacrifices of the La 
 ^n« lo pr«4.gn.fy the great btone.nent for S n. to 
 l.m,te when H.e fulmiss of tunc ,vas come. MaX 
 no 5oofter forfeited the favour of God by transgrcLt 
 Wd iffeui-rcd the condemnation denonnoed^a"! 
 disobedience to DiWue^authority ;Xw„ hone of m™ 
 was excited in hi^breast. A sh/ht ?lii«,Xa, affo 
 edof the pu^p6s?of-l5„d to relue inai kind fS 
 curse ot the Uw. a ray of the Sun of RiH.tc^uTne 
 darted upon the min.f, dejeeted with guiura ,d "hpe 
 ed the sorrowful heart 'li convey sof.: k. o feS^, 
 the plan «f redemption, which infinite wisdom°ai 
 goodness had ,levised,,sacrifices were early ins^ute, 
 they were Appointed to be solen.ni.ed amr. t 
 Jews, as^emiilematical actions, that w'ere to rcpfwe 
 the gi-cat sacrifice that was to b"e offered once for Si 
 by the ll.gl. Priest of the New Testameftt thus 
 structmg mankind that Sin must be expfated *",„ 
 ment made, before guilty Creatures co^d be r^o 
 c. ed to a just and Holy G^kI. The sacrifices o7t 
 Law could not make hii^, that did the service i«;rfe, 
 as pertaining to conscience; neither were they an I 
 ' mage m which the Almighty had pleasure; tiL we 
 ordinances, designed as a Schoolmaster to brin-. t 
 Israelites to Chr5t.-Througl, these, the holy men 
 ancient days saw the Messiah afar off; and kent tl 
 eye of faith steadily fixt upon hini. 'They Zretftu, 
 dcr iheLau^, shut up unto the faith, which should aftl 
 wards be rcwaled.-r-{Ga\. 3^23.) ■' 
 
 The Jews were a carnal Peoplel prone to follow t 
 gods of the Gentitles; men otVul? a'^^Sn/ 
 to thespnitual things,of the hving dod. JnV y, 
 4h^1ea|*,t the fcllies oF ttie WolShippS^^ 
 ^ods and betrayed ever afterwards a C ZJ^, 
 Jity to ,m,tate them. It was then espe<C^ K 
 to divert their Bunds.fioa, idoHtiy, totoad |eB,^^ 
 
 [dens 
 
 wan 
 
 thci 
 
 I, it 
 
 kvere 
 
 ayst 
 
 herSi 
 
 xpriaih 
 
 Lan 
 
 's: hi 
 
 Ice. (J 
 
 s Old 
 
 ople 
 
 the ] 
 
 |h,wa! 
 
 Iiatev 
 
 ray, a 
 
 ly be 
 
 Lith eq 
 
 Thou 
 
 er the 
 
 1 thini 
 
 ;)venai 
 
 lents, 
 
 tdsuif 
 
 7^ in t 
 
 rkenet 
 
 e ignoi 
 
 eir hci 
 
 'tness, i 
 
 '«, owrf 
 
 bdness 
 
 ;ht for 
 
 ^iety 
 
 nrighte 
 \a8 none 
 
'I 
 
 imthfland to to 
 God 9 
 
 ifices of the La 
 
 ent for Sin» to 
 
 come. Alan h 
 
 [dcnsomc rites nnd ccTtMiunijcs, that thcj might riot» 
 want ofexUMior piaclicrs jvo into the ways'of the 
 ithcns. To retain t hcni nit h<' service of the Hvin^ 
 I, it behoved to eMahlish sn('h>,\tcrior ordinances, 
 ivere suitable to' their dispositions. God hadiiot 
 I hv fror^c^ :"ways thus deHlt-witlj liis IVopIe. 1 i^pake not tm your' 
 
 'nounrd^r'-^r^''*' ^^"^*! ^'^^ ^^""'^^ ^^y '^'^ J^rophetxleremiah, rior 
 ten ho^ o^^'^Jpondedihem in ike daji that 1 lirmi^ht them out of 
 
 liiunse w^Jn'ST J ^''^^'^ ^^'^i^^fP^ conmnhii- l^unU ofitrin^s or sacrK 
 rifl, liin^ f ' iif** ^^'^^^« $^i''K^ I cominnudcd them samuir.obai mti 
 ofR "htf'''" 'r- (•'^^^'"'- 7-22.) The ritt.al Religion olthejeyvs 
 rrnJU «r I "f" 7^ ordained agreeable to the eircumstances of the 
 )nie knowtS T^'*^^ ""*' ^^-»"J^"^^ ''"^^' ^^ J'»^t but for a short time; 
 nite wisdorn'anl^'^^ P'^*''''^' (Tetermined on in the Counsels of Jehb- 
 ^rirlvincff /*"|h»was come for establishing a spiritual service.— 
 i'ed m^^ liighteousne^s and trutli may pass 
 
 ivere to ren?^J 1'*'"^'' """"^ ^^^r ^'''^'' ^'"'''=' ""^'"^ P^^'"^^^ -^^^ ^*""g* 
 red once ibr s!!r^. ^"^ changed, and are changed ; but justice and 
 tameht- tl -J"* eqduie trom gcneratum to generation.- ,j 
 
 evnJifp'^ ^1? jThough God had watched wit^ gracious Providence 
 could be " !!f^»'t'^^ lioiiHt^ of Israel, and had dcnie inanjr wonder- 
 sacrifices o7h1' ^'""^^^ for them; yet they transgressed against. his 
 - strvice nerfpT''*^"^"^ ' ^^^^^ perverted the ways pf his command- 
 me thev m 1 1^"^^' ^^'^^^^ ^^'^ '"^^^ '^^^* ^^ ^*^*^'^ traditions. God 
 isure- tlJev M ^^^^^^^^ ^^^ Nations to u^alk in their own ways, to 
 iter to brin J^nr^''^ "' '^^ ^'""^'^^ of their mitidMvinir the understanding 
 the holv men T'"^^"^*^' ^^"'" alienated from the life of God through 
 ff- ind It^rl f j1^ ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness 4if 
 ^eVt^re WtX''*^'^''''^- ^'"^'''^^'^^''^^ '^^ ^^ ^'o't himself without 
 itch should aft K^^^" "* that he did good, and gave tis rain fi-om Hea^ 
 V*^mny and fruitful seasons, JiUing our hearts with food ami 
 ladness; that no creature might be justified in his. 
 ;ht for with holding^he worship that was due to him. 
 ^iety and folly ha^ kid the Earth desolate with ' 
 iDneni, nf Vi'M^ <*esolation of abominations; ami tnith was held itT 
 stm^ nr J''%*iteousness; there was none thtU understood^ there 
 ediei^t lo wdl^* "'^^ *^^^ ^^"^^^ after God. They were alt gone out 
 
 load tbem wit 
 
 ne to foIIo\r t 
 pprehenaions 
 ^od. In Figy 
 
. 10 
 
 \ 
 
 of the way; thejj ncrc together become unprofitable; thirc\ 
 tsnoiie that dccfh good, no, not one; there isjtofearof 
 God before their eyes (Koni. 3.) 
 
 7 "When tho nionil I,aw is unfolded to its full extent, 
 /evei-y mouth is stopped, and all the world becomes 
 / guilty before God— J^.y the knowledge of tlie Law, the 
 / offence will indeed be found to abound; and it wiU be 
 / evident that by the deeds of the Law, no flesh shall be 
 justified in the sight of God— l^uf here, a bright \\<rht 
 \ bursts in upon us from L'eaven; the righteousness of 
 Godjithout the Law is manifested^ being witnessed bii. 
 the Law, and the Prophets : 'Even the righteousness of 
 God, zihich is by faith of Jesus Christ untofall, and upot^ 
 all them that believe. (Rom.3.) A Divine person ahsht© 
 on the Earth, the Son of the Eternal Father, who is 
 consecrated for evermore, an High Priest to put away 
 sm by the sacrifice of himself It required surely no less 
 than infinite wisdom and goodness to devise a scheme, 
 a redemption, whereby justice and mercy could be 
 harmoniously displayed, whereby God might be just, 
 and the justitier of sinners. 
 
 God had in time past spoken in divers manners un- 
 to the Fathers by the Prophets; but in these last days, 
 he hath spoken unto us by his Son, the Mediator of a 
 new covenant; and disclosed a great mystery of Faith 
 Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself 
 without spot to God, covers all guilt, and hides every 
 Offence; he purges the conscience from dead works to 
 serve the Hving God— Under this new covenant, a new 
 people IS formed, into whose mind, the Lord hath * 
 promised to put his Laws, and to write them in their 
 hearts. This regenei-ated race of mortals, cloathed 
 with the righteousness of faith, are a people devpted 
 to God; instructed by the Spirit that is put into their 
 ^^^h J'l"g^^^^Q"sness^ and true holiness, they live 
 
 soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; 
 benig made light in the Lord, they see whatsoever 
 things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatso* 
 
 ;i 
 
extent, 
 ?comcs 
 ivv, the 
 will be 
 hall be 
 It light 
 ness of' 
 'ised hif. 
 ness of 
 d upof^ 
 ilightsP 
 rt ho is 
 ' awai/ I 
 no less 
 heme, 
 lid be 
 ejust, 
 
 rsun- 
 
 days, 
 ►r ofa 
 Faith, 
 iniself 
 every 
 rks to 
 anew 
 
 hath 
 
 their 
 athed 
 v0ted 
 
 their 
 
 If livf* 
 
 orld ; 
 oever 
 latso-r 
 
 ever things are just, whatsoever things are pure; and 
 the love of Christ constrainetli them \o act according- 
 ly.— Unto such the Lord Jiath promised, I zcill bclo 
 them a God, and they ^hallbe to me a people, (fleb. 8. 10.) 
 
 The appellation of the people of God is no longer 
 given to a promiscuous multilude of men ; it is only 
 the select band of the just and wise, that is honoured 
 with this glorious distinction, 'j'o these, the Law of 
 God is no longer a mere exterior lisiht, that enlightens 
 the eyes to see righteousness, and that gives the know- 
 ledge of Sin; it is put into their heui-rs, ancFin !hrir 
 minds it is written. They are made pure^i thesio-ht 
 of God by the sacrifice, that the IVIedicUor of the Tvjv/ 
 Testament has olfcred; and tiie God of peace, through 
 the blood of the eveHasfjno- covenant, niiikts ihcn: perfect 
 in eyerif good work to do his iciU, zcorling in ihcm that 
 which is pleasing in his sight, through Jcsm Christ. A 
 new tabernacle is pitched on the ilarth, in which the 
 sen-ants of the MoM High, ^animated with an holv 
 ardour, because the/ love of God is shed ahrnnd in their 
 hearts by the Holy jf^Most rvhich is given unto them, olier 
 the sacrifice of prhise to God continually. 
 
 The first covenant had been inelfectuai to form pure 
 woi-shippers tO; Gyd. The strict observance of the 
 ritual Keligion of Moses could only render men irre- 
 proachable in the eye of the Law, and give them a le- 
 gal uprightness. I'he bh)od of bulls and goats niadc 
 satisfaction for the violations of the ritual Law, it sanc- 
 tified the unclean to the purifying of the Jlcsh; but a 
 sacrifice of much higher value was requisite to purify 
 the conscience from sin ; and to enable us to worship 
 the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The old covenant 
 was then disannulled ; and a new dispensation enforced 
 by more powerful, and more efficacious motives, was 
 established, that the Lord might be worshipped spi- 
 ntualJy and truly, it was not with any peculfaf nff-~ 
 tion, that the new covenant was made; it was with all 
 the chosen Spirits, that dwell on tlie Earth, to whoi^ 
 
. 13 
 the eternal purpose of RrrfiT- 
 iiiiglit be revealed. These^l^'""c '" *-'""''' ^^^"^ Go,l s 
 himself a Church «f put wSCf V" ^"T ""'° "'' 'p> 
 comers of the Earth ... ,,17 P"^*^*^- *""""' "'« 'ourlneav,. 
 
 pel of peace hfslt :X^rtSc";s""it' "". ""TH^^ 
 are rene«ed in the spirit of tlHt J ^''"'?"'l '^"' «he lev 
 acceptable, and a.gjleable se vk^ettl .' r"'' °ff ?» ""'^ ^ 
 
 ibe people of God U n,^„ "f '"'">« ^"'l- ' 
 
 earthly ;ie.i:en°s The yZ "fl^H 'H' *" ^"'^ o*" 
 been loaded with waTh^^t!' '"^ ""= Israelites had 
 more to be moestVd fi.rH V *"'' '»^" 'vere;,o<rno 
 rites and oe,«„on^ o • the'l ''":?"'".°'' '*''' ''='"""^ 
 Jed unto liberty" and wein^tT '' K '^ '"''^ ^'-"<=" ^••"- 
 >vid, the yoke of bonder "°' '" ^ ^"'""S'^d "gain 
 
 „•,, --""^'ij* it'iu were 
 
 ^'^^'/i*'*^,^^^^ of bondage. 
 
 iiie Divine scheme of 
 
 Iieirs of 
 'J'he < 
 fulJofr 
 deliveie 
 readily ^ 
 ife : eve 
 is .the tri 
 
 •"qu.ty by (ai.h, and to pek'ct the ti T f f' """' I '^'''e H 
 t^M they nmy be .nade fit for I co,T "* ""i-'"*'- |f°"r fa 
 Jather of Spirits. The words of the ?""'°!' ' ""= T"^ '"'>' 
 end hfe-Earthly thina-s nrnfi! n, .. ■ "■'P'^' '"''' ''""' flie curee 
 that quickeneth^'&ri": fe'f " ""^P'"' M-^ 
 tial concern with the «/«»«?/.!/•;*,'"" "" essen- Iho work. 
 
 peace and benevolence ; it can telp L /^ '~'"' "'" pe Gospc 
 
 r.^hteousness and pe.ce. aldt .Tn'^.^liT^^d.''."' N'en „ 
 
 ]wa oe/iei'c 
 
 ^ctrine; t 
 irs is, to 
 prist, the ; 
 Te througfc 
 
 occupied 
 stry of re 
 
 righteousness andne^re a J™' ?'''?'^*" 
 
 The main pSes of thl-?'! '".*'"' "°'^ ^host. 
 ftith. hope, and charitv h^ti. ^^" °"''"">'"y a"* 
 the Gosp';ris accSsheY-fei'f, «!^' ^'^'S" "^ 
 ence, those who ha e rpn^rYri * '"r jomt influ- 
 of God, grow up unto ZTf *''^ """"P""" "fSons 
 
 of the stature Tthe fuCrfr?^ T'" '^ "'^''""'* 
 •n^^LtoMpartake^T^."^!^'?"''; and are made 
 mie wlvaUon S^j^n^ mhentance of the Saints, 
 
 mankind, w«s the great object of 
 
 % 
 
 ^ 
 
> Clirist Jesus 
 . to form unto 
 From tlie four 
 d of the Gos^ 
 gathered vrha 
 I and offer an 
 
 I'viuja^God. 
 T the Law of i 
 fsraelites had 
 
 ^ere how no 
 'f the tedious 
 ive been cal- 
 ingled again 
 
 13 
 
 ' Spirit and 
 ■ heart from 
 5 of the just, 
 ion tvitJi the 
 >el are truth 
 is the Spirit 
 as no essen- 
 ; it is inde- 
 nt is spirit, 
 te the glory 
 iG bond of 
 ler concern 
 scency, or-» 
 I of God/* 
 mc^ ; but 
 ly Ghost. 
 >nomy arc 
 t design of 
 oint influ* 
 ►n of Sons 
 3 measure 
 are made 
 lie Saints, 
 object of 
 
 God's mercy ; his -will iric f i • 
 
 ti"s purp.osc^i'th.Tso of g";!';.?":""?'"",-^"' 
 Hcuvens, and a „ew Pa.tl, wi '";""'«ted; new 
 
 ousness. were diSe , . ' L ''''"u' ''""'"^■''^ righte-' 
 the love of God hed al^iI^i"''-"''^'.'"'"*P«". »"«» 
 Holy GLost. to work gl, cole s" '11 'f "'' ^^ "'«■ 
 [lieirs of eternal life. '»'"'^0"'"'ci'S, tliat we uiay be 
 
 The essential docdines of tl,» r' i 
 ^"11 of richness; «„,! I?v Ire cfcarlf'' '^ ^> ''"' 
 Iclivered. Every one il'Lt , .- "'"' distinctly 
 
 •eadilyperceive^CVnl-tlsa^^^^^^^ 
 
 ;'fe : every soul that consideroth ?v I ' , ^"^ *"'''"'''' 
 
 's/he truth; what the rio-l '"''I unders!and what 
 
 '-'-hattla^4'te^ zrher^ 
 
 , f our tUi.h:V4 ' J S^ ;;;,'- Divine ^nthor 
 ■as come into the v.or | .vf '''"^ ■^*'^'"al father 
 l'ecn..ebf the Law : I, 'l .!"'"'. ".'«!'hi»d "om 
 
 ^ecni-sebf the Law •",,,",'•';• ''""', ",""''^""' "<>"' 
 ^eaven. that sin shairb7re ^f,"'' f "^ '"^'"S^ «"- 
 "' "-orkers of it. that rep ^-/'l^^lt";' "'"'' "«"*"'*' 
 esus, Hjon, God hail, Sttlibt I "^ '" *-''"'■"' 
 "ough f-uth in |,is blo,„|. . ' '.",'"'. " P"-<>l>itiation 
 ,'fcd to God, they slil.Tr "'''''''''.«'''"'' '•'^'■on, 
 
 N Gospel <>*• p..a4 wh ,s"' ; 1,?'""' ^''"^''i'- is 
 <e Earth, and its wwls unto H "' '""'"'.went into all 
 
 i'l>eg.^at business of the tir^tAr'-'."'"''" *»^W- 
 M was to preach Christ rnicifiedrr'" "'/'"' ^■"- 
 < ft len man. Their constant evf ''" ■''dcmption 
 
 ferf. Every page of 1" P ' r""^ ''">" 'kilt 1,1 
 
 ktrine; the^prin?ip,d con'eSfr "^ !»"».'''- 'his 
 
 R >s, to engage niert to hlr '.- '"'P"'"' wri- 
 
 l'>rW,tbeSonofGodtl^fr •"'''' "■*' J^"s i»he 
 i-e thn.ugh hi, nam.' To S::"f/''^->""«'''*v: 
 
 
J^ 
 
 14 
 
 the knowledge of the glory of God themselves, tlieir 
 most strenuous exertions were employed in diifusing 
 the light of it around them. They had no long cata- 
 logue of articles of faith to propose to their hearers ; 
 they were only solicitous that they might have som(5 
 comprehension of the unsearchable riches of Christ, 
 and might sec z^hat is the fellowship of the nnjsten/y 
 which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in 
 God. 'Jhc Jews they convinced, shewing by the scrip- ' 
 tures that Jesus was Christ ; and to the Gentiles they 
 preach that bv the knowledge of. the only true. God; 
 and Jesus Christ wlwm he hath sent, is life eternal. 
 Their chief solicitude appears to be, to lead those, to 
 whom they preach, whether Jews, or Gentiles, to the 
 knowledge of tlie Son of God ; well aware, that when 
 they knew the love of Christ, and had received him in- 
 to their hearts by fkith, obedience to the Law, which 
 is briefly this, to love God supremely, and our neigh- 
 bour as ourselves, would readily follow. 'Jhe moral 
 precepts of the Gospel are no objects of faith; they 
 are the ready dictates of every conscience that is puri- 
 fied by faith, and renewed in knowledge and love- 
 When the mind is full of the knowledge of truth, and 
 the faith of Jesus is deeply impressed on the soul; the, 
 heart is cleansed from all ungodliness, and made to 
 abound in the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the darkness is\ 
 then past, and the true light shineth. 
 
 The main principle of the Gospel Dispensation, is 
 faith in Jesus ; this is the corner stone of the new Ta- 
 bernacle, that God has pitched on the Earth— What! 
 the Christian Revelation has, in a special mannerl 
 brought to light, is life, and immortality through Chnsf 
 Jesus. The Prophets had heretofore spoken to manj 
 kind concerning the Lord, and his testimonies ; wha 
 yfas reserved for Christ to reveal, was, that the onU 
 begotten SoiTDf ^odhad put on^ the ferm^ a servantJ 
 ftnd was come into the world to be the propitiation foj 
 m unto all, and upon all them, that believe. 
 
baptized. Doubtless wtv i . ^^ . '''^' ^"^ ^^as 
 t4e of salvation tm Plf ilip"""^'' ''"'"' "«= f"" "^oc- 
 
 he yet spoke ,1^}^" f't'! '.T""" '?^'*''«- While 
 heaid the «ord and Pe^- . ''" •'"■''' ""^'" '^'"^l> " 
 baptized. SuteIvtl.Pn.^I ""'?'""'•='' ""«" '" he 
 
 «a?delivered M:ccas?or '"^'""'^ "*'^^'>-'-» 
 
 y, the Apostles were fkithful M Sis of the f "'"' " 
 they dehvered the entire word o/Xt" ' ^ ^"'P'^' '• 
 cere pen tent laitli in i„ • , "^''"O" to this sni- 
 
 pel; wereco ethe omiseonr '""■' "'"*''*= ^'"'- 
 and are instructed 'kTnecetrrf t'^'t '^'"'' 
 the countenance of God s Ws k f W ' '''''"''• 
 
 the design of the Gosn^l >,< j- i """^"Z- " was not 
 •nysteriet of God nlv o.ti^fe^'^r'' '" "■?'"'^'"'' "" "'e \ 
 state of things °(K,'SleoS''.f''' '" ""^ '"•'••»'^"' 
 the Most Hilh for the ..llr^ •? ? "r''P '^''"'^ "''»Ss of 
 them-Pli, fulmenNf^-^ '''^''S^'''^ 
 bast findinc^oiu w/ ""^'^"'•'^''"hlc, and his waw 
 
 ^rehe„"i?i:=^lttery :S P"™''. '}"" "" '"'^''"'- 
 
 
16 
 
 \kx) 
 
 he do 
 Isociet} 
 |ful dis| 
 land C] 
 tibns, 
 [to imp 
 Ami 
 
 sion of it ; but, as our salvation is depending on iCitl^^^f 
 is in mercy held lorth as an object ofliiithi and.on thefjj; j,,, 
 word of God ,we believe aiid adore. We couM hav 
 no other evidence of the eternal purpose" of God t 
 provide a propitiation for sin, than a voice Troni Hea 
 ven announcing it, and pointing^ out the I^mb o 
 God, which ttiketh away the sin of the world. I'li 
 things, Avhich belong unto our peace, are made known _ 
 God hath testified of his Son, that he hath given to i/Jxi 'T?' 
 eternal life, and this life is fn his Son ; (1 John o.) an J^k?^ 
 he that believe fh on the Son of God, hath the v;itness iMuT'i] 
 himself even the spirit of God bearing witness witlltif^rp 
 his spirit, that he is a cliild of God. These truths thelafl 
 word of God plainly attests; and it is a sure wordK" "1^, 
 whereunto we do well that we take heed, as unto Jrom 
 light that shinoth in a dark place, until the day dawn|ijidXn* 
 It had been happy for mankind, had they alwayl^o-j "i 
 closely adhered to the sure word of pro|)hecy, withoula hpht 
 allowing themselves any encpiiries into what is incomlmattpL^ 
 prehensible. But the world has been agitated wit |to God 
 endless disputcson points, where we have no clearlight 
 We never can understand thoroughly the mysteries o\ 
 redemption, so long as we continue to dwell in ou 
 present dark abode; we may strain our conception 
 but in vain, to attain a perfect knowledge of theiuj 
 our faculties are not adequate to the subject, then 
 fore we are not required to comprehend, but are calle 
 upon to believe : faith must ever be the evidence c_,,;„ce- ai 
 the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. Vain moifcut ^an 
 tals have, afnidst their darkness, started phantomsfcure to c 
 and have coatended with fierce and bitter zeal thaCjes. thi 
 they were realities. The Christian Tlieology has beeiJhemselv 
 loaded with all the surmises of human ignbrance.-KchiDulo 
 Though at present, we know but in part, and seEo thems 
 through a glass, darkly; yet men have presumed 
 advance their thoughts and opinions with as mu 
 confidence, as if they had a full knowledge of thin^ 
 and saw clearly; they have often obtruded th^ oy 
 
 The s 
 "6fs 
 " will 
 **Rel 
 Men< 
 
 Itrue Rel 
 ndefile< 
 
 lence; ai 
 
 LVC 
 
 There 
 
:'nc1ing on it,' it, 
 Ithi and.on the| 
 \\e could liav 
 me of God t 
 >ice Tmni He 
 
 the I^iiib o 
 e world. Tli 
 '■ made known 
 oth given to u. 
 i John o.) an 
 i the witness h 
 X witness wit 
 lese truths th 
 
 a sure word 
 *e(l, as unto 
 the day dawn 
 d they ahvay 
 hecy, withou 
 k'hat is inconi 
 asjitated wit 
 no clearliirht 
 e mysteries oi 
 ) dwell in ou 
 r conception! 
 dge of thenj 
 ibject, ther 
 butarecalle 
 e evidence 
 s. Vain mo 
 d phantom 
 itter zeal thi 
 logy has beei 
 ignbrance.- 
 )art, and s< 
 presaraed 
 ith as mu 
 Ige of thin^ 
 i^ their ov 
 
 17 
 
 Ifkncies, and imaginations on the world, as ffospel truths' 
 kud he spnitual children of God have been teS Jit h 
 ^he doc nnes of human presumption. 1 Wace of 
 society has beenoftendisturbedx^tlnv^ 
 ful cl^pti tations on things that are ^lot for mah to W 
 and Christendom has been split into parties by nuJ? 
 ions, that neither tend to edification no contrrutc 
 to improvement in sound knowledoe ^^"^"^"^0 
 
 Amidst the confusion^ and chaos of controversies 
 that human wit has produced, the sincere knd honest 
 christian will steadily adhere to the plain word of God 
 
 hi? S^ '7 ^ '^^\ presumption, to unclose what God 
 has ^osed up, and sealed, till that which is perfect^ 
 come until the bright day dawn, that is to umdl he 
 
 ttf^Jr^T f.^u^^' '^^ ^^'» ''^^^ ^^arily, wiU the 
 word of God m his hand as a lump unto his fee and 
 a light unto his path; bent upon pul^uing the wethtie 
 matter, of the law, he will strive to approve Ihnelf 
 to God, rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. 
 I The small band-" In the worship persevere" 
 „ ^f spirit* and truth; the rest far jrreater part" 
 
 "R^^r^aus^^r'"^^^'^"'^^^^^^^^ 
 
 Ifn5p" t-^^ ^^""^^'^^ themselves, and mistake in what 
 [true Religion consists. The Religion that is pure and 
 
 fc l ^-^^^P oneself unspotted from the world- 
 [but mankind is wont to make Religion in a great meal 
 
 fe'^hevTh" *^^^^^— - «' "tes anfl'cere^t 
 wes, they fashion vanous superetitions; and soothe 
 
 >T^T P^'^?''"^"'^^ "^'^^^ ^"t»*^«' th4y prescribe 
 • Aemselves^^e offering an acceptable ser^c^ 
 
 Twif"' ^"'^ 'u''""^ HP * ^^^"''^ of good works. 
 iHeieis an unhappy bias in mankind, that leads 
 
 / i 
 
 l',ji«a»A--'' .' • 
 
1- 
 
 hk 
 
 1^ 
 
 them to superstition ; and to contract an ov^rweanintf 
 attachment to forms of godliness.— As all their ideas 
 ot Keligion are apt to be connected with the obser- 
 vance of exterior rites; Religion, it is weakly thought, 
 M destroyed, if men of improved judgment, and re- 
 Imed taste reform^ vain ceremonies, and attempt ta 
 establish a more edifying mode of worship. Men were 
 for many ages busy in heaping up on the foundation 
 ot tlie bospel vam, and unprofitable forms of eodli- 
 ness; so that in coui-se of time, the yoke that the weak 
 and credulous were made to. bear, became more hea- 
 vy and gnevous. than what the Jews had borne. But 
 m proportion as the human mind became enliditened 
 and was enlarged with sound knowledge, thetascina- 
 tion of superstition was dissolved, the erroi-s mvit^ov- 
 ruptions, with which the Gospel Religion had been 
 debased, assumed their true coloui-s, and a generous 
 
 RdS ofSf^^ ''' '^"^^ ^"^ ^^^^^ ^'^^ P"- 
 
 HpST^/^^ ^W^^' ""^ *^^ Christian Church, in-, 
 deed, the Gospel doctrine was displayed in its puritv 
 Then ,t might be said, with propriety, that tho^e who 
 professed the nan,e of Christ, constituted the Church 
 ofChnst They were filled with the spirit of wisdom 
 woi"" Th^v'" ''^ 7^^^^" ^^ *^^ children of' the 
 rnew'inrifc^'^ '°'*'^!^ regenerated, and created 
 anew m righteousness and true holiness; they were 
 baptized with the Holy Ghost, and with the VTof 
 divme love, and purified from all impiety and worfdh^ 
 
 The primitive Christians were the chosen band of 
 
 trhWtr.'r'/T ''^t^^^ '- main^rtht 
 
 Tw JP ' . fu^""^ ^""^^ *"^ support h« holy cove- 
 nant against the powere of darknL, that knew not 
 
 Uinst, and uttered imprecations against hinf. The 
 Jword of persecuUott kept put pf tbeChurch of Ql^t 
 
../ 
 
 19 
 
 the profane ; none professed the name of Christ, but 
 such as truly purified by faith, and upheld by th© 
 power of God were ready to enter the list to fight the 
 battle of the Lord. 
 
 Those, who amidst an heathenish world believed in 
 Christ, were a rock of scandal, on which all the rage, 
 and fury of demons was wrecked. The servants of the 
 Most-High assert with firm, and steady resolution the 
 honor and glory of their I^rd ; they profess boldly, 
 that t^ey ador^ but one God, the Creator and sove- 
 reign disposer of all things; they confess tljeir faith, aa 
 men, that had not received the spirit of fear^ but of 
 power and of love not to be ashamed of the cross of 
 Christ. They fear not the anger of offended idolatry, 
 neither do they dread the wrath and indignation of alF 
 the powers of darkness, that were enraged to see their 
 worship treated as impiety and their gods as demons; 
 Ihey esteem themselves happy that they suffer for the 
 name of Christ. v 
 
 No punishment whatever could compel the true 
 Christians to offer incense to the gods of the Empire ; 
 or to worship their images. The crudest torture* 
 could not extort from them imprecations and blas- 
 phemies against Christ. No consideration could in- 
 duce, no threats could intimidate, no racks could com- 
 pel them to deny the Lord that made them, and rc- 
 deenithem by Jesus Christ. Neither tribulation, nor 
 distress, nor persecution, nor famine, nor nakedness, 
 nof peril, nor the sword could separate them fi-oni the 
 Jove of God which is in Christ Jesus. Nay, in all 
 thesp things they were more than conqueibr? through 
 him that loved them. 
 
 Their steadfastness in holding fast their profession, 
 was mistaken by the Gentiles, who knew not by what 
 power these new men were supported, nor under the 
 
 jDflu finceirfiyfa a t 8ftrit4heyactedy4t was^faiatakea 
 for audacious behaviour, a^ immoveable obstinacy, 
 
 $bfttd«8W^^ severest punishments. Thelieftthw* 
 
 ■:''!*.'v '". , 
 
\ 
 
 io 
 
 ^^^^:^"^j!'^r •"^■" "■«' "^» ' 
 
 V'inciples to account for l\^- "''''' ""' "P"" "hat 
 
 after they were filled wiMhM' r^'r/P"''' , 
 theyliverefunofnewwine s„th/« ^.^'•^-'^'''^'''d ^ 
 wg the constancy andfifrHh^J Gen„ies, o^ii behold- 
 
 mleofnien that l,»H J ''^ *"'' "'•'ich the new 
 
 teiijed tSpSsio^Pl^S^P amongst them, mafn! 
 
 Jgnofant of the Eternal GnH- tf.^ ^3,.)—! hey were 
 Imd houred out his w.ir t ,.„ ' ^^^ ^"^'^ ""* 'hat he 
 the„Vld fix.m be TblrnPr'"'^'?'?"'' to reclaim 
 
 c^tablJ^h his ij^Iy Cove ™nt Th?"^ "^''^"'^' «"'' "^ 
 truth, J,„d could dkcover,"n ,1, P ^•'^^'^>'=' '''''"I «<> 
 tians nking,more Z^an ^V' ««'''«'flf^ the Chris- 
 
 toofltri ' e„^, a,S'll£ 11'.^'"?''*= for declining 
 i..mgi„ary\De?t es fo™i'*''''°'li^ "'« »»=»'"««. of 
 options oi- the worid ar^ t™ ".*^i'"'^^^°'^ '*°'^ '^or- 
 "•anklnd/^ipd de3 deserlK fh *^^ ""^'^^t °f " 
 tempt, and pf the execra^Z f n ""^ "t"*"" con- 
 
 d'^n of lighttareac^used hv K ■! 5"^"' "^^ •^''"- 
 of impiety, a^d inS aJd ^^'i''"*" "J" '^''*°^^. 
 molated to aLeas^ fi ' ,k «'■^^7oted to be im- 
 T''« injured Em- oP thL "^ f "''S'"*^* demons— 
 
 the deith of tie n,L/ "'°'' """' N reveneed- 
 ♦(.„ • • T^ vhnstians must aton*. «x..'.i,« .»""» 
 
 the ,mp,ous mUt suffer for Stint ?h» V * T""^'' ' 
 ;^us,„g to perform the ia^lul^^u^P^Z-d 
 cesses wdl not the hlinHn^lT ^o ^^at ex- 
 
 cess of JqisguiVedz^neM*^"^' ""^J '•'<' ««««'- 
 against thelddrers ^th!^,"?? ' j^'f V">tMn raged 
 
 their great irkh Ld T 5i** ^^ ''""^ "P '» 
 againft th^mi A^^^t^^^^^ 
 
 ■«'.J 
 
21 r< ^ . ' 
 
 the earth are mbhtv nn/™ '. ' "•' Po«ers of 
 
 Lord, who d,v" fe f l,^!!^?^'.'^""^ = ^'"^ '^ 
 spoken th5,word. ti;a?"he& '^^\ ''h"'"'<= ''=" 
 vad aga.»?t the Church ot E If t""^' T P""^' 
 council of the eternal fiod O^,. .u ^ " j'''"^'' '" "'e 
 shall triumph oveSn^P,; i '"'' '^'"' "^ ^'i'f-hrisl; 
 
 jj mighty hL giraa ;i/,;'S;,:r "^ ''"" 
 
 .very ^eins .r/'d^J; t^^" K'- 'l "^'f "^^ "^ «hc 
 'outrageous violences ofThf ■ ^'""''" ""e most 
 namefcod carted! foW^ •""""'' ^°C '»"' <^'''"»tia.. 
 to bear; he make i,°w^'tt of r"'''''>".'' ''""«^ '' 
 magnanimity and urBTrSlili ? "" P^"'*^ ^'""- '^'''o 
 tian Martyrs triumphf^^eS "^ "'" <^''"^ 
 
 pel. and their bl Jd sThe «ij /rT™'"'"* '''«^"^ 
 
 During (hisnerioH «f r I .^ "^ ^ '» istians. 
 bringinglo nXhti^hHl™''"?''!'- ''''"'' «°d '.a, 
 the S.ings whiKre 1 T.""'*'' ^'""S' "'"'he world 
 the wise^ith wi^ 'w^s dfe T^T '="'"'<'"nding 
 scarce pe:.=eptible Zn|Zt&''"nT= l;'''"",'^''' 
 persecution pursed thp <L.T j • ^ ''^ hreat h of 
 ft«m thefals^cf ist^ans ^'""'^ fP"""**^ "'« trua 
 |the fcry trial. quitSetehtf^rh"'''/''.;'''^"'* 
 they did not belong to it h„t tl,» ^7"' ^^C'^^'^ 
 ed. with unshaken fowt^oft „ ?""" f ^°'' '"^'ain- 
 with peweverance ?,f tfe ","'?S'^'" ""^^ fonght 
 
 p^A/,Ld obSnSthei^waTwin '^'''' ^^'•'' « 5--^ 
 Wipalieies, against^Z™ aStTr'''?S^^'''''' 
 , larkness of this world tllT a- ^."*' 'J"^ "^"'e"^ o'tlie 
 themselves as the blameS andTi*^ f^'^'^ ''«"«'>1 
 MUt rebuke, in trStofaeS:^' °' ^^^^ 
 
 •> A- «■ v^ If '»i\ 
 
■ 
 
 2« , 
 
 the Gospeh and were truly the Church of the living God;^ 
 the ptilflr, and ground of the tritth. Jiy having an ho^ 
 l»c»t^d irreproachable conversation aniong'^the Qen- 
 tiles, they confounded the nialice of their enemies, 
 and disconcerted the tongues of cal unmy. They were 
 subject to higher powers, for conscience sake, a«d ren- 
 dered tribute to whoi^jiibute is due, and honour to 
 whc*n honour; bu^jji^ l^etray the first of moral 
 duties, to obey Gp<i|P No accusation of 
 
 cnmmal beliavioi|r<gi|ild besubstantiated againstthem. 
 The onlffM^tbat tfiose who deserted and utterM ana- 
 themas agili^Cljrist, could lay to their charge, was, 
 that they assembled Upon a certain stated dat/y befqre it 
 was light, to sing alternately among tkemselvek Hymns 
 to Christ, as to a God; binding tifemselvesty a sacrament 
 fiot to be guilty of any wickedness, fwt% steal, not to 
 rob, not to commit adiUtery, nor to break their faith, 
 when plighted, nor refuse the deposits in their 'hands 
 V^heiiever called upon Ho deliver them. (Pliny lib. 10, 
 Ppis. epis. 97.) 
 
 From the Saints, of the primitive Church we may 
 Jearn in what the Christian f^eligion was then thought 
 to consist. The Religion of the first believers consisted 
 |n the knowledge of the living God, and of his Christ, 
 pnd in the practice of true holiness under the influence 
 of the Divine Spirit. They had, heretofore served idols, 
 they knew not what truth was, had been slaves to the 
 of their own ignorance ; but the light of the 
 shoMLjarxm %em, and they were brought, by 
 ^ ceoi^^us Christ, to the knowledge of the^eter- 
 
 paluQd, their Creator, and were made acquainted 
 with his judgments and testimonies; the word of sal^ 
 ¥atjon through the Mediator^ that had qffered himself 
 the propitiatipn for 9iq, was preached to them; and 
 ^ey were redeenied from tjieir vain conversation re- 
 p^ived by tradition from their fathers. They whq 
 ^W^sKsojftetwM^aMmafediandrm^ 
 mokett mrhf arc fondled ^9 Gc^ and JHh^ with 
 
 \ ' 
 
/ 
 
 ?.1 
 
 tkt hws^ledrrc of hs tcill in n)( wisdom, and spiritual 
 understawting. ^ 
 
 But, when the Christian Religion ceased to be the 
 object of (Mibl.codiumrand the Uoman people began 
 to venerate wJiatll.ty ba.l^efore oonsidCTed asV 
 abonimabe mipietj; when the constancy, and the 
 ^'irtue of tho Chnstians made people conceive a hidi 
 idea ofthe (,od they uorshipned, fnd inclined them 
 to be favourable to their HdigU ; when the light, th« 
 Christians held out began to pi|rcc through the thick ' 
 dai-kness that ^ooded over th>Heat hen world, and 
 manifested to men's minds the folly and l^surdi t v of ido- 
 lalry ; when the Christian Rehgi on was countenanced 
 by mij^erial approbation ; and pi|tected by public 
 authority ; then, multitudes lofpr^pie men professed 
 ^le nanic of Christ, and contamin^^d the sticred Re- 
 hgion of Jesns with their iinpeftin«|»cies and follies. ^ 
 1I.C sword of persecution being shalthed, good and ^ 
 bac crowded promiscuiously into the Church of Christ 
 with all the tram of human imperfections; true and" 
 tal^ Christians were henceforth couf««nded toeether 
 and from this mixture of characters, the countenance 
 ofthe pubhc profession of Christianity was soon a f- ' 
 fected. Humanity is, indeed, so tempered, that in the 
 course of ages the most sacred truths are exposed -to 
 be blended with the doctrines and traditions of men • 
 and there was reason to fear that the purity of the ' 
 spintual Religion of Jesus would soon, when Christi- 
 anity becanie the public Religiqp of the Empire, be 
 polluted With the superstition of the pagan wo;-Id. 
 
 If, after having meditated upon tlie Scriptures, and 
 perused the I'ecords, and documents of the primitive 
 Church, m order to foiin a just apprehension ofthe 
 th^?/T 'J^* p^T'- ''^. t";;'^ ««»: attention to examine 
 
 TiT^^^ the reftjrmation ; we are Ibrcibly struck wUh- ~ 
 the diflference of features. In the Religion of the Scrio- 
 tares, ^e dwcorer JDiTwe traits ; but in the Religiii 
 
 ^ 
 
 ■ «f 
 
 -f-.''a 
 
I' 
 
 .24 
 
 6f nations, before the reformation, maiics of humali 
 weakness and imperfection are glaring. On rcaZc 
 theScnptures, every principle tffat h generous in hu! 
 man nature, is roused ; we are ricl.ly enteitained with 
 spintual truths ; a glow of holy zeal warms our raiX 
 and our heart swells with love and gmtitude at S 
 cital of the great mercies of our God. But on con^ • 
 dermg the established Religion of the world at the pe- 
 riod of the reforniat.on, every serious and imparSal 
 ■ ll'^f •""''^'f''* r^ differently affected. Instead of 
 the fair and lovely forms of truth and sound docrtie 
 such ^ the word of God delineates, we find Ae blun 
 ders of Ignorance; the wisdom of dark ages fashioned- 
 mto systems ; there is no beauty to*^™ ZZ.Z.} 
 Jente to delight tl.e mind, nay If is g^/ed'a^nd S 
 to see the Holy Covenant of the Lord disfigured and 
 deformed with the mean conceits ami devices of su- 
 perstition The righteousness of the Lord is forgot- 
 ten, and his true knowledge is not in the public mind 
 
 f«T'!."r"v """"'' 'i*^"'*'"' observances, uZ^l 
 table austerities were thought to be nieritoriool and 
 
 HeavLn': "" '^" "'''''''' *^' ^'"^ acceptable to 
 
 As it is by pondering over the inspired pages, that 
 just sentiments of Religion are awakened ancfcheiish: 
 e4 in the breast, and we learn what constitute trae 
 Piety : «. the neglect of that sacred repository of l7^ 
 dom, must operate to debase the sentiments, and to 
 lead peoDle to mistake wherein true Religion consU 
 
 from perfection and degenerate, if not coiStantlfZ 
 neweJ in the vigour of their mind by the pure S 
 ofwisdona: if they converse not femiliar^y witHhe 
 subhme things of the spiritual world, they srnkinto 
 
 truth and wisJom was obscured by mists S error^ 
 mens ideas nf Ri>l »;»« -,„ x_ •: *""" v» error. 
 
 men's ideas of Religion were goa(nS[ed,Zill":j 
 
 ^.^ii," 
 
25 ■ ' 
 
 bi'ehensions of the riiriof^Tn 'i', .,„ i- ■ 
 and i)ervcitp,l A ,'",, ^'■•P'="sa'ion depressed 
 ana pciv cited A slight acquaintance with human 
 affairs must make ..s sensiWe that the moral taste ^s 
 depraved or refined, accordin:; as the obiectl that en 
 gage our attention, are citherlow orcxai ed So that' 
 when the wisdom and truth ofGod, which came brtlt 
 from Heaven, were darkened bv thick clouds flf hu 
 man conceits and fancies, one is not suipVised fha a 
 
 was really the case before the time of Reformation 
 came. Hence menhad tMrued away their eaSn he 
 truth, and were turned unto tabl/s. That fienerositv 
 
 ing justly, and feeling nobly, was extinguished and a 
 
 ^"^ "fu *"'",'''*^ ''^"■'"'^ to possess thci?m ndswhfch 
 made them deaj^, the voice of wisdom. ' '"''' 
 
 avwTh.r,''TH, "'''"'''!: "'"^' l^e constrained to 
 avow, th^t such ,s the complexion of the Iteliaion the 
 dark and gothic ages had framed: that a verySt re 
 semblance can be discerned between it and the Reli" 
 
 pcrstructure of human doctrines and institutions h-.,l 
 yet been raised on the sacred foundatioi o heGosS 
 \Vlien the clear day of Christian wisdom am ,fm 
 Pl.eity was on its decline, and the shades o?..noiC; ■ 
 began to come over the land, as the pure li ' 1 ?of trmh 
 no longer enlivened and invigorated the mftui it soon 
 became cramped, and benumbed in its Sk^ The 
 energy ,t retained, was employed in wrest ii'"tt„„rd" 
 
 Jn^umption of rn^nZ A.y.u I"' "»"="'"'« "orK of the 
 
 S^K,tStre ct rdi'o,' r'''"^ 1'"^"'"''^) 
 -intained to ^o J!:^^ ^^^^"^ 
 
 I ll 
 
56 
 
 fexertions were made in its defence; strong ramparta 
 ■were raised to cover it; many outworks were thrown 
 up to keep off its adverearies and annoy the assailants. 
 The thunder was constantly rumbling from the Vati- 
 can to terrify the timorous; to damp the courage of 
 the bold, and awe the presumptuous multitude into 
 subjection. Buf, when the trumpets of true Religion* 
 of sound reason and learning resolutely blew, Iier 
 strongest bulwarks fell level to the ground at their 
 blast, and her doctjines were laid open to the inves- 
 tigation and discussion of enlightened and rational re- 
 formers. Abuses and corruptions had been heaping 
 up forages, and were accumulated to such a degree, 
 as almost to J^e the first principles of reason and Re- 
 ligion, wljenjt pleased the Almighty to raise up men 
 to awake theVorld from its profound sleep in igno- 
 rance and superstition to a sense of the true know- 
 ledge of the Lord. A zeal for truth was kindled, and 
 ' error was soon discredited. The light of reason and 
 Scripture was displayed, the deformity of error was 
 exposed, and superstition put to the blush. By con- 
 sulting the original charter of Christianity, the pure 
 doctrine of the Gospel was ascertained and resolutely 
 rescued from the corruptions and eiTors which time 
 and ignorance had mingled with it. 
 
 The Church of Rome employed her whole skill and 
 ingenuity in defending the old systeiii. All true prin- 
 ciples are abused and strained, to support the doctrines 
 time had introduced, and firmly established. Having 
 been long in the habit of dictating to the world, and 
 being accustomed to have implicit deference paid to 
 her decisions, she could allow no contradiction. It 
 Was unpardonable boldness and impious temerity to 
 dare question what was taught in religious, matters, 
 and conde mn th e public practices of the Church con-' 
 secrated by long custom . A claim of infallibih'ty wag 
 urged against whatever the reformers could advance. 
 Under the wings of this overawing prerogative, the 
 
27 
 
 Roinan Religion took shelter, and called upoii man^ 
 kind to bo'.v down before it. But this claim rests oil 
 foundations that crumble away on a rational discus- 
 sion and the fabric raised upon it falls in ruins. It 
 must surely be allowed, that in this instance at least 
 there can be no other ^irbiters between the dissenting 
 parties than the good sense, the natural reason of man- 
 kind, and the evidence of the word of God. Jud^. 
 ment will be passed on the incredulous, not because 
 they refuse to acquiesce in the arbitrary decisions of 
 men, but because they prefer darkness to li^rhf be- 
 cause they will not pay homage to the bright Evidence 
 of .truth that strongly shine^ upon them; this in th^ 
 condemnation, that light is come into the uor^ld, and men 
 loved darkness rather than light] No regard whatever 
 can be paid to the claim of infallibilitv'^till the erant 
 be proved by clear, precise, pointed and incontestable 
 arguments. Let the proofs then be exhibited, and 
 the point put at issue. — ) 
 
 Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will Imild mu 
 Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. 
 -—(Matthew 10— 1 9.) ^ "^ 
 
 All power is given unto me in Heaven and Earth. Go 
 tje therejore, and teach alt nations, baptizing them in the 
 name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 7/o/y 
 ^host : teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I 
 have commanded mu: and lo, I am with you alwmi, even 
 unto the end of the world.~(Mmthew 2S~IS, I9 oq) 
 The Church of the living God, the pillar and ground k 
 thetruth.~(lTim.3~l5.) r. 
 
 On these passages of Scripture the Church of Rome 
 grounds her pretensions to infallibility. But when 
 perused with a candid and unbiassed mind* they b\r 
 no means suggest the idea that. an infallible authoritvr 
 Z^aHJ^n^ ^^.^^^ exterior Ministry of the Church, ta 
 fiecure^thcm^om^emji^iirgrvnigdectsio^^^^ 
 points in matters of Religion. Whether the above ci- 
 ted words hm the seiise the Romim Church foMly 
 
 tif 
 
 ! 1,1.^11 • 
 
28 
 
 imagines she perceives in them, sound criticism alone 
 
 them rinr^-r "'"'' ""'"'"^^'^ '" •^"PO'-nding 
 them, the aut ority m question cannot be exerted 
 
 ihemeanuigo the passages befi.reus, as they are the 
 grounds on which tlic title to inndlibility is founded 
 mmt be ascertained independently of the authoritvr t 
 IS fresiimed they establish. In this preliminary p^ , t 
 the au hority of either party must bi supei^eded; and 
 .the debate can only be determined b} the gl^^e of 
 evidence. Were infallibility a^ured to the Clfureh of 
 ijome by the above produced passages, the firet idea 
 tha would present itself, on perusing them.woul 1 be 
 to the purpose; evidence would flash froii them to 
 satisfy the mmd of their import, for there can be no 
 other way of commg to the truth on the point, limn 
 the clear and unequivocal word of God 
 
 By adverting to the tenor of the Gospel, we shall 
 readily perceive the spirjt of the letter. ' JesuTasked 
 h.s diseip es, whom ff.ey said he was. Simon Peter 
 
 trorf. 1 his declaration Jesus approves of .as the onlt 
 
 one agreeable to truth. Many had been ofttnded a{ 
 
 feted"™ The""" nl '" ."'"^hChrist had been mani: 
 
 tf.t M ^ °''''"-'' '"'"''•'•' J**' ^'"i i'nagined that 
 
 the Messiah was to come in all the pomp of power 
 
 and Majesty; that his Kingdom was to be o^tWs 
 
 Wnf.*r. '''"'" *f temporal glory of his people IsmH 
 
 but all their earthly prejudices were thwarted; thei^ 
 
 fond expectations of a Mighty Deliverer were dirn 
 
 pomted; the Messiah appeared in a lowly condS 
 
 tiiat was a stone of stumbling to many;"' but happy 
 
 wer^ they who were not offended in him, 'who weS 
 
 blinded by earthly prejudices, but saw, bein.. e„S- 
 
 ened by the Father, that Christ , howeveUowf^; 
 
 might appear, was truly the Son of tie Livina God 
 
 1 his faith was the rock of salvation ; on it, as oS a so ' 
 
 hd foundation, the p^^^^^^^ 
 
 l^eterby behevttg in his heart, and confessing t^i 
 
29 
 
 arose to stand finn Ts I ,™ t a^T" '^ P'^'^'^'^""'"' 
 world; and,hyholdinfffa,Ml,Ar •'""''''''""« the 
 and pre«chi„g the evS^^^ "f'"' faitl,, 
 
 tl.e hands of God Is a ft n^ r'^P'^'' '"^ '"""'<' ''e in 
 
 workere togethe. with Go ? '^1 '. ''''/'''"^'' = '''"y. as 
 of an Hol/TemX n whi;.!''''' *'> '^^ foundation 
 offered "l^acccn able tnr, 'P'."""""' sacrifices are 
 the tbundluiorof e L^,sM ^^ •'^.l^M^'- Upon 
 Christ himself being LeCfVo,.'"'' ^'l'''"•'' J^^"' 
 house is built by tlfe effbc ^ 7' """"' " ^•Piritual 
 Ood; in this, a„^d"te"nl ''''''','« "''"'« g'aee of 
 
 Most IJigh dwellel^^^ :„d7e^;nte r'''' 'l^''' ""= 
 spirit and truth. The GosnelTf '\":<"-shipped i„ 
 tothem whichwere afor ,S' a .j ^ ''^'i"''- ^'"S P'eaehc.I 
 
 a chosen generation is feme , fa" the" «'*' "'"'•-• "'«'"• 
 Divine Spirit, to shew forth if/ ' • '"'^"ence of t],c 
 
 hatli called them outofSnessE'-^'' '"'" ^'''^ 
 light; upon the foundation ot^A/lwl". "'""'^"""S' 
 pie of God collect anTaT/»,;//1 '" S''"'^' "'^ Peo- 
 
 shall never be shaken or S.„ '" ,' *^'nP'"^ "f'God 
 h.s word, that the cLX 1^^ >= 'f '"' P'edsed 
 on feith in Christ, wh "h was estal r h"" "" '^ '•'"^t. 
 by the ministry of Peter and tte." "" ""^ ''arth 
 stod fast to the end oftne''^ 'The'^P'",''?' ^''''» 
 of the powers of darknes/sh ji }\ . """<-"'' ^florts 
 this rock outof its nlal 1 ""' ""^ "'''*= '" '^"'ove 
 enemies will in t»fei„ iL7f ^'"'T ■•"«'= "'''« 
 Temple raised upon U m,V f i '''■".* 'f> ""d the 
 tempts to destro;'?t:"Sr" */ *""' ^^'^W" «t. 
 
 ^7thepowerandgraceofGod'^W„iU„,,^^ 
 
.30 
 
 be true believers op tlio earth ; men who will confes;?, 
 from faith unfeigned, that Christ is the Son of the Li*- 
 ving^God, and who will adore the eternal Fathqr in 
 spirit and truth through the Mediator that is given. 
 The Lord according to his unsearchable mercies, will 
 gather from the whole human race a chosen band ; he 
 will purity to himself from among thousands that are 
 polluted and sit in darkness a great multitude of all 
 nations, and kindreds, and people, an4 tongues. These, 
 cleansed from iniquity thrcmgh the blood of the ever- 
 lasting covenant, and clothed with the righteousness 
 of faith, constitute successively, while sojourning in 
 the land of tribulation, the Church of God. 
 
 Itishot with any particulardescription of persons, nor 
 with any body of men, that the covenant of grace is made. 
 The Son of God has declared that whosoever, without 
 distinction of Jew or Gentile, belicveth inhinl shall noi 
 perish, but have etermllij'c. — (John 3 — lo.) Tkejoy- 
 ful sound is gone out into all the earth, and througli 
 all generations those who are ofTiod will hear and be- 
 lieve the Gospel. The earth, titLjtjJjass away, will 
 ifever cease to present before the mercy seat of God 
 suppliant children of wrath, imploring mercy through 
 the merits of the Lamb, that standeih before the throne, 
 as mediator between the eternal Father and the guilty 
 children of Adam. Errors and corniptions may per- 
 vade vast tracts of the earth; the abomination of de- 
 
 " solation may \)e set up in places that were once holy ; 
 but the faith of Christ by the tutelary providence of 
 the Almighty will be preserved in chosen vessels on 
 the earth, the deluge of wickedness and vice ; the 
 rage of impiety and iniquity, shall not be able to stifle 
 the knowledge of God, and of his Christ;, many waters 
 cannot quench it, nor all the floods of errof drown it. 
 Particular Churches of exterior professors of the Gos- 
 
 "^Tpdi may decay and wither away; the mysticalcandk^ . 
 stick may be removed from one place to another, buE 
 the faith of Ctet will never be extinguished— Will 
 
'> 
 
 31 
 
 God's saving truth be ever eclipsed to all the inhabi- 
 tants of the earth ? It will shine bright amidst almost 
 universal darkn^'ss to the ejes of God's elect; they will 
 clearly sec \vhat>^e world is blind to. Though floods of 
 ungodly men oveiilowed the earth, so that it might 
 appear that there was no faith to be found among 
 men, still Ciod would have his called, his chosen, and 
 faithful. Should the times even of which Elias com- 
 plains, return again, and one were to bewail with the 
 Prophet, that the servants of the ]Most High wert^ all 
 killed to one ; that the impious had digged down tha 
 altars of the Lord, and destroyed his worship ; yet we 
 liiight reply with the spirit of truth, that though it 
 seemed to the eyes of mortals that there v/as only one 
 Prophet left, yet that God, to whom the hidden thia^ 
 of the earth are disclosed, had reserved to himself sere;i 
 thousand men who had not bowed the knee to the image 
 of Baal. In the worst of times there is a remnant ac- 
 cording to the election of grace. Though it should ap- 
 pear that an universal abandonment of principle pre- 
 vailed, and that the eyes of mankind were blinded not 
 to see the truth nor discern wisdom, the chosen part 
 would obtain the . gift of faith ; God would put tho 
 I knowledge and love of Christ in tht? hearts of his elect, 
 ajid preserve them from the general corruption to per- 
 petuate the Church of true believers. The children of 
 light, begotten of God, will not follow the multitudo 
 of evil doers that forsake the Almighty ; strcngtln 
 ened with might by his spirit in the inner man, they 
 will be able to stand against tiie wiles of the Devil ; 
 deceitful allurements will in vain be displayed to en- 
 tice them to quit the rock of refuge, which, is Christ ; 
 i Satan will bebaffled in his endeavours to deceive tliem; 
 I strong in the Lord and in the power of his mighty thoj 
 ^ ^ill stand firmy and keep tbemselves pure. ThjsJt^tlMr 
 
 1 Church we rouflt be members ot^ in order to escape the 
 wrath; to' coine; there i« no salvatioa out of it, and 
 tills Chucck is the pillar and ground of thetmthi 
 
 1-1 
 
 4' _ 
 PI 
 
 
■it* 
 
 ':■ 
 
 vr 
 
 32 
 St Paul, in his first Epistle to Timothy, teacheth 
 
 Church of the Living God, the pillar and ground ofthh 
 
 trutL An unbiassed reader cannot fail rLarkin^^c^ 
 
 eading this passage, that it is not tl»e exterior m?nis- 
 
 d'^ff.r. . ? •^•''^P^'l.''? """"^ governors of the several 
 different divisions of that multitude of men who pro- 
 fess the Christian faith, and enjoy the common means 
 
 tl'^'T^T^lf ^T^^^'"^^^"'^ ^*^"^dthe pillars of 
 the tauth but Uie Church of God, those who are callTd 
 to be^amts. Those who believe the Gospel of Christ, 
 and hoM the mystery of faith in a pure conscience 
 ofVh^f ^r ^ "n '^^^ LivingGod, the p^illar and gTunJ 
 ot the truth, will maintain and support it agamst all 
 the efforts oferror and impiety to destroy it? Beincr 
 renewed m knowledge, and created in Chiist Jesul 
 unto good works, they judge not of things by the de- 
 ceitful principles of the wisdom of this wSrld ; neither 
 do^they walk m the vanity of their mind according to 
 th^ coui-se of the chddren of disobedience, but their 
 ju^gmwits are directed by the suggestions and dic- 
 tates of the spirit of truth that dwelfeth in them, and 
 they vvalk m newness of hfe. These holy men keep 
 the truth, and are the depositaries of sound doctrine • 
 they may for awhile be obhged to have their faith to 
 themselves before God, as nations may be so far de- 
 generated as to turn away their ears from the truth 
 but when the times of refreshing come, the men of 
 Ood who lay m obscurity unheeded, raise their voice 
 and preach to eager ears the Words of truth and life * 
 1 he features of the Church in which the Apostle 
 Paul instructed his beloved Son in the faith how to be- 
 have, are so strongly marked in the Epistle, the same 
 Apostle addressed to the Ephesians, among whom he 
 besought Timothy to abide, to teach sound doctrine 
 th^a p^M^y^an^^ ^^ ^^ 
 
 of the truth. Indeed St. Paul in, the several Epistles 
 to the particular Churches he ha4 occasion to wiit^ 
 
 \ 
 
33 . 
 
 io, clearly intimates the Churcli of the tivin* Gad £o 
 
 be no other, than the company of all thol~^M 
 
 hat ,n every place call upon the name of JeZ E ? 
 
 that are sanctified m Chrht Jesus, called toTe SaZl- 
 
 acoordtng as God hath, chosen them in Christ lefyletM 
 
 foundation of the vt'orld, that they should be hM^aZj^ 
 
 out blame before him in love ; having predestSThe^ 
 
 aZdt:tT '^ff'-'" 'y/^'' Christ totl^P, 
 according to the good pleasure of his wilL to the m-ai«. of 
 the glory of his gr«ce.-{Eph: This cS S 
 
 ri^h f.,^*''*' '"'•g'"™Ms of sins, according to the 
 nches of the grace of God ; of the perpetnaK„ce 
 and assistance of the holy spirit; of tl^e tfatef nfH»H 
 never prevajling against it; of it; tt„.XTo/er"l« 
 and dea h, and nhcriting eternal life ; a,fd thl Church 
 
 he Li?ii» r "h ^''''""'' "'■ "'^ '™"'- The ChuS. of 
 the Ijiving God consists not of those, who tnerejy nro^ 
 
 fess the Gospel with their lips, though they ^ffi 
 
 Lord, yet he W, them not. The body of Chrbt is 
 
 composed of those who believe with the hewt anJ 
 
 Z S™l:^'lhe- Y'-r^ of promt,' wW;=ht 
 be inJ^fti? • ^ "u?''^"'^"^^= ^^"'^ membe.^ can 
 t)e ingrafted mto this mystical bodv, thev must C 
 
 it wS t^l iirr "'"' "'^ ^^^^^'^ -"' S 
 
 6»rA^5* . ?'"?'' "'"yi"-**"" ""to hhnself agldri 
 ^Ckurch,nothav,ngspot,0rwriMe, Oram, sick thins 
 
 Vtae hid ttf r^^\ "'^ '^"*»'" '>'''"''''■ The df: 
 
 ti«r«nJfl^ iP'"'"4'''^'"S»' «"d gives unto it 
 the spint of wisdom and revelation, that it may know 
 
 rtdj^ve what i, acceptable unt^ the ffl Tte 
 
 edification of the body of Christ demands no othe? 
 
 Wtedge than th»t of the truth a* U is L Je^rmS 
 
 ^-^^^e*^ P^'«« ef t&37f- 
 
 we«ystenM«f God preach the word of laith, God 
 
 ^ 
 
 :r,vi 
 'k 
 
 '$». .., 
 
 ■I 
 I 
 
34 
 
 i 
 causeth light to shine in the hearts of those that hear; 
 the eyes of their underetanding being enh^htened, 
 they are ablfe to discern the love of Christ, and are led 
 to acl^nowlcdge the truth, which is after godliness. 
 Whde the tender mercy fof G<id is displayed by 
 the ministers of Christ, the spirit breatheth into the 
 
 \ heafts of as many as are ordained to eternal life, the 
 
 \ breath of a new life. 
 
 . \/i^^i^ Chfirch of the Living God is only visible to 
 ^im, fiom whom nothing can be concealed, and to 
 Y^® eye nothing can be disguised. The holy tem- 
 ple ^at faith raises .Jo the Lord, is concealed from the 
 emH mortals ; God only knows his own, as he only 
 knlt)weth the hearts of mdn; he^ looks down from the 
 Heiavens, and beholds his elect singing and making me- 
 lody\m their heart to the Lord] giving thanks always for 
 all things unto God\^d the Father, in the nam^ of our 
 Urd ifesus Christ. . The Apostle Paul in writins to 
 y the several particular Churches, favorabfy presumes 
 * . J.hat a 1 thar constituent members were Saints, and 
 taithful m Christ Jesus; that they had tasted the good 
 ^;ord of God; had hea«d Chris^t; had been taught by 
 him, as the truth is in Jesus; and that they were truly 
 born of God. As sirch, they belonged to the House of 
 Ood, which is the Church of the Living God, the pillar 
 and ground of the truth. I'he grounds of this favoura- 
 able presumpJkJS were the work of faith, the labour of 
 love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesui Christ, which 
 were so conspicuous in the primitive Churches. These 
 evidences of sincere faith warranted the-AptJstle to 
 think that all that called upon the name of Jesus 
 Uinst, were iiAed the bod^ of Christ, and members (me 
 of another. Stifl the individuals themselves roust ex- 
 amine whether they be in the faith; they cati only 
 have ccHifidenee toward God, if their heart bear thero 
 ^itness^ t ha t^fait h^wfaicfa^woffceth by-^ W V^^^ ^ 
 added them to the true Church of God. How for 
 the properties, t|fle Apgstte attributes to the Church of 
 
 ^#^' 
 
f 
 
 the Living God may be w,H, strict propriety aoolierf 
 
 to the vsible a„.rch. to the wi.ole soc 2 ot' men 
 
 that «re bapUzed into om body, and are „I Zd^Tn 
 
 ^nnlcnto one spirit, the evidences itexhibU,Tf trA 
 
 chpstmnp.ety canalonedetemmie. A v H eCwf 
 
 ...ust be, mdced, constituted; this, tho„» it should 
 
 not resemble .n every tmit of its counS^iance t| e 
 
 Church of the L.ving God, as it is portrayed bv he 
 
 mspired wnters: still it,<:«,,tains Vithin itfDal^.l.^f 
 
 spmtual house that is hol^o .he iZl '^ "'"' 
 
 Ihe divme Author ol' the Cliristian faith <rave a 
 
 commission to his Apostles to constitute &e 
 
 Church. llel';nKscirgavethcdrauglitofit;henon,ed 
 out the grounds ou which it was to be rased TdT 
 rccted what materials it should be buih ^- .',„i , 
 poiuh^d rit^ and ceremonies to bL ai dlme„t 'u 
 together, ll.e ApostN, faithful to tlicii cha" e ' 
 forth preaching Christ crucified for the lemsln ?^- 
 sins, both unto Jews andCientilcs faml as manors re 
 2>ye then- words are baptized in t!ie name ^fhe Fa- 
 ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy G host and ait 
 enjoined to observe whatever Christ had commanded 
 Wherevm- disc.pk-s were made to the com ", feiH7 
 
 order. Thdte Churches, thus Veg faX^on S" 
 mvvhidi the. word of o'od is prelehed^ and L'^f ' 
 ored ordinances are celebrated, supply inembete to 
 the mystical body of Christ; fro^ tlmm tKe ^• 
 Stones are collected, with which tl.e sniritnal h J. ^ 
 bult As the kingdom of Christ wi'Sl'^.^^* 
 but was only to be established in the hearts of men 
 no qther powers were given to the Church S 
 ^Jl^tu "pessary for^edification. Thf ato^tg 
 t^te*m the ApostTes, and to be bythenrtranS^ 
 to the,r. successon, ^as entirely d4ngag5SS:~ 
 
 "s. 
 
 ''V ■ 
 
 
 
>" 
 
 ^ connexion with worldly interests; it wos^conffi[ to 
 the preaching of the Gospeli to the setting forth of 
 the truth, which is after godliness; to the ndministra- 
 ^ tion of the ordinances Christ had instituted, and to 
 the inspection of the assemblies of Christians, that all 
 thmgs inight be done decently and in order. The au- 
 thority given was commensurate to the object to bq 
 attained; the purpose of the Christian dispensation 
 being to gather from among them that dwell on the 
 earth a peculiar people; that, as a building fitly fra- 
 med together, might grow unto an hply temple in the 
 X.ord; no power could t)e supposed to be conferred, , 
 but what wisdom saw to be necessary to the buildin^' 
 pt that holy temple. . ° 
 
 No pre-eminence of one Chirrch over another, was 
 requisite for this purpose; the several Churches beinc 
 regularly constituted, were possesed of all the meant 
 that could conduce to, their sanctification ; and to bind 
 them together into one body in Christ, nothing more 
 could be necessary than the influence of a common 
 Jaith, and charity. The Apostles, entirely indepen- 
 dent one of another, received authority from Christ 
 himself to make disciples among all nations; Yeneiit 
 111 zeal to discharge their high commission, they di£ 
 perse into different regions, each, one bearing with 
 ^im full powers for the accomplishment of the object 
 intended to be attained by their ministiy. No other 
 xeJatjon subsisted between them, as stewards of tho 
 mysteries of God, than that of brethren and fellow- 
 servants under one master, even Christ. To liim tliey 
 were solicitous to approve themselves; and tohm 
 they looked for aid in the arduous task they were en- 
 gaged in. As they were sent forth as sheep in thq 
 midst of wolves, an e^)ecial providence watched over 
 tJiem; Cbnst was with them in all tbrir labours ani- 
 mating their zeal, giving efficacy to then- woi^s, and 
 l^*^^g their doctrinesjgitLsigm fcllcywing. 1^ 
 promise made by Christ to be with his Apostiei to tk^ 
 
end of the mid, n-rrnrnts- their »uooes,n- •♦„ - . 
 the assistance of tlie Iu.lv «„ '"<^Pessoi» to expect 
 fccdin.. lUeClmr,. Y ^"'^ '" «'»',.,ning and 
 
 in love, ff Hi ' n^h: ^"'^ '"TT "'"1 be ed.ficd 
 to preach tl I^G s "^ t .f' "^"' ""'' '"'*' "'" ''"''''' 
 from whk ; min emn, fl? •'^ '^'^'""'^' "■*"« "'« ^eeJ 
 represented he c ildren ^f ^ 71 ^ ^'"^"^ ' »'«'/ 
 i" all future a^es and reteK- 1 *"" '■''""''' ^ •""■» 
 «hcesi„(avoufofthe.nXi f";?""'*^ ^'"^ »»*"- 
 
 \ l>yail I lor these ninnp L,.t r ''""^"^^oria. IS either 
 
 foundation of tie ,ltc^i"l "'T ''"'" "'""' "«" 
 .nee the preset ^^^^ tt""' "''" '^^'^'^"^ 
 
 Pnt with the enlar,.ed vie«s o • r 'r 'i " '^""'*"''- 
 tl.erefore.without rishnCTs „,«,,„. ,? . 'f = '"^ "^''J' 
 
 't^ Apostles. BnS^^J. . Iw should be inlailiM© 
 
 ^■/;•■ 
 
 
■■■! .' 
 
 "i 
 
 ir 
 
 riT-r 
 
 / 
 
 58 
 
 Churches, to take heed unto themselves, and unto the 
 doctrine they had Jearned. An unerrini? spirit, in- 
 deed suggested to the Apostles what thev were to 
 speak; Christ had promised that the IjJly Ghost 
 should teach them all things, and bring all thinos to 
 their remembrance, whatsoever he had said "Imto 
 them, (John 14-26'.) that no spiritual word might be 
 lost. While they were present with the Church, no 
 other rule of faith could reasonably be required, than 
 their voice delivering the truths they had heard; suf- 
 ficient evidence had been given, that tliey were mes- 
 sengei-s sent by God to teach a doctrine the world was 
 yet Ignorant of; their word therefore challenged ac- 
 quiescence, and credit was justly due to it. But the 
 holy men of God knowing, that after they should put 
 off ther earthly tabeniacle, heresies would spring up 
 among Christians, endeavomed/thiit those they left on 
 the earth, might 7»'q able after their deceaseio have the 
 Uimgsthey had taught in reni^mbrance.-(2d Epistle 
 reter 1—1^.) 1 o this purpfc, the wisdom^ wliereb v 
 men are made wise unto salvation, was committed 
 to writing, that authentic documents might be trans- 
 mitted to the latest posterity of what Chiist Jesus had 
 taught, and required to be believed, tlie men that 
 were chosen to spread the Gospel through the earth, 
 were under the immediate direction of the Spirit of 
 truth; as the Church was to be built on !the founda. 
 tion of the Apostles, they were secured from all delu- 
 sion of error, that the doctrine of Christ might be de^ 
 hvered pure; their understanding was opened, that 
 **^7 ??l?*^*^^'*^®rstand the mysteries of redemption, 
 ^nd diffuse a correct knowledge of them among all 
 pations. But when all the trufis of the Gospel were 
 fully and clearly set forth, and recorded in writinff ; it 
 pould be no longer necessary that the Divine Spirit 
 .8hQuld,^^in an extraordmary manner, influence anddi^ 
 ^ - "••** "u««*u =«iuttu i« pr^ieF¥e It tronj error; the 
 
 l! 
 
 j- "- --- r — ~~ 'p-' p.v^.Tc IV nxmr error; ine 
 
 Pfdii^iy infli^enc^ of the Spirit of God, by ^hich 
 
 
39 
 , which we are sanctifiprl k -.o if • i^' "in, tn rough 
 
 stmked the Churchesr their zl^ Vound« ' in '^ T 
 words of truth and Ufn- nr^A 4U """"aecijUi ail the 
 
 Pistles and writing 'Phn^., presented by their E- 
 
 admit the conceits and devic;sTfm^t»' ^^^^^ '" 
 velation* of Heaven; and he traSklnr/""" "'^ '^- 
 engage the at,«tio„: that stuW olbe leTLTh" 
 taw and the Proohets Wifl,„ .» -^ ^^ *" *" "x* 
 invariable standaXrheD.,i;rrl? 1^,™'?''^''*. and 
 
 ver be ascertaineS? and'^^shouTd?. f '"' '^""''' '^ 
 about btiafrin^iLL °1.!1°.?''°"''' fa« ""-"ve^ towed 
 
 »hni.» . r , •■r"^"' ""o we Should be forever tMwH 
 
 t 
 
 
S / 
 
 
 .40 
 
 would most assuredly be soon so blen,ied and miV 
 ed with heterogeneous principles, that all attempt to 
 discnminate would be baffleH. But, bv thei^bd.^ 
 kept separate from the words of fallible men, anS 
 pressed on monuments that devouring time cannot 
 destroy, we have a means afforded by which dhhte 
 truth, may readily be discerned from the vain thouS 
 and imaginations of men. *=* 
 
 The goodness of God, that was concerned that the 
 words of eternal life should not vanish away but 
 should be made known to the remotest ages, was not 
 satisfied with writing them in the minds of the Apos- 
 tles and first beli^v ers ; but caused a record of ttem 
 ^«rt !u' ^"^ ^5 an exterior light, ever shining in 
 
 It nX^n H-'^" of conveying truth to generatfons 
 yet unborn divine wisdom doubtless saw to be the 
 safest, and least liable to be corrupted. In the present 
 state of human affairs, no rational mmd can rely with 
 implicit confidence on oral tradition for doctrines 
 
 n.r!.^^'^ '1^?^^"^ '^ ^"^'^"^ days; ignorance will 
 pervert, an^depravity corrupt the purest doctrine; 
 without original documents, what belongs toour peace 
 would be so confounded with the thoughts of men. 
 and lost m a chaos of human prejudices, that we 
 could never be assured of revealed truths; whatever 
 pretensions those that taught them for such, might ad- 
 vance to mfalhbility, doubts would certainly be en- 
 
 ?^'?1ru?'' their purity; and so long as the pretend- 
 ed mfaUible teachers exhibited no evidence of the pre- 
 sence of God among them, nay, shewed themselves 
 to be actuated by the same principles and passions, 
 that have mfluenced mortals at all times, we mieht 
 with reason suspect, that they were not in their primi- 
 tive integnty. , - r " ^^ 
 
 The sacM volume has b^n preservi^ by the mhi* 
 
 ^ eare^oTl^vickmce, amidst the csJHStant^teijM 
 and revolutions of human affairs. In vain did the Hea- 
 thens eadeavour to destroy the feeordi of God's me*. 
 
 ,.fiiK^*V-v;^ 
 
 i^i',>loj( i'»' Us;* 
 
41 
 
 <- 
 
 ties; tlie>' never could west from the hands of thfi 
 n.en of God the precious deeds of their redemption*/ 
 tfiey were well secured, and have remained SJ 
 mong men to perpetuate the pure faith of Sst 
 
 \>.thout the plain and clear wo,^l of God, erLmSht 
 prevail forever; but so long as this eiterior^.fht 
 B preservwl on the earth, though men may fJr awWIe 
 be bhnded euher by ignomnce%r infidelity, error wTll 
 sooner or later be <letected, and truth shhieWh Jo 
 scatter and dissipate ail delusion. In proportion ^ 
 «.em,nd,s refined from the mean ideas rndffipri^ 
 c pies of the world it will see the light that beamsfram 
 thescriptu.-^, and will discern the*^wisdom tS e™^ 
 nates, from them. The spiritual mind, by Sn^th; 
 
 rt -T"^ T'" l'^'-'^""'' the tl ings'llmt K 
 
 ]^ A f ^'"'' T'* ^^"' "««'" tl.e knoJed;^ of 
 truth; It wdl pierce through the surface of words ani 
 grasp the latent enlightening spirit. A pure MucncS 
 rtows through the sacred scriptures from Sie bS 
 nm of the everlasting light, which enteringTnto hoir 
 souls maketh them friends ofGod, and Prof he" S 
 spiritual men of every age, and of every Zmate tm 
 drover through the veil of words, the deep tbinkTie 
 Sp nt of God has revealed: they will dmw from tte 
 etter the pure spirit of truth, and they will ^eTarate 
 the spiritual e^ence from all earthly alloy, 3 iS 
 ttlwh"'" f« ' ^^ "" '^'^a-'-es* of undentan'dir th^ 
 the father of Spirits imparts to them, toascertainfwith- • 
 out any need of an infallible interpreter among men 
 the true sense and import ofwoAls. It is fron, the 
 great source of wisdom we are to implore unSlnd! 
 
 TZw'f '°,'"*"S"'«n "U-- 'acuities, and the* we may 
 apply to tiie sacred repository of Heavenly wisdom 
 and we shall discern the truth, though it be sSrn 
 ajajrstery, and 4^ aad*4igbt«le W.P°i^^ 
 I'uman soul, when invigora^y the inrtBcnce ouZ 
 
 1,1 
 
 ■ --i/fm}^itttf . 
 
 !■■ 'ill 
 
"*. 
 
 i.fl'''' 
 
 i: :'.f 
 
 fevine Spirit may attain through the study of the 
 Scriptures, the knowledge of thi things that^pe tai^ 
 to hfe ancigodliness; it may easily leart the dSe 
 of salvation and understand upon wW terms kmay 
 
 InZ'n 4^ V ^^?.: ""^ ^^^P^ ^« '»»^^"^ eternal hfe"^ 
 wL*^ P^^'f'tive Church, no other criterion of divine 
 truths was admitted, than that of the Seriptures; these 
 were appealed to on all occasions to defermine what 
 doctrines were revealed, and what were not. Those 
 things which Without the authority and testimony of the 
 f^ppi^;e,men mvent of their own heads, as from Apos- 
 tohcal tradition, they are smitten with the sword of God 
 
 th!chL??r"^^^^^ ^^-^ Whereas thattradition] 
 
 Vhich wds found to be commanded in the Gospel, or con- 
 tamed in he Epistles, or Acts ofth^ Apostles, ia's oC 
 
 The first venerable Fathers and PastoVs of the Churc 
 had no claim to the- high privilege of infallibility ; they 
 S^Jr 7 other deference, than what the clear 
 word of God, and the excellence of divine wisdom 
 
 iZTat^"^' ^"^"^^?'' ^"^^"^' '^^y -^^«' ^»^>^e they 
 listened to no private mterpretatibn; butadhered with 
 pure zeal to the plain import of the Scriptures and 
 instructed their flock in the wisdom they derived from 
 f^.'''^;'^^J>fj;rophecy, Resting on the foundation 
 aiid pillar of Christian faith, they might defy all 
 humau wisdom to convict them of error; for what 
 ^L a' '' warranted by the word of infallible 
 tl^nl fi^°. '' ^"PPf'^f .^^. ^^'^ ""questionable evidence 
 «:!ur^L"^^^''^'^ Christiamty into the world, l^he 
 ^ithful Mmisters of Christ only proclaim what God' 
 ftas clearly Revealed ; what was preached by the Apos- 
 -ties, and^coftfirmed by incontestible miracles, that theyl 
 Hold forth and maintain for the truth. They call not 
 upon people to rely on their word, but to search the 
 
 ^^^^X ^^"f^*^* ^" ? P^^*^' of the sacred 
 jp!>Ijime,^hey would M conrroeed ttwT tfiinffswerei 
 jreaUy as th^y stated. ^ " ^ ^ I 
 
 concei 
 conflic 
 ried oi 
 and p< 
 ArittD' 
 of the 
 ;ject»t] 
 
 © 
 
43 ■ ;. 
 
 When any considerable difierence «?«ninion ob " 
 any particurar C burch, nor any assembly of men reaui 
 
 SSwtT If ''-i--. on'the gro^rof 
 tneir infall bil ty. It does not appear that tlTe ooinion 
 then prevailed that general Councils were endued «hh 
 an intalhble authority, without having the plaTnwo'd 
 of God to vouch for their doctrines. " The sober a°^ 
 candid Clmsfans, that were not under the hifluence 
 o party^zeal. abided indeed by the decisions S' 
 
 duousapj^alliToridto^tSpU^t^^^^^^^ 
 be agre,.able to the word «f God a^d truth ' ' ' 
 
 lem iheever f ?"' '^', '""^ " "'"'""=«»' """"ate, 
 iiiem, tlie ever active mmd cannot confine itself to H,» 
 
 toie^ti!:e's't?T"r'"/^'^''.^<'"' "'^t Sa 
 
 ^fjsrytrptsLt-r^^^^^^^^ 
 
 conceited with them. Th^ ftmd naiSf; ^r ^™? 
 conceits will allow no contradic.Ke^cfa'^^eve e 
 conflietensu^, a„d a fierce war of opinions iscr 
 ned on, which often proves fatal to sShaiinin^" 
 «md public tranquUity. Jn the fourth^K T 
 
 of the Empire was long disturbed by disnutes^^t^r 
 
 <^ 
 
 ' I 
 
 
 !• 1 
 
 f- 
 
44 
 
 I 
 
 IM 
 
 » 
 
 , I' 
 
 .'I 
 
 
 / 
 
 ing. It was necessary to seek a remedy ; to endea- 
 vour to allay the heat of dispute; to softeb Exaspe- 
 rated minds, and reconcile them all in the same be- 
 Jief. A general Council was coiivened by the Empe- 
 ror Constantme at Nice. Bish&ps assembled from all 
 parts to effect a recojiciliatjbn, to restore harmony 
 and tranquillity, if possible, to theChurt-h. Delibem- 
 tions were opened on the point in dispute, and deci- 
 sions pronounced according to the evidence of the 
 clear word of God, It were happy for mankind, had 
 they the virtue and moderation to abide by tlie deci. 
 sions of calm and candid discussion; but the Arian 
 heresy was nothusljed by the voice of authority, ren- 
 dered respectable by the concujTence of the plain word 
 ^iS^.' y"'^}" the testimony of the chief propasatoi-s 
 of thristiamty m the world. Its partisans tenacious- 
 Jy adhered to their opinion, and maintained the dis, 
 pute with more eagerness than before. Durin<r the 
 whole of this fierce contest, we do not find.thatthe 
 claim to infalhbihty was advanced by either party 
 and surely, had it been a doctrine received from t4* 
 Apostles as an article of Christian faith, it would have 
 been brought forward on this occasion, and pressed to 
 great advantage. The abettors of the doctrines of 
 the fii-st oecumenical Councils would hj^ve called up- 
 on their adversaries to respect the prerogative; and a 
 more general acquiescence in their decisions misht 
 reasonably be expected, than what history informs us 
 was in trMth yielded, Jiad raen^s minds been impressed 
 with an Idea of the hi|hi3rivil^e confened on general 
 Counpils. The mfallTbihty of the Church woufd have 
 been in every one's lips; and would have been urged 
 agamst whatever might be objected. Yet this was not 
 the case,. and no other method was pursued in ma- 
 naging the controversy, than toestablish'the Christian 
 doctrines bjr t^ Script ures, and the %^ithoritY of men 
 
 "^l"T i^u*'''/^f *7 ^""^ ^"*°^«t '^ Christlan'wiidoS 
 ^ho had handed dowii, in an unpolluted tiaditipq. the 
 
45 
 
 .doctrine of the Apostles. If this mnHp „f^ 
 
 was inadequate to make n.en of one m?n/"'''^ u'"« 
 
 imnimity be exnectcH hiH VL r ",• *^°"''^ "" 
 
 decide thepj-^ritlste by tiSsW ?"-"!r'"^'' '" 
 ranted assereions ? No indeed fK? ^"'' """'»'•- 
 r4therhave spread wider an,?«,.^ *^'':?'^'^"Slon wpuH 
 
 Unauthoritative wTrd of m^^^^^^ 
 
 mind, nor command a sir 'ir^'",'-""".^°"'''"<^« the 
 
 and candid enquires after tn.hli^ dispassionate 
 
 insinuations ofVlov^X h dr I 'r^ to"thl"''' "^° 
 tions of prgndice. and listoi wTth t4c^S^^«?Ses, 
 
 Zhese modest Christians shun the no s^and h.. i"'"; 
 wranghng; they leave the craivdhlf;, ",•""!"''»? 
 darkness, and respectfully enter the sin^,''"""^''' 
 
 » '"'emn silence ^prevails! and 1^3^^"^'^'' '"'f" 
 i>s they proceed from reason «„?l « • . "'^" °'^<='es 
 
 Sre the o'^ly infallible^ '^erap " St H. ''''"* 
 lead men to truth. ^Jwhtrevenbevtein. V? *" 
 purity and soundness of doctr inl »^lf •1*^^'' '"• 
 
 when the spirit of man ensa-^et „LT -.^1 v"''" ^ut 
 that is apt to be variousTS7^v'' flrr"''' ^ 
 ?tmy, a/id truth aduStenft'h hut '''';'' «^ 
 wdl be proposed to our belief/ One ~m;*"''? - 
 ■ serving, that the peculiar customs -.n^l '"'' ""^ 
 
 very age affect the form ofdoct„W S''"",f "^ 
 Phange. the features of thints chnnt j^ ^''^« 
 shades a«> thrown over objects, that^^' '"'',';?"""' ^ 
 judgments tq be formed. Eveivdrtir^ !t ''f'"*"^ 
 Pther grounds to stand o« t&uman?u« ^r^ ■"' "" 
 undergo many rari^tions and aZmr nfff ''^' """'^ 
 plexions according to th^ SlhTl ^^^'^"5 '=""'-• 
 , of each age tlirpu|h whkA&tS^ Ti^nT"^- "»''» ' 
 ^frthth^ peculi ar TOlQU^°n ^^r^j'^^HB^ 
 ^e fancy of each genemtioL C r^'ot a^dt''- '« ' 
 m m^ the whirl of human opS" SJ^Ig ; 
 
 \,.-A 
 
 it 
 
 
ml 
 
 ., ;, , 
 
 I, ■• 
 
 !!X 
 
 lllii'i 
 
 Variably the same; they exlibit things always in the 
 same shape, and wliatevei^; order of things p^ijfeils, 
 t\rhatever system of doctiind obtains, they still speak 
 the same language, that is icJard by those that Iiave 
 riars to hear. When we consider then the rapid sue- 
 cession of generations; th^ long series of ages from the 
 Apostles down to us; and the many vicissitudes of hu- 
 tnan affairs during that space of time, marked with 
 pecuhar features; it must appear morally impossible 
 that the Christian doctrine should be conveyed to us 
 |)ure and undefiled through any other channel than 
 that of the Scriptures, in the exposition of which rea- 
 aoft must be allowed a voice. 
 
 The word of God is indeed pledged to pei^etuate 
 o* fhe earth the faith of Christ, but not to remove all 
 dissentions among men. The visible Church of pro^ 
 fessors of Christianity is liable to all the vicissitudes of 
 'human affairs, and may assume various aspects, ac- 
 cording as the spirit and disposition of mankind va- 
 ries. A survey of Ecclesiastical history justifies the 
 assertion, that public Religion bears different complex- 
 ions at different times. On the great distinguishing 
 truths of the Gospfel dispensation, there may be indeed 
 but one sentiment; but, when men attempt to pry 
 into the mysteries of Heaven, they will differ in their 
 judgment, and conceive different ideas on them, ac- 
 cording as their intellectual faculties are more or less 
 Cffcurascribed. It is only by departing from the plain 
 doctrines and simple institutions of Christianity; and 
 following the dictates, either of science fakefy so called, 
 or of that peculiar share of knowledge which falls to 
 the lot of man under the several difterent degrees of 
 fnental improvement; that the exterior appearance of 
 the Christian Church has been variously checkered. 
 Where there are many things hard to be understood^ 
 JbjMnqui8itive'mind,4hat48^^¥e^ eag e r andi topatietBl^ 
 
 ^ know how things can Ac, will, it is natural to expect; 
 l^eled iqto It diversity of^ondusioiMi^ ai^ (Jivisioiii 
 
 tiiufc, ■*„ 
 
47 
 
 Y 
 
 *i!l not fail to tuke place UVr^ fl™ ■ . 
 
 alloH-ed „o Bieater ,Lrf^' J • "'^^ speculations 
 conjecture, Sn c afc f l™P«rta«ce than wh»t 
 
 modesty and mute fnd'I^^^.^t a^'u^^'fT'' "'^ 
 ■rnght differ in opinion on" oK tS^"'"^ T^ 
 <larkly; and yet 'the bond of Sand u^^.^" ^"^ 
 be presermi unhurt. The Cnkv Ir Ph *'.°^ ?■".' 
 nia^ be kept, were men liberTandlnJ^d t^ '^^'^ 
 d.ffemDce of «,utiment on sub ecte whk^h J „ ®- * 
 volved m deep obscurity, slioudexisfTh^^u"''"!: 
 obvious trutlis of the On^Jl .VT f Ibepbm and 
 
 ceivcd, should be heccmeroft. are univepaHy re- 
 should collectasan,fm^r° ;"'7=''?'""^*''esE,thcy 
 hopetob^SakeraofX.^"' feni.ly of brethren, ib^ 
 
 Wished bvaifficient and 1^1? ?' "'a^.'iaMot be csta- 
 
 be reekon^SSS t^ thlT'^'u"*^"' •'«'*''*" 
 men, to be assents? V„' ^ Y^ favourrtc opinionsof 
 
 .uaded in his r.^'^iS^d "buU, -f ""^^ "^^-"rPer- . 
 fection not to be looLed foHn tt ' e^e^^f [^^'^.r ' 
 inanity; nay, such is the narrownlfSl. '"'^''"r 
 when not enlarged bv n tl^.? jf ■ .''"'"^"soul, 
 
 «eaven,^ .vis<lof„wl7ch Ration t P^^ "i'^' 
 rendered generous bv t Le intence of r'"'"^' ""' 
 spirit of the Gospel, 'that adml -7 we genuine 
 
 Iherofmerom: that it would fain imposTaH iu /^^^ 
 tenets oa the Christian world tbr tiSi i'^ •""'' 
 that toust necessarily be believe! *^^ dpctrraes. 
 life. However indnsf^ir.?.! f^'"''""' '" mhent eternal 
 
 geniusof bigoli;tr4T. ^"il^TiS trcS 
 
 
 ^1 
 
 5f« 
 
 I 
 
 §.. 
 
 P 
 
 1* 
 
7 
 
 ( 
 
 I,. A 
 
 ' !f» i 
 
 4a 
 
 the bright splendour of one faith that shines on at?, 
 who come to the knowledge of the Son of God, the 
 Christian Church is spread from the rising of the Sun 
 to the going down thereof, and knows no other limits 
 than the boundaries of the earth. The chief shepherd 
 .of the Church casts an indulgent eye on the errors of 
 judgment the honest mind may be betrayed into for 
 want of a larger measure of knowledge; the peculia- 
 rities of different times and places fix not his attention; 
 favourite observances and ceremonies, that do not in- 
 jure the interests of godliness; the diversities of forms 
 of public worship, and differences of discipline are 
 viewed as matters of indifference; what engat^cs his 
 concern is, that the heart be purified by faitlf; that 
 the knowledge of God and of the Mediator between 
 God and man, may kindle a glow of piety in the soul ; 
 that the influences of the divi«e Spirit be cherished 
 m a good conscience, and allowed to adorn the inner 
 man with all the fair graces of true holiness. If cha- 
 rity, out of a pure heart and of a good conscience, and 
 of faith unfeigned abounds; the great guardian of the 
 flock is satisfied; whatever tends to edification^ wliat- 
 ever contributes to enliven devotion and cherish benc^ 
 volence among men, he countenanceth; while, what- 
 ever is of a contrary tendency, he reproves; and frowns 
 with displeasure on thatiritoleranceofweakmortals that 
 attempts toencroach on the sacred rights of conscience, 
 to lead every jugment captive, and make every creature 
 papiomagetoa peculiar mode of Religion, by denoun- 
 cing the sore woes reserved for the heathen and pub- 
 lican, against all that have the virtue to refuse to hear 
 and obey. Each particular Church should follow the 
 direction of its own wisdom, a^d consult its own edi- 
 fication, without allowing any controul or undue in- 
 fluence from a foreign Church. The Governors and 
 Pasto rs of the several Churches are a ccountab le for 
 ^tee^oyersight they take of tfieTlock that is among 
 ym, to the chief Shepherd and Pishop of soub; they 
 
 .\ 
 
 \ , /'■' ^ ■: 
 
 , • ^aX 
 
^9 
 
 are not td Jook to the faitl,, and practice bf t)ie mn 
 dem Churches for a rule ofcondi.rt^ ^!n • . ' ^^^ 
 how they are to acquit them^dves to hi "'!^tir'?'?» 
 stera of Jesus ChriTamTr' , ^^^ Mini- 
 
 nre to lake heed unto, is aZ Iv s^t S°^ 7k^ u''7 
 Scriptures, which were given bVfn^ir^bn '?r^'i •""';? 
 are ptvjitable for doctrhie ftr ,.„ ^^ i "* ^°*'' ^""^ 
 
 maybe thomu|hly Sshed unt ^1 ''^"'^" ?'^^°^ 
 to,theirow.MyeK[h;fs;lrrft,f^ 
 
 i>.,(»r^;« »/ I "-ct* these precautions nerp nni- 
 
 sufficient to keep out of theChur I, olCbrist the wrtrW 
 
 iLT"" f"'"' ""=."• "«" -"^ "'''"V' ready „ take Lrf" 
 vantage of every institution, coriu'nted thr f -il i . 
 
 X)l5iiop« of Rome m process of time acanlrpH thA 
 
 A«if »«bj*ctsMthat tS a^Ao^^io/Terve:.:^' 
 
 *«h,^w*. «?together o*a different nature and 17^ 
 
 -^ I 
 
 
 
I 
 
 t I 
 
 f 
 
 '.J. <• 
 
 
 ' 50 
 
 £iTi"^"= *"'' "'«■•«"«;<>» of nation, was SUN 
 Rnsed by specious sophisms, to ackiiowledee a S.. 
 preme PontJff in the Christian Church. ^ 
 
 .,«i'T nu '1*^ ''"''°™ «nd prudence of each 
 particular Church to manage iU own oeeonomy The 
 
 power the Apostles receive'Jl to govern the Church^ 
 they should estaWish, was conveyed bv the imSo^ 
 
 their Stead. As hannony cannot be preserved amone 
 the many members that constitute one body, „or ed^ 
 . fication promoted, unless authority be vested in thoi 
 ivho are made overseers, to regulate the o2 to b1 
 observed* and controul mattcilof'discipline the „.T- 
 eessors of the Apostles, who have theX^^h t of X 
 flock of God. that is among thpm. are empowered to 
 
 on to obey them that have the rule over the ChurcE 
 under nam of bebg tonsidered as an a len to iSie 
 ho^hofd of faith. Sothing more is required by t 
 
 reason enjoins. No society, whatever be the ubiect 
 
 mhZv'hf ^°*''^'!:« '°««ther, can subsist uSeL 
 authority be exereised, and deference pafd to it 
 
 vot'Tthrt":?" f'-^^''"'b *^ ""*' »^°the 
 ^ce ot that particular Church -* thih whose limits 
 
 . wje Chnsfiftn Church, which the edification and sni. 
 ntual advantwe of Christians dde» not Wa?Lt is not 
 «|ven.by the Sospel, whatever, is given ZTh^ gZ 
 pel, is^given to pnifit withai: But*what profi? wW 
 advantage can arise to the interests of GoS^S ftoSi ' 
 ti»e vast mwWfude of Cbristiad* di«petted W^ 
 wde .orfaqe ofthe earUi, beintf suEto rtie or!^ 
 ^u|ces of a Sup,«me Pontiff? im^^S^^^ 
 
 J««BedinatuatK>n,dwie«u,g ia Janguage, custo»^ 
 
 ■ '«*^'^ 
 
 
51 
 «n<l manners? Or can it be supposed 0«t the Reli 
 
 fated .r,"*^ IT P"^'^"'" ^^"'-^' c^/be calS.: 
 nrfv ? "^^^ '"J'''*' """'""^' »" Christian Cl.urch?s 
 or excite every where the «tine sentiments ? Or Uf ^^^ 
 liberty ofall Churches to be judged byU^ con^^n^^ 
 of one Darticular tlmrch ? Vhltever S"e an in 
 dividual may be required to make to av?^d oivine of" 
 fence to a weak brother; it cannot, TilZn^ or 
 Chan y be expected, that all Church;s shoXdism- 
 . gard their own sense of things, and allow themilJ^ 
 
 J^nurch. i ruth and nghteousness, that are revealed 
 fZo^""'""' r^^'" they a,^ disc^rnerwUl S 
 fail to command venflwion, and win the affection of 
 
 t'inelnsiitr*'" "■'^^V f"" A'-'^^-M 
 divine institutions commend themselves to the cmsci^ 
 ence of every serious and candid man; bu it h far 
 ."nte'r^rfB r .»''^ ^evices of human ;i^om Tte- 
 interest of Religion demands that the flock oF Chrk* 
 should be parcelled gut into Separate dTvlilS 
 committed to the care and vigilance of severa fSfo™ « 
 ■ who are to giv-e ^n account of themsel es to tteS 
 Shepherd of the sheep. The Bisbopl^rthJ Sr- 
 d.ns|on8.Ay f^llowiig the directioKf fheiro^ 
 Wdenfent. may, indeecf produce a divCv of fo™^ 
 
 iiidte inem alJt bt\)l, Iiou evep vai ous fchp siia n#» /n^ f 
 
 " Tr iP^f"^^'?"' "n i>n|»rtai.t wivan a^^iJUrfs^ 
 ^ i*^!"", ^~'^"''' independence of the C«urcl?r 
 ^« i-W^f the different bSldeii will W tried fl^H ' 
 pra.^ bestowed according to Uieir espeetve merit. 
 
 •=|he.judgmentan,l taste, tSat nniy be dfsS^Iv^Tn o?e 
 ^nck, may operate io imptove the abUitvand S.T 
 
 ; ^f^' **^ '"^«««» by a^ow>u» ea,qlati«i. to*aI, 
 
 ■ tv. .. 
 
 
 ' f • 
 
 ">- 
 
 r "V ■■- 
 
'f-lr 
 
 : 
 
 P ; , 
 
 
 
 "W" ■ « 
 
 52 
 
 Wk? ^^^'^^'t*'", '^ amar cpmefc and eogagiBSr 
 ^ While those, who haveT)uilt an edifice of exquisite 
 workmanship, such as is at t)nce simple and maiestic. * 
 may be made sensible of the excellence of their work, ' 
 ; by viewing buildings on which much labour has in^ 
 deed been employed, but tp no other purJ)ose, than 
 to render them massive and heavy with ornaments of ' 
 a puenle taste ; and be satisfied that they have acquit- 
 ted themselves as wisp master builders. 
 
 The divine Author of the Christian faith, sent his 
 messengers into all the earth to preach the Gospel, and 
 iound Churches. They went forth, independent of 
 each other, and equal in authority; the word of saF^ 
 vation was on their lips; glowing with a generous ar- 
 L diffuse the knowledge of truth through the 
 world, all meaner consideration^ were disregarded. 
 ihey were nqt now the men, that were solicitous to 
 know which of them should be accounted the great, 
 est; they had been baptized with the Holy Ghost, 
 and with fire; and were renewed in the spirit of their 
 mind, no^longer to be'anxious about earthly distinc 
 tions, and elevation of lank. Their sole concern was 
 to Jay the foundation of the Spiritual kingdom of 
 Chnst; primacy of honour and jurisdiction was too 
 low aix object to engdge their ^tt^ntioqi. their thoughts 
 and affections were wholly occupied by thp excellenr 
 cyot the knowledge of Christ Jq?us; ^nd wherever 
 they drew men to the obedienice of faith, without en-" 
 quiring which pf their coUcagues in the Apostl^hip 
 was the first m authority, they formed Churdbes, ana 
 acted as men that considered themselves fully empow- 
 ered to do aU things for the edification of those who 
 fteaeved, without any dcipendencc on the jurisdiction 
 of another Appstle. They wero aU wfanti of thq 
 flame Lof4; intent pn the same work Mind knew no: 
 
 aevqwl Churehw ffti^y TouSie?. ord^ 
 
 tssc 
 
 dcra; wd it their depirtuiew)^^ 
 
 * ^ • 
 
 ■', '^1' 
 
 .'a4.V!' 
 
53 
 
 i 
 
 -oWlS whom they belieTixJ, without subjectinff them 
 to the aathority of the Church at Jeruilem *whteh 
 was then the Mother Church. What seemed J ^ 
 the Holy Ghost, and to the Apostles, Elders, a! dbi^ 
 thren a^mbled with one Accord at JerusXn, to 
 consider the question respecting circumcision^* i^ 
 deed, received w>th joy by other Churches; but this 
 they were prompted to, not from a sense ofsubiection 
 
 and £ld«s. Acquiescence. IS readily given to de- 
 
 cuiions of men. who arc jusUy revered ana loved but 
 no mference can be drawn lix,m the power wisdom 
 
 and p-ety, have over affectionate, a^nd i'enemtw 
 Churches, to countenance a system of iurMS 
 The Apostles werc the fathei^of all the cCh4 and 
 retemed over them the authority of peniuasto„*and 
 whortatmn. but assumed no dominionr The Z J^rf 
 Pnnceo* the Apostles even, St. Peter, putehiS^^ 
 a footmg of equality with the Bishop^ Ttl«TvlS 
 Churches he addresses in his Epistle; heenTbrrr^^ 
 exhortefon, not by any consideration of prc^Snce 
 w authority but by the powerful motive of hisS 
 
 K[|e:saitsra-^ 
 
 whoever they might be, shouW hold tl» p'a^T^ "f 
 honour and junsdictiou; it would certainl/have L„ 
 h«hly prcper to impress men", minds "SwiS 
 and he wooU not have failed to Mtokii.i. V- 7 ^' 
 
 
 
 
I I 
 
 i. ,' -i 
 
 V: I 
 
 !:!,: 
 
 l^attad thenileovef them; but it is bo where enjoin- 
 ed that one Church should be obedient and subiect 
 to another, ^he reasln of things did not require this 
 aibfection, The several Churches the ApostWfounded 
 iiadbutonel^di one ^th. one baptism, one God 
 and Fate of all; %ncfdiey partook of the influences 
 of one Smnt; and Mutual charity bound them tog^- 
 ther,and made theiif sympathise one with another in 
 their distresses* and tribuFations: but no vestige of ahv 
 supenority in point of authority can be diS^overed. 
 1 hey were all concentered within themselves, and had ' 
 no other connexion than that of reciprocal kindness 
 and benevolence. The Apostles having preached the 
 kingdom of God, and fully instructed the Churches in'' 
 the word of reconciliation, keeping nothing back that 
 was profitable unto them, onj|afcing their last leave of 
 them, gave the Eldm a «J»t charge to take heed 
 Jinto themselves, and' to alWf flock, over the which 
 
 J?u *^?'^>J?°^*^ ^^i ""*d® ^h«m overseers, to feed the 
 Church of God, wfi then left them to their own virtue 
 ^d wisdom, commending them to God, and to the 
 word of his grace. In this free and independent state 
 the several Uiurches continued for some lime; main, 
 taming cqmmunion with each other, but admitting no 
 fnterfrrence of authority. During this period, the innu. 
 merable members of the Christian family, though dis. 
 peree4 through the whole world, considered thenwelves 
 as forming but one body, and were closely united bv 
 the bonds of chanty. They assented, as if they dwelt 
 in the s^me housp, to the same necessary truths of the 
 t^pel, believing them, as if they had but ope* mind 
 and one heart ; umformly setting them forth, as if they 
 had but one motath. ^W sfjyeral Chwrchea held ti 
 gether; they harmpniously cppqurred in the bond of 
 peace and charity, an4 cai^«y «ivoided^a4Bvcr 
 could weaken or dig golve tbg uiMon. If m y an^l«n^ 
 isal ikW fitctious spirits reht/amff dividcS^oiie par^ 
 
 vDWPfti they WW «lwvQwtd and co|ld9m^e<i kf 
 
 !\"Jf 
 
 
 I iSi ^'„ .u 
 
X, -^0~ 
 
 C*<^ <?'"•' ' 
 
 phfere enjoin* 
 and object 
 
 require this 
 ties founded 
 m, one God 
 e influences 
 
 them toge- 
 I another in 
 stige of any 
 discoyered, 
 es, and had 
 *ai kindness 
 reached the 
 [Churches in 
 5 back that 
 last leave of 
 
 take heed 
 • the which 
 to feed the 
 own virtue 
 md to the 
 ident state 
 ime^ main-f 
 Imitting no 
 [iftheinnu-* 
 though dist 
 themselves 
 
 united by 
 fhejr dwelt 
 uthsofthe 
 ope* mind, 
 UPS if they 
 eiheld to^ 
 le bond of 
 
 sdiii 
 
 le particiiH 
 
 pmi(^ Jl^^ 
 
 r 
 
 4» «. 
 
 ftii Other Churches. Heresip^ nA«,u . • . 
 Cont»r> to the Gospel pSSbvZ'I'^ '^ ""^ 
 fPPP^d by their u.i;„iS,l^f ^postK "T 
 ted by the words rtf frnti. ,, Y"*^'"' and were refu- 
 precious trea^^r^inXHff T^.P'^'ed. as a 
 Ihe universal S was dfc ?"''=''"'• ^^^ 
 free, and indepencbut ChuS wh"^" '"^"^ '*»*«««' 
 union was dwity. and S ^ j'*"'^ ?°'f ^^""^ "t of 
 _ serving inviolate ihe SocWne i^^^^"' J^'T "^ P*^ 
 
 I Apostle^, or 4pa,t„lieart^S^?fc"*'^'«»«t^ 
 
 ■ ' timony was a sufficienf m,w^ / "' ""animous tes.- 
 
 I and whoeverS^ ,'1m °K^re"Sf' '«»' doctrine; 
 
 ■ Churches, otthSe cswcfa^ v > '^K^'i'l'^'^'"'' "^ 'he 
 and confined by tlSoL"',!l^'' been faunded 
 as an lieretic, and avoidJd hI „' vT 1"'"^ considered 
 nyand peace of fhrcWh R;'f"'''r'""*''''c harmo- 
 
 «.e boundaries of particuL ^ 1 ^.r". '''*^'" •'''^'' ''^ 
 down, and their «Cly and fc'vl^'*'* ^"'''«» 
 the same confidence coul,rnot t^S^^ r''P«'' 
 sions of what was balled thp r 7.^ ^ ,^. '" ^^^ ''eci- 
 Particular Church^ i«d hJ^*"^' •*^'""^''- The 
 ri«:un.sta„ce8,acqared he a^^^ ?"■"""« ''^^ou'^bte 
 the mistress of all Vhm-het ^ffi^T^' ""'^ become 
 a« her dependenciera,?/ ,L '"*"'^'''PW"brou»I, 
 
 could pnlyLcoSed as tLescZ""?' "«' «m^h 
 Church. '''"'^'*"seofonepanicuIar 
 
 mteresta of tfeChristia„7tt "T«^?'°'"« 
 npnty wa» then known amcZ til S^ !"* "tJiersup©. 
 ♦era! Churchesv than wlmf».^ . ^'^''"P' oftheC 
 
 braced the Chri»tian S S?AT" ^^Pe™" em- 
 
 degw* ofest^^dZemtiL !'*«"«««« "bigb 
 
 -> ^.t\^^-'> 
 

 I'i 
 
 ■is 
 
 ■ li!* 
 
 scure men; they came foiih from the ckvems and 
 f^^^^J^' to which the hioe of heathen pereebu^ 
 
 metits of Chnstian^ virtues; and wer^led to the rank 
 of the high^t honor The Empemra, from respect 
 to their character, and gratitude tor the rich treaVui^^ 
 
 iLh^^Af^^^y^^"^ ^^*^^°^ *»^'«"gh ^heir minia^ 
 JIaaF^ ^""J^ "^'^"^ professed aparticular.regard 
 frl» f r ^^' *^'"- Christianity under the^a. I 
 ^ona^ of the Emperors was. diffused throush the*' 
 ±.rapire; preachers were sent unt6 all parts of the Ro^ 
 man dommion to proclaim the feith of Christ* and to 
 exhort p^ple to adore the eternal Father, the onlr 
 trae God, ^nd Jesus Christ whdm he had sent. Nu- 
 merous Chiirches of converted Heathens were founds 
 ed, and the.Mmisters of the Gospel were revered, and 
 cherished bjr t|ie love and gratitude of those to whom 
 they mmistere^. The holy men of God, who had i 
 boldly professedVthe name of Christ, and bore in Iheir 
 bodies the scars 6f the wouriis they had receivedvdu- ' 
 ring the last assault of the powers of darkness, to over- 
 throw the Religion W Christ, ^ere the objects of pub- 
 lic venation, and W listened to with eager atten- 
 tion. 1 heir words w^re received as oracles, and their 
 ordmances readily observed. 
 
 . Erom thetime Christianity was publidy established 
 by Coustantme, a clpsb connexion was formed be- 
 tween Chureh and State, and the solicitude of the latter 
 was to a/reat degree en Wd in the iritertsts, and 
 welfare of the former, Tothl Bishop of Rome was 
 committed the chai|;e of seiidingfaithftil menintothe 
 ProTOces to preadi the Chri^ian doctrine, and 4here. 
 yer Churches were formed, Bishdps were appointed ; 
 
 and the managemient of the |)uMc affainj ofRditt^^^ 
 gtni^jg thgm-^ttgd^r jttemuV^fcefto f the Rmp^. 
 
 wveiul Bishops, and pwcedend^ given according to 
 
 
pre the highes*t seat of honou? was as^ed tf^ 
 large share of influencp «llnwB^ u ^ r ^'"' " 
 favoured by iZcl-^i ' nrfit ^^ T "'^ «<»» 
 
 e"Srd^"elt oT ■& '^^ t "'""-f t^:te^ 
 the r«n;t.?i .f *'S'^"' ^s the sound of it issued from 
 
 "cor,ir '^*''''p-«i--i Sott^rSr' • • 
 hlK'"teir;r^eiHx:a"t&^^ 
 
 the prisoners fret^ \f.^ •? ^'^^ ^*''^ ^"^ set 
 
 Snts^Sth^ si^'^i'^SSr-b*^ -^^^^ 
 
 tl.row„. and. their ^S^deM,f°%ZZ''-'- 
 Constantine had a special care of an tL rt f^'T 
 
 public oBce^ Tr^ r5«;r ^. . -^ atteiWRMic^ to 
 Fupiic oiftces. lo Cecums, Bishop of Carthage he 
 
 -.,^*i 
 
 
i,:- 
 
 :^;i 
 
 Pi,. !'i 
 
 .58 
 
 t TT//^'^ JW»«*^««/'»e C«<*^AeS 
 ih^kall the Province, of Africa, Nmnid,Ta^l^ 
 
 fnca, t,„4t^ti,en him Order, to put inTo^CX 
 thnefho<mndpur^(foll,>.) WhrnyouhLrSd 
 
 tmed, according /« the UitOsimhas remtt^Zl, 
 Skfl von JinU my thi^ ^a>,tmg toJ6c^mm!Z 
 fenUo„,„„u must make «o diA t^Uof^Z. 
 
 ofder,J>j, »W of mouth, to count out tojJo^lf^tZ 
 
 ^onsol ofAfrica, he ordered, that m h» PrmA^r, iT 
 Mm„ter,oJthe C^hoKe CA^h, o«"U*W, cZZ^ 
 
 toBzeal, and estabhshed through the vast reeions that 
 ^W magnihcaoce, ajtd l)ecamfe«n obiect of iti.Wik 
 
 MgmQ» au attacks ott'ts 'avowed enemip.. !k«f2li: • 
 
 iwwony On «HS«t«fe«,hmeritoftirertl^rfJ«h 
 e;spiHtef4nt,^ry ledtDen tb fwM^^^' 
 
 menTi muds m d..fferent43irectwiB. The Bishop 
 
S9 
 
 thtZt^lSL^''' "^^ '^"P'*' *'"'^'' -A thee 
 rfMaTed bv h« ^ ' '^ according a, ihe a.xument« 
 c»spia>ea by the disputing parties sudck them 
 
 aversion of tlie T^islir.r* a i-. » "luicis, and the 
 Arin*. i,!/- • : ,P A^^^andor against the Pne4t 
 Anus.— he/iDsinuated to Constantine that it\L ^ 
 
 tLk u '^""'""'W" h«d spread Com East to S 
 the Churches every where through the wide extmlt^f 
 the Empire felt tUr^elves inte,ited irttTuS;? 
 and took part according as they vie,ml tto^ A^'' 
 pious Consta„ti,«..^alo1.s for tile p«Sr "!f„d S^ 
 rypfChr.stmn.ty, was disposed t, try every evoedT 
 e It to restore pe^ce, and reconcile dissentiL f W 
 ches. He resolved Iheiefore to assemble t.^P 
 nor« of all the Churcl«,s of the EmZ nlf^ZI; 
 the nffiur to their discussion. ResJotfnl ll» ^^ 
 accordi.,gly sent to the Bishops LSJ t/""" 
 
 WR_en their places, ti>e Enaiiernr«nf«.v^ ^ ^ 
 
 If 
 
 HOd took h« seat. Eustatius, Bishop of ItS, 
 
 I i 
 
60 
 
 opened the. ^oimcjl with a speech, in wliich he ex. 
 pressed the grateful sense the Bishops felt for the Em- 
 perprs niuijificence; and for his solicitous c^ie toas^ 
 semble then^, Thp Emperor, on his part, signified 
 that he was happy to see so matiy venerable Prelate^ 
 assembled together; ^nd expressed an eager desire that 
 they might i>erfectly agree in sentiment. He then 
 Jett them to ^xamime freely the point in dispute; de^ 
 f^Ia^ng that he would leaye them in the fuU liberty of 
 their sentiradnts, and judgments; aod that he only 
 claimed the Authority of a Moderator to prevent the 
 disorders tliat might proceed from too eager debates. 
 1 J ."'*^'* f ter a long, and mature dehberation de^ 
 clared for ih&pmmti/ of Jesus Christ, agreeable to the 
 scripturtes. The Emperor pyblished the result of the 
 delibemtipns; land sent letters into all the provinces to 
 yiake known | to the Churches the decisions of the 
 Council, exhorting thei» to union. Through the whole 
 ot thi^ pi^ee^ing the Emperor appears in the cha^ 
 racter of Supreme he^d in Church, as well as in State. 
 A t the hr^t establishment of Christianity in the Em^ 
 pire, the adn|mi§tration of the concerns of Rehcrion 
 was adjusted on 'the model pf civil ^dmiqistratioS.— 
 ihe political order was the rule by which ecclesiasti- 
 cal government w^ franied. The Empirp was divi^ 
 ded into provinces; yet, all the reins of government 
 centered m Kome, On the same basis the Church 
 was set.^ It was divided into Bishopricks, and Metro, 
 pohses that were subordinate to R.pme. l!he cities 
 Pt h.'gh iinport^pcp were the Metropohtan sees of ex. 
 tensive districts. The Churches stood on the scale of 
 dignity ^acpording to the degree of consideration, in 
 which the provinces were held. Rome as the Capital 
 Pt the Empire, was the most exalted see; and was the 
 Head of pll the ecclesi^tical provipces. Its BishoD 
 was considered as the Primate of all Bishops; he was 
 ^hCf-^1 amongjbii^eagues, aud occupied tiie_ 
 1«|hest sea^ of hpnpr. Whep the v^t regip^ pf tJiQ 
 
 , V. 
 
■ " Si 
 
 East and West were united under one temooral ,,„. 
 mnraent, the tranquillity and welftm of tffinf^ 
 miglit require that a system of subordination aS 
 tl.e Churches should be established. I miKht te ex^ 
 pecheut to mtrodnce worldly maxims into he g^eSj 
 Pient ot the Church; and regulate eccleaiasti^^ 
 
 "leisor tliemiistian Religion beaan to intriini« ft» 
 power, and seek for preeminence. To limit tie n^ 
 tensions of ambition; and adjust the clHi^of itS 
 
 and adopted. Full power was lodged in the Chi.w^h 
 of Rome to decide in the last resort all eccfeiS 
 differences; a^d its jurisdiction reached toXCnl 
 tl»?.°/ '^f ?'"P"T- The centre ofcivil, was a"st 
 - rK,.l!if-''T''"'^.S"'''™°'™'='«t'»'P»inUIItho ' 
 Churches m the wide circumference of the EniDiro 
 teuded.and verged, and hither all causi, wheTiefci! 
 Vil or ecdeswstical, were brought to be definitivev di' 
 ^rmined. Councils were frequently convened at R„„ J 
 by the Emperors to take into consideration the suT 
 JCcts of contention between Churches ; on these occa' 
 JK,ns the Bishop of Rome was wont to be consulted 
 and his mdgment was allowed great wei^h" S 
 
 lurisS.^'n''''"'^ '"''^''' *^ P"--^ «f°^~4 
 But, when the Roman Empire was subverted an,I 
 dismembered; when its P.-o«ilices were dispnted and 
 constituted into indeperident.governnicn s when nM 
 cavil c»nnewon.wiw broke off, ?ithRore„,;«„,!^nn 
 ger the mistress of tl,e world; and nation" "veraed . 
 them^lves: when the East and West no lonf^ W / 
 ed one Empire, but was split into many' fovereifln 
 
 -f 
 
 bpal mm within its limits, andnhat n'o other bXf 
 
 : '/ 
 
.1 y 
 
 ■■ s 
 
 r;t;^ 
 
 m 
 
 62 
 
 iritb that ot Borne, but the bond of a common S 
 ?°i •'^*ffy- The public welfare and hamon^^f the 
 
 tw^^ 2[«:c'«««tic»l juriadiction. Yet, the cansS 
 
 ^^"^'.K " *«,'«?">'.'•»*»« of the Empire, dK 
 S.S !^* ecc'e»'«8tical system of thin^ Tto 
 pnnc pies and nmxina, adopted at the fiwt oobU^ 
 «.tabh,hme„t of Christianit/still contintu^afK 
 ■ ^^^T "^ ""' 5""*''"^ "'^^ of things.' ?o exert 
 teS^fX^!"" 'Pco..«.Hd.,e,he^;erofTi:: 
 
 Fierce nations invaded the Empire, and tore it to 
 Pieces Numerous tribes of warljL people mshed n 
 l.k« torreotcB the P^vinpes. aqd dfe^S™! 'traced 
 of Roman policy, jurisprudence, ar^ and literaui^r 
 
 bansm a lota change, took place in the political or 
 der of the world; and ft new^tem of tWngs ar,^r 
 The Bishop of Rome still preserved his influence^d 
 
 Struct the rude and idolatrous multitudes, that spread * 
 
 p»er the western Provinces, in the Religion of C 
 
 i^ '=ha™<='er of the Ministm of Religion VasTeJ^r" 
 
 Pd :^d the chieftains of the people wefe Uie d^cTartd 
 
 protectop^ and patrons of thHR^man Pon^' S 
 
 Churches were founded by his zeal am™.»ft^ * 
 
 l^bitants of the West, thC She7"pCo?K 
 
 siastical jurisprudence was adhered to, the mode of^ 
 
 worship to be practised by the conver ted^oTh. anX 
 
 Vandals vas prescribed by him, and was r^SSv 
 
 received. The person of the Bishop of E who 
 
 was now considered as the Patriarch of the X' s^ 
 
 became an object of sppentitious veneration ^he^ 
 
 regarded as tJU Vicar of Jesus Christ; his w oS| was 
 
 the standard ot belief; his mandate the ruteX^ 
 
 -to the zeal oTthe ignoraflt. and superstitious invK 
 
63 
 
 tiHtA. that Cn th:Ji':,';,t\:'" ^ "'*«*^' * 
 gressof moral causes. thfpSf «Ln ,!f'"?i.f*^ 
 
 <<oiti.nion men are CT^er Tea,wVn^^' ^P<"»«'"«Wl 
 
 ^each ^and if restrained Lr„H..^if^-fi '^''*^ '^'''^ 
 ted afeuses. • What h«i h^^ L •' 'T .'*<'" '"«' "iW* 
 
 «y^te.„ »f e^SSrl^ ,v"?i^ W*™eright!l-ht 
 to the unily of Ste^i,! ^'twttionofthe^;^ 
 
 tsiwntialpoint'ofthearriit^^ » i ?'^'*''l iwtow, 
 ftoed tl^t tte cK 7chrKSJ 'JT*"**" 
 "Bg, on this princiDle. whif-hi^T ^•' . '^- «'18»- 
 
 •««iyiotiWin credit •wban^^l: 1^' soi>hism ooaUl 
 «> the '»a«Zstm;!f.'^S* *"*^«y •^"'drtrtjr 
 
 V 
 
 J«fl. 
 
-\ 
 
 ,; I 
 
 i:S. .il 
 
 ''II' 
 
 
 lit i l' ; 
 
 W 
 
 o4 
 
 its a\<rn oeconomjr tvithout the least dependence oii »1 
 ' foreign Bishop. England at the reformation buret 
 the bonds asunder that held her in;captivitj to the See 
 of Rome; she challenged her power an4 aiWhority as 
 a national Church, to reform her public Reliffiom 
 where she was madesensiblci it had departed from pri^ 
 mitive purity and simplicity; and asserted her prero- 
 gative to be the sole arbiter of differences that might 
 arise within her limits with respect to ecclesiastical 
 matters. It can never be thought that th^^^t^rior 
 modes and forms of Religion, which the 
 times^f ignorance^ and superstitions plans 
 Wishes, can engage the veneration of all h^ 
 generations; or that Christians are to be held fP^r- 
 petual observance of them. Wherever light arisS to 
 enlarge men's views, and improve their judgment, they 
 must surely be allowed the liberty to express the sense 
 of their own liiind; and to refuse to serve any longer 
 the unprofitable ordinances of superstition. Happy 
 It IS for mankind, that wherever wisdom disclose** t6 
 them the true natu^ of those doctrines, that hay e been 
 handed down as sacred; and makes them fully aware 
 tjiat thfeir faith has been misguided, and their zeaf ill- 
 directed; they have a te§t within reach, whereby di- 
 vine truths may be discriminated from the traditions 
 of men ; and the faith, which was once delivered to the 
 Saints ascertained. By recurring to the inspired scrip* 
 tures, we shall readily discover where faith and not' 
 sight IS to be our guide; and shall clearly discern 
 wherein our reasonable service consists. There is no- 
 thing that isprofitafeie to make men wise, good, and 
 happy, but what may be learnt in the sacred volume; 
 here whatever relates to faith and morals is plainly set 
 forth.* Indeed the goodness of God never could per* 
 
 inveniuntur ilia omnia, qwB continent Jidm, moresaut 
 Vivendi, (St. Aus. lib, 2. 4c doct. Chris.) 
 

 
 6i 
 
 veDe8toS°#thL,';r! ^"■'"•'. """horit/ inter* 
 whirl, „„ ^ things that are cnv roned wJth Ii<»h> 
 
 in silence thin-rs tlmr«r^n^! ""'"''•', " *°"«''<'fe 
 
 seeq. Where ma!^l T ' 'T' ""■" '"''«=<» <^an be 
 bv faith a!^?„^t^^^ • '"*,"° "§•"• '» "'"St be euided 
 
 in its ^Lnt late tir/'^r'^ °^' '^' '"■■"''■> S. 
 ry naLT H,^;t^ I "•*'"''' '•'''We; and beyond ve' 
 
 tLr^'i.i&ir„''S'^^rs^^^^^ The 
 
 certainly be object JiwLf I ? • ?^ '"^''» "'"^C 
 
 man comprehension "* ""^ '*'*='' "^ J""' 
 
 m^iv"i? ?f "'^ i'-""* *'"" '^'"°" ""^t* thus soberly and 
 
 titive ^.ti.^?^ ^ ^ """''• '^"t he won d, by a do- 
 «»t.ve imtituuon, create a mystery which ^as^not'^S 
 
 •v.. 
 
 V"* ' 
 
 n 
 
If ■ ■• 
 
 'ty 
 
 t : 
 
 I,: 
 
 l|iiK.;' 
 
 ■ .66 
 
 the nature of tbln^; a roystety, contradicted by the 
 tetimony of the «„ses of all mankind ; and disavowed 
 by every pnnciple on which human knowledgr^ 
 
 =£nt^lP""" '"»' ' «''"''« - '^« ''-'- o^ 
 
 5 T'" °°' «"°'y "^ to believe that Xy have cea 
 
 nughty. It ,s repugnant to the apprehensions, we 
 have impressed upon our minds, of the wisdon and 
 goodness of the Deity, to think that while we^;* co„^ 
 vmced. beyond all possibility of deception that ^™ 
 
 to behevethat tl,e elements of the sacrament have 
 been Changed into the^eal body, and bloo^ of Chrt, 
 *W« f, *'"'«/l"='e of faith should be enforced bv 
 the awful sanction of the high displeasure of H^vcfl 
 Divme wisdom contrives all its works to move in ha": . 
 wony; tlj^re is no clashing; no jamng among them 
 
 Sn(^';^^""'' ^^ *t'"!' ""^^ incoSsistencU a?d 
 contradictions may be detected. The systems that 
 ages work up are wont to be composed of cont^dic- 
 tory rudiments; what one generation establXth ac- 
 cording to Its own view of things, another sta^Lm 
 guided byadiffefentspirit, an^dVpSt^trh 
 on«ther principles; thus upon awxiew of the wZe 
 system, many incoherencies, and Intradictions may 
 
 L/nTri?' • ^a^ '" "'j; opemtiok and dis,^3 
 on* of the Am-ghty no dissonance can be pe/c^ived- 
 m^y are ptanned by wisdom, anc^ directed bS) 
 perfect order prevads among them ;lhev are all » VSr^ 
 plete system.of harmony. *^This o£f and hanSon; 
 the doctnne of the real presence, ajd transuKt^ 
 ^ « cakulated to der a^ and'dXkSS^ 
 |y of ouf MDses u the voice of (bod declarimr t^ 
 nature of corporeal sutetoaces; bftlus^«e*a^ 
 
 cifimt. 
 
67 ' 
 
 presumed Care tauXlhLT'* '^■"' "^''^''" '«« 
 but the real body'^'Redeemr 'onir"" ^^'"•'' 
 sition of the truth of this doctrine ,^" ,".' V"PP°- 
 
 ]urij|us to the wUdnm ^^A *\*^^^ness. VVliat is in- 
 
 ed to'^in'^^rder to a j,^ D^ £ 'iV" ^r'' 
 be truths, connerfpri Jifh Vt. * "°"g'> *ere 
 
 that are b;Z,?^^:t;'ttt7f2^^^^^^^^ 
 
 Ken; still, tra ts of transr-^nrl^nf • j ^^^^n of human 
 
 are disce;„»b.e to ufe human eve'onThe?'' ^"^"^ 
 Grace; and while wp h„r.7i • k^ ?? *"* Covenant of 
 
 the un^earchlb 7:d^St^"oS »1"'^«-".- to 
 
 lent admiration the riXcs both «f l" "'^7''''' **' 
 
 goodness, must refu«. assent to doc^r^'^r^"'* 
 m unison with the tennr ^e r>: . °"'."'*" '*'" are not 
 
 mere word is not suttenf "rdLtSrd ^ 
 a pomt of doctrine, that is at vSce wi^ !t ■"" 
 firrt elements of human kLwS n V^7*7 
 and stupid must that underaurdinf ^ 1^1 '"f *^" 
 ing bread and^wine, called tfap7L„ f^ ^^-^ 
 CKrist, should mistakelhTnl! r^^^^ Wood of " 
 *e,.ere,o„tt^r,^lX:f;^-i^^tM 
 
I Is,' 
 
 68 
 
 his real body and bIood\ Human language abounds 
 with metaphors, and figures of speech; ai?d were we 
 to understand every word, that is spoken literally, we 
 might have many such strange doctrines, as the real 
 presence, and transubstadtiation, in the Christian Re- 
 Ji^on; every page of the Scriptures, in th^t case, 
 would contain some sucli incredible mystery. The 
 reason of thmgs is far more expressive than human 
 language; that must interpret, and determine the mean< 
 yngot words; and allow none to be affixed to them 
 that commoTj sense rejects, If bread be1,eld forth, 
 ^nci s^id to be a human body, the specific nature of 
 things suggests to understand it in a figurative sense, 
 «nd no unprejudiced mind could imagine that the as. 
 sertion was to be taken literally. 
 
 The great Redeemer of mankind to impress the 
 Jews with a sense of the advantage of ftith in him 
 JL*^7 ^o^had sent, ^\l, himseffMe bread rfH^l 
 
 all e^ir- ^T? !P'"i"^^ l^ngmge. absti^eted fmm 
 all earthly simihtucfe, their dull minds would havecon, 
 
 Ssnrh /f «^.]^^^i»^^ ^^ ^^S^ but by making 
 Sn^fi i^^^^^'i'^'^S"'^' ^*^"^« conception ofthi 
 doc nne he wished to communicate, might be raised, 
 ^^ch fignrative language is adopted by our Divine 
 
 inT.k I . 7'*^™'''^ expressive of spiritual truths, 
 and the best adapted to convey a knowledge of tW 
 4o describe spiritual things, and insinuate Heavenly 
 truths, im^g^ must be borrowed from the sensible 
 m ; J^^'^Wances, however faint, remarked, and 
 adverted to, that the minds of mortals may be enabled 
 through mystenons allusions to glance at the wisdom 
 Hea^S ^ ^"^^'^ "^^ *^^ ^Hysterics of 
 
 the^LaiTnAT •'T'u^?'^ ""'^^ ^^"^ J^^^ concerning 
 of^t InhH ^ ^^; ""^'^K;' "^^"'^^^ '" ^^^ sixth chap^ 
 ot^t. John, IS plainly allegorical; by the display of so 
 ^m us a simiht ude , h e wa^ anxioi^ that d^ »nd^ 
 ^tandmgs m^ght att^ some comprehension of tbg 
 
life lu8 words contained. JeJus being UiatXelrf 1*;.* 
 
 *f</; no tjj)es more appropriate could bechS n^ 
 symbols more expressive acTopted to rep«^Srich 
 nourishment by which the eternal life nf thl ^ • 
 supported, than bread and wte As by th^ ^arth' 
 y substances the life of the body is nreLlT Th 
 the sacrifice of Christ, thesoul, tha bKTh Jhinf 
 « mvigorated to everlasting life. If then we henr 7^' 
 »f d«<='»nV? "«t bread is his body and wfne ht 
 blood; the i^fea that would naturally preCt S „^ 
 such an occasion, would nu>st assureK th^t tl,^^ 
 were the appointed symbols of that flesh, and of tS 
 blood, of wh.ch, we are assured, that except we eat 
 
 Tlin'' ^^ C"""!' "^ """ •"^■e no life in u^s 
 TheDivme Authorof the Christian faith well know 
 Wg the temper and frame of feeble humanity how ef ' 
 fcctual ly the mhid of man is assisted by outwLrd 1/: 
 to thmk on spiritual and ipvisible thinL iniritntef» 
 solemn r,te. and enjoined bis Discip es^td ce leSe i? 
 m remembrance of him. The enS propoSd n an 
 pomting a sacmment qf the sacrifice for sin^XS 
 
 tb^': 'iW,? "S '^^"^ ''' S«>ce l^CZ 
 inac oeneve. io attam tlftjobjcct. t was cMainW 
 
 not nectary to conceal under the appear^ jj- 
 
 bread and wu.e the very bo<ly and blood WfT 4, 
 
 .the real presence is not perceived by the eve hrt U 
 '"""^d can only be discerned by foith the s^me ex 
 ert.on of la.th ,>,ay. on celebrating the mytt^rfous fi^ 
 
 'gure. enable us to have a livelv tn^ ^f h! c ■ 
 of the world. What then touldltrint re so™ 
 be altewed to ask this question without being fmw™h 
 
 4dofj^umBt.on, ^„hat cpuld dc . ermi n«g::^ 
 
 Ttnnr r-- ~"^- ""j "■""■ cou i n nctermi ne^truth. wigr 
 
 ^OTTaua goodness to constitute an earthly oXaT^ 
 
 Vt ^ nature th,t could not fail to disct^dit^.KS 
 
 t 
 
m 
 
 if*i 
 
 ev^ences of truth; that woald tend tognnr^ress the .,«. 
 
 of our .ntellectual faculties; and tko^Kto ^ 
 
 Aost distracf ng state of scepticism ? No adeauae 
 
 . reasons are apparent. .; ■ "" luequate 
 
 n- '^ ^isciples of J«us; who weie familiar with their 
 
 rauy, 1 think, have understood the words <»f the „ 
 stitption of the sacred ordim,nce as imZrff in theii: 
 obvious and plain sense, tto bread K^^were to 
 
 oeemer. Had they conceived ttat any other mean 
 ing was .mphed ; that the bread wis the reSS^!,„; 
 the wme the real blood of the New Testame^r^^n™. 
 symptom^of astonisbmem wouldfTt irrea"onaK 
 
 weK bLT" '"'"•^'1 °" '- oceaslorfc 
 were not men of easy creduKty; nay, thev wcrA .S 
 
 of heart to believe all that the I'rop&hoZSim 
 their wnderstandinff was ancnfil iftHti. '^*™' ."" 
 of Chrkt tl.»f .k =. ■ ?P"F?' ""*"^ «ie resurrect on 
 r.„ -.1' 'H ""8''* undeistahd the Scriptures 
 
 Can .t be supposed, that men of this temoer wS 
 readriy a^t to a doctrine, that must haTbeeTSe 
 hardest saymg they ever beared, and the most renno. 
 nant to their ideas. No, they would hav^ter^fed f t 
 ^ incredible a thing; and traces would 7eS have 
 remamed oft thdr amazement. But not the St^l 
 jiint IS men by the Evangelists, that the Disciplef w^l 
 m the least denree offendoH «r .i,„l .l " ^™* 
 wavs shocked at^»:?^-' », ""* *''«>' "^^^^ a"? 
 K^! k^ 1 J '. ,^ ^mne Master's calUne bread 
 h« body, and wine his blood. This silence .mf^f 
 dence. I conceive, that no idea of real piS^nT and 
 transubstantiation ever entered the mindf rfa?e DiT 
 Pks; but that on hearing the bread and wine S 
 Jesus held m his hands, called the body that ^^f 
 fered, and the blood, that was spilt for the remSil' 
 of sins, they readily caught the iSiport anSSSS 
 
 *t.l desfti^ ^Z^ W'tituted symMMhat 
 
 Inmn^k^..^.. perpetuate to the latest postenfy Ihg' 
 
 Wnembraijfe of that oqe effip^igug sacnfice for^in. 
 
 ■1' 
 
ess the use 
 
 > into the 
 
 adequate 
 
 with theJT 
 iijstnatu\ 
 «^f the in* 
 ig in their 
 le were to 
 their Rje- 
 ler mean- 
 >ody, and 
 int; Some 
 )nable to 
 a. \Thej 
 «vere slow 
 yokeh, till 
 urrection 
 -riptiires. 
 er would 
 been the 
 Jt repugn 
 artled at 
 nly have 
 sliglitesi; 
 )les were\ 
 ere any 
 1^ bread 
 ^^ evi- 
 nce, apd 
 
 le Dia 
 
 ;,j>whicl 
 was of- 
 ^iQission 
 onsider- 
 >Is, that 
 iHyTBiB 
 for j^q, 
 
 71 
 
 ,^hich was once ofTered on the Altar of the Cms. ' 
 rhere was „o circumstance whatever a tendiLtii;:: 
 
 &t™' 5-''-* ™S?.« 
 
 that could enable them to sive a reasoTof l^Vli 
 thrist an Religion, thatof the real pre«entimm^ L 
 
 thrn.aLSir?''/'"^^''''^'' ^»^T^^^^^^^ 
 
 ine mosiiifevoltmg foolishness to the Greeks ^ixtJl 
 mystery of faith, than to nrevail nn tK;.«» "*^^eai 
 
 e^€p JT "" m"P»'°» ^y it^f «f»pedt 
 ent?fRe wisdom, aS&oodnea^/^f r ^j '^aapeai- 
 
 to rescue mankind ^^^l^°^t^'fdev,s6 
 
 # 
 
 / 
 
 ,/ 
 
 mi 
 
'I 
 
 Li. 
 
 strained te tonfeM that CJ.rist was in truth the tmtt 
 t^M^\ «-«</„«, of God. Tl.e m™t inau^^ 
 «mmamifaAe t^niaking; the Gentiles obedient to the 
 
 ■^octnne of the real pi«sen«iilThis 
 
 the greatest opposition to the G<». 
 
 Strenuous exertions of its Ministera 
 
 \A K« ;>, A " .^"'P'oy^d to ward off the attaclss-that 
 
 ^vr^- f^u '^^ •>""'«■'• The enemies ofX 
 
 S'JL&^i''' '=^'''^™'>' "°t have failed to ex! 
 
 SP„f iHSl 9°!">^diction there was between 
 
 lei^ai^ "'"' "'^ ''T'""" "«"^ of mankind. 
 
 lISoTrf ^ ^T^^' '''^^^ '^'""«^«' »ide the Re. 
 
 & of the Christians was vulnOable. thither the 
 ,^«fts of .ts adversaries would have been directed -! 
 ie^ vesfge remains of ^ contention tS^ 
 m real presence; nor dp we find that any obiection 
 % made to the Christian Religionon thatS The 
 £?S." "k*5^ "Pirit of God wJ exerted to brW men 
 to^^e obedience of truths of a higher nahire. f„d oL 
 mut^h more importance than exteriSr onlinanc^ the^* 
 n^ed no extmordinaiy evidence, they commri.cSd 
 themselves to every man:s conscience. W faith thS 
 w^s once! delivered to the Saints respected cSy the " 
 
 ment of this, every evidence that rationia beines coulVl 
 require was displayed ih>m Heaven; no unnC^ 
 obstacles are thrown in the way; no articles «ffel^ 
 are tendered, that clash with rea^n; t^TZi Idom 
 made the entmnce_^into the sanctuary of the^w^ 
 Religion smooth and easy ; and po™rfuUy iiafisidm™ 
 to ^ter They that were calS WgShe 
 f the glorious GospelJid?ln obediertfefel^fl 
 
 ^ fn.! ?"i'^' °*^ theirfith, celebiate the oixli!^ 
 mstinted in remembrance of him. Aioften^ 
 
 ^rdfitmth. Bafit does not ap^r Lt S^ 
 Mered the bread and wine in an/light, ZtT^ J 
 
 K? - 
 
 with ] 
 sily b< 
 tor thi 
 
 ^steii 
 
 %^ 
 
 .». k-: 
 
 ,')■ 
 
 ih^:- 
 
 
the powef 
 isurmoun- 
 ent to the 
 
 > the Gos- 
 Ministers 
 acks that 
 ies of the 
 ed to ex- 
 I between 
 nankind« 
 
 I implicit 
 B the Re- 
 ither the 
 ected. — . 
 cited by 
 objection 
 )re. The 
 ing men 
 
 > and qf^ 
 5s; these 
 me^ided 
 lith that 
 efljr the' 
 owledg- 
 isbould 
 Jcessary 
 of faith 
 wisdom 
 Gospel 
 ^|nen 
 #|he 
 
 J to- the 
 
 75 
 
 le ordi- 
 
 ^ 
 
 tidt perfcctiy consistent ^hh the rP^knt. \.P %' 
 
 Not the faintest eleam ,rfVi. , J.^^^o'' of things.-i- 
 
 sence ancItraiTsuti^^i^^ ^octr^ne of the real pre. 
 
 sud, a doctrine been delivered hfthl^^^^ ^T^^' ^'^^ 
 marks of it would be SererHn ^L"^^^^^^^ ^^^«'*' 
 the first ages of the ChullT a J ^'^^ f^^^^^pents of 
 
 « public ^ttinion ^naS elnre^^onsT' uT^^^^^^^^^ 
 tised, that would nl«inL^!v 1^°"^^ ^^^^ ^^n 
 
 every candid mind must be eonv ""ej th^ 'fh""'^ 
 pure days, the real presence C n„"nicle <^f Z' -^^ 
 
 were the sentlmentsf of t he 'fi,«" :"7j''f *'''' 7'"''' 
 co""..e.„«ra.i„n of the death .TfSist On^'r** 
 passage m p„i„t must be allowed create' McfX 't'"?- 
 a numerous quotation of oi,».|. ,0" )'.«^ignt, than 
 
 indeterminate, 'jt a ecrtd"n ,e . ■ '^{^'S"°«« «"d 
 -e nmst not eonm^e'o';;,^^ ft:'L'sffo?'rtf' 
 fer; but pry into the spirit of t(^ man^tL^ A f" 
 By permuting om^lvcs to play on trsurti!f<— '' 
 tences and n irases with uU ti i"i *'"^'ace o( sen- 
 
 authoritative prool"to suonoif^* F' '" '*''"'='' •??• 
 
 •nay give to ^«rds^Za7„Krwtr^^^^^^^^^ 
 thoughtsof the person thatutteSthem TI f '" '^u 
 
 withmetaph:ranlS/of p^tirteLt""''* 
 
 1I,tt.;^'" 
 
 
 \ ■■ 
 
 W»4- 
 

 !( 
 
 
 
 1*^! 
 
 Pi! 
 11 : 
 
 ill: 
 
 I'll 1 
 
 Ml 
 
 '7-4 
 
 to interpret words as the interest of their system may 
 "require; they must be understood literally, when the 
 literal sense abets the fond opinion ; but they are al- 
 lowed a figifrative meaning, if that best suits. Can- 
 dour, that is anxious to ascertain the truth, will care- 
 fully guard against this unfair mode of proceeding, 
 and not to be misled, will consult the calm and dog- 
 matical discourses of the fathers. When they deliver 
 themselves in a cool strain of language, and speak 
 dogmatically ; they are then to be considered as fixing 
 the strict sense of all animated speeches on the same 
 subject. 
 
 A few passages from the writers of Christian anti- 
 quity win furnish full 'evidence that when tlie sacra- 
 ment was in those days called the body of Christ, no- 
 thing more was understood than that it was a typical 
 and synibolical body. 
 
 The learned Austin thus speaks; « If the sacrament 
 " had not some resemblance of those things, whereof 
 " they are sacrapients; they would be no sacraments 
 "at all: but from' the resemblance they bear, they 
 " generally receive the names of the very things. As 
 " ^^^gf^®'^^ *he sacrament of the body of Christ is in 
 " soMfe sense Christ's body, and the sacrament of his 
 blood, is the blood of Christ; so the sacrament of 
 faith, is faith. , As of baptism itself, the Apostle says, 
 we have been buried with Christ by baptism into 
 death; he does not say, we signify a burial, but 
 plainly says, we have been buried. The sacrament 
 " therefore of so great a thing, Jje calls by no other 
 " name, than that of the thing itself."* The same 
 
 *Sieniin sacramenta quandam ^litudinem tanm. rerum, quarum sacra- 
 tMnta sunt, non haberent : omnino sacramenta noM^t : ex hac autem simili- 
 tudme pifrumfie tttam ipiarum reruHi nominaJ^Ku^t. Sicuti ergo secun- 
 aum quemdam modum sac^amntumcorporiiCJ^BIlwpuf Chrifii eft, sacra. 
 «««<«« ««^«,„„ Chrifti, sun0is Chrifii eft y iifsacramentum fidci fides eft. 
 incut de ipsobaptumum in mortem, non ait, sepulturam stgniftcamus, sedprorsus 
 
 ^LT*^" J""?"^* ,^''.'T'"»«'"«w (rg0 tanjK rei, non nisi ejusdcm rd 
 PKotHhnunf&pmf, f£piftola»^.J % 
 
 «< 
 
 «< 
 
 <( 
 
 *6 
 
 *t 
 
 ii 
 
 it 
 
 
 U^ 
 
J^ather in hrs treatise de docM,m rL- .■ 
 f passages ofsnch peS "v tS T ' "*'*' 
 cannot be ,„istaken. « And havlnlf. . ^/..'"^^"'°« 
 " mentpf his bodv anrl k^I i . ^ '^"^'' ">« sacra- 
 " P"r,/ed."» ^ ^ ""°''' ''« ^'gnified what he 
 
 r at; ^^:Z^^t^^^r or vene^te, 
 " wl.Qse force and si^ If \^ ^"■'"*' authority, 
 " not venerate that Sht'"." ''" "•!f^'^««"ds: do5 
 "but rather the ob erf f^ '^. ?een and passeth away; 
 " be .Viferred S.,ram"r''''''- '5" ^T'' """«' are to 
 
 :: « few institutions1„s":ri:anrL:^'' ^T- ^"^ 
 
 very easy to be nerfnr Jlj j •'^' ■"" '"^h as are 
 " their significatfon »nT .: ''"'' f *' ""^^ aug,„t in 
 
 ■• Worn ""test'"'''""* • .piS 
 
 vile weakness. WhateverYn if i ^ . ^V^ ^ ^er^ 
 
 t Qttt vera aut c WmiHw ^, » ■ I -'f. 
 m^mitati^€A,^^d^^^^l'°J^^ a^ni,.., ^.^ k 
 
 C 
 
 114^. 
 
 %*, 
 
I 
 
 %: 
 
 
 'ih'- 
 
 i - 
 
 
 16 
 
 % 
 
 ?4fe 
 
 ff of God and our neighbour, the truth of faith concern* 
 ** the knowledge of God, and of our neijjjjhour, ' 
 
 On perusing these passages of St. Austin, candoin- 
 must owi) that it is evident he did not beheve that the 
 jclements of the sacraYnent were substantially changed 
 into the real body of Christ; and we may justly infer 
 Jh^t the Fathers,who lived at a still earlier period,had 
 no such idea in their raind,though they frequently call 
 the sqcramenttl>e body and blood of Christ. The first 
 believers were spiritu^ men; their minds were freed 
 from earthly servitf^de, and they knew that the words 
 of Christ wpfngto be understood spiritually. Hence 
 they did hot misapprehend their venerable teachers 
 pn hearing them say that the bread and' wine %f the 
 sacrament Wf&rfs the b<3^y and blood of their Redeem- 
 pr,— They had a just ndtion of '4- saprameht, and were 
 pot misled by similarity of expression. Though the 
 piim'e of thp thins ^j^s given tq the sj^cred sign; yet 
 they ^i9pe not led i^ any erroneous conception by 
 the figurativjB expres»j; they fully undei-stood the 
 force and ^ignificatipii^the useful sign that h^d been 
 instituted by Divine an|^ity, and revered with spi- 
 ritual freedom what is seen^^c^ passeth away. 
 
 Tfo strehgthen the evidence^tiquity gives against 
 the doctrine of the real presence and trausubstantis^- 
 •tion, we will consult pther Fathers. 
 , ^.Vypr'mn in his epistle on| the sacrament of the 
 •cup s^y^; ** I wish you to know that we are admonishr 
 ?* ed to keef) the tradiUog^l^jour Lord in offering the 
 f (Stf()yj8id not tilHo^thenvise than our Lord fii-st did 
 ^* for^ws; tp offer the cup that is offered in commemor 
 ^'* ration of him, mixt with w'm§,. For as Christ says^ 
 *^ I am the true vine, the blood pf Christ is certainly 
 "not water, but wine; nor can the blood of Christ, 
 f*' with which we are redeemeid and vivified, seem to 
 ^* be in the cup, when there is no wine, by which the 
 
 . ;_ ~ M^ — — -^■.— — — — - - — — ■**; 
 
 ^Tblood of Christ is representecf.* 
 
 S 4dmnito^ autem not 4cias, u4 in infiec oJ<rendo Dem^nica traditio serve* 
 
 a 
 
 it 
 
 u 
 
 (( 
 
 * 
 
% 
 
 roncerns 
 
 candour 
 that the 
 changed 
 tly infer 
 iodjhad 
 ntly call 
 rhe first 
 rp freed 
 e words 
 Hence 
 teachers 
 Bl)f the 
 ledeem- 
 nd were 
 ugh the 
 gii; yet 
 >tion by 
 K)d the. 
 id been 
 ith gpir 
 
 against 
 $tiinti£^- 
 
 of the 
 nonishr 
 ing the 
 irst did 
 memot 
 st saysj 
 ;rt{|inly 
 Christy 
 eem to 
 ich th(^ 
 
 litio scroi» 
 
 77 
 
 ■V-5^ 
 
 ," places 1,6 oZ^dUM^.T '"''*" f'""'"'' '" s°«'e* 
 " n-'t express th:"bi." .d^mll's^i*' '"'"'^'"•'""^ "^-^ 
 
 *' Christ k she^jW^j: ' "^' ''^ '^^ "'"e the blood of 
 
 Let us now hear Tertnlliiji. rri i 
 ^' cannot call i„ quesHon tlt^r "' 'T 'P^''''"= " "« 
 
 " said Aat he «asdccei ^H ! ^ f"P"^'^'i • ''-'st it be 
 
 '' Patli^r, bearing, fl.?irf?;^^''"«''''''e voice of his 
 
 in another place he si re « ^u u , 
 • " made his own body saZ^ . • '""'^'"l '"= *°<* he 
 " to sa, the figure o7'J7bof;''r " '"^ ^°''^' "'«' *' 
 
 *^ 
 
(^tjk--. 
 
 '■#• 
 
 
 
 w" 
 
 78 
 
 « 
 
 « 
 
 « 
 
 He has likewise these words; " calling the bread 
 " his body, that we might thereby understand that he 
 ** made bread the figure of his body."* 
 
 Theodoret in his fii-st Dialogue thus makes Ortlm- 
 doxus, who delivei-s the tiue Christian Itith, answer 
 Eranistis: Onth. " Our Saviour changed the names, 
 " and gave to his body the name of the symbol; and 
 ♦^ to the symbol the name of his body. Thus as he 
 " called himself the vine, he called the symbol his 
 ** blood.' 
 
 Eran. " Thou hast indeed said right, but 1 could 
 wish to know the cause of the change of the names." 
 Orth. " To those who are initiated into the Divine 
 mysteries, the reason must appear evident; for he 
 wished that those, who partake of the Divine mys- 
 teries, would not attend to the nature of those things, 
 " that are seen; but by the change of the names be^ 
 ♦' lievc the change that is wrought by grace, for he, 
 " that called what is by nature a body, wheat, and 
 ** bread, hon_Q|ired the visible symbol with the appeU 
 ♦' jation of his body and blood, not changing nature, 
 ** but adding grace to nature/'f 
 
 Any further quotation is unnecessary. If we peruse 
 the writings of the venerable characters of antiquity 
 with an eye to the spirit of the letter, we shall find them 
 all URanimous on the subject. The few testimonies we 
 have adduced will satisfy the impj^rtial man, and de- 
 termine the judgment of the candid inquirer after 
 
 ♦ Fanm corpus suum appeUans, ut hint jam eum inteUigof corporis sui 
 /guran dedijfe. (Lib. 3. con. Marci. cap. xg.J 
 
 + Orth. Salvator autetn nojler nomina permutavit, et corpori quidtm symboli 
 momen imposuit, tt syyibolo nomen corporis. Sic cum se vitem nomin£^etk,sym. 
 kotum sanguinem appeUavijt., . \kT'^ 
 
 f.ran. Htee quidem verf dixijli: vclkm autm permutatiMs timinum 
 tausas discere. ^^r^ ^ 
 
 Orth. Manifijlus eft scopus its, qui divinis sunt initiati ; voluit enimeos,qui 
 4ivtna nyfteria participant^ non attendere ad naturam eorum, qua cemuntur: 
 f^pernominum mitationem, mutationi qua ex gratia jaa a eft, cr edere s qui 
 fnim ^juodhatufa corpus eft^frumentum el panevidppeUdvit, is visiBiUa^m- 
 0ola corporis, et sanguinis sui appeliatione honoravit, non naturam mutans, sed 
 £Wtunn ndtur'ea adjiciens, ^ 
 
 / 
 
e bread 
 
 I that he 
 
 i Ortlio- 
 answcr 
 names, 
 oil and 
 IS as he 
 ibol his 
 
 1 could 
 ames/' 
 
 Divine 
 ; for he 
 le mys- 
 
 things, 
 nes be- 
 
 for he, 
 it, and 
 
 appeU 
 nature, 
 
 peruse 
 tiquity 
 d tliem 
 
 mtnuni 
 
 meos,qui 
 rnuntur; 
 itre J 
 
 hiha sym' 
 
 WRSest on the fi.« penisal K^^? • ?' *''?" '^'"" they 
 
 «.bUe can either inSat or de^Tr""'' ^^r^^ 
 and by every rule nf c,.,.« J - oestioy their evidence- 
 
 plain ihe oILrilthenhe? '"'T '^'^ *''°"W «-' 
 point; these must drter'ino'h" °" "'"'»"'«' 
 guous expressions they mav , ^ ""P°P ^"^ "" ^mbi- 
 o'tl-eir eloquence. Ss^Z," '*' '" "^^ abundance 
 be laid on words; the let e ma^r f '""*? »''°"W not 
 d'sccnmient of the undeALnHf '"'-^ """ "-"th. the 
 criniinate bet,veen C a ve"uu?„?""'. ^'"''^'""''^ ^ 
 be nhoUy intent on extract! rthi'''^S"'''S^' «"d 
 J" all otMi,K,„i,ies alfer rnti^^f.''"^ »P'"tual essence: 
 son shonW niver be dC^ ,ed ' 1H'^^"°"« "^ '^^V 
 to listen to the voice ofthn r r ."^ '""^e reftse 
 appointed to -n.ide u" u'^ |' Xt"e ' -i" «?■«''-"'•«» 
 betrayed intomor. Tl e Itevlr *''*''"i^,jn«'ed, and 
 
 not desig„e<l to s„p,„es, f. «•'",'" "*■ "^»*«" "'e-e 
 t 'ey give it an inc. .^ e f ^...^f.''^ "' .'*««on; nay 
 
 '.".gs. The light the Gospel S^stt"^;^ ""° 'P'"""'' 
 'arges our view, and ininro « „?' r ' '" "P"" "«• en- 
 fo as to enable them to n ■ ke ° " '''^'^^'"■""'g feculties, 
 knowledge of God n, ? > "'"'■' a<'vances in the 
 leney of 1)iv1„e wtfom '''''"'■'^'' '"™* "''""e excel! 
 
 "VVrong not the Christian; Reason's also K- ' 
 
 I IS reason our Great Mo.fr u ?j ° "^ 
 
 ThroughreasonwSifXli;-".^ 
 
 , Sound reason is fully ^nsiK ^'s''* noughts'. 
 thmgs beyond its di«;m4v 'of Jh h"'*"^ ""^ "'"'V 
 
 ™. *ae^wordofefernmirmh fh;..«o ^v-f**^^ heaven.—- 
 
 « 
 « 
 
 and that the spirit ^Gndiir^ "'".' «'« »<« seen, 
 lieved. Whetfwe hea^aloicSS' ™"j' *" "•=- 
 
 
 
 
 n^ / > 
 
Fath^V ; a l^caclicr^ in whose person all the predic'tioks 
 of ancient prophecies ape accomplished, and who dis- 
 plays to the world unquestionable credentials of his 
 Bivine mission; we listen in respectful^ ancl assentuio- 
 silence to the words he delivers. JVe know, that Jest7s 
 ts comt a Teacher from God, far no one can do the mira-^ 
 cles he did, eacej>t God be with him. Though we com- 
 prehend not the mysteries hc discloseth, stilly he that 
 Cometh fram^ Heaven is above all, and what h^ath seen, 
 and heardi that he tetitijieth, and his testinionv^ is a full 
 evidence of the truth. 'J'he narrow, ajid verv limited 
 undei-standing of mortals has nothing to reply fo the 
 words of the 'J'eacher from God, for Jesus speaketh of 
 
 . ^ tltings, that no man hatb seen ; but, rcstin<r with full 
 confidence ontlie word of the infallible Revealer, be- 
 lieves, aAd brings intd captivity every thouQht is the 
 otfedierice of Christ. Reason is well aware, that if it 
 presumes to speak, according, to its contracted sense 
 of thini|;;8, on the mysteries'of Meavf^n, it exposes itself 
 to prattle foolishnessj if vil] th^refoVe impose silence 
 on Its faculties, and accpjiescjp wiih the inost imj)licit 
 deference m the irianiifest^tioBs |hat are made fVom ' 
 al^e. But, witlM'e^rd to iearthly things, t» exterior 
 ordinances, that m m^XiXexX to aid .and assist human 
 
 i weakness, the natu^M»t we are possessed of* is ful I y 
 sufficient to disclose the truth, and reason here may 
 
 » freely exert its scrutinizing faculty, and, dictate to the 
 mind what tp admit* and what to reject 
 
 The question now arises, if the cjoctrine oi the real 
 presence, and transubstantiation be erroneous, wheiibe 
 does it derive it« origin, and'thow did it gain credit in 
 ,th^ world? \^^ ..*•'. . . . 
 
 _ DuriAg the dark niglA of igfer^ce, ayd 'superslti- 
 tion, when tlie use of i^s^n^Avas suppressed, and thcj 
 '^^"^^". '*""^ '^' ^^ ^^<^¥P'cd withjts own imagingtiong, 
 m^y errors sprang Hli, and obtained public^sanetion. 
 -An^or once established in religiou* mattera, is entail- 
 iBjpft s^cce^^ng generations; posterity is ^asltfv^lJ 
 
 wtnvi 
 
81 
 
 po'nf of doct,ine\he ' e'^ ,r"''".^!»g?s- Whatever 
 •■f !-. P"< its seal to, is rSeredT''"; °' '^^ "S"^' •"^'^ 
 ptfauh; whatever observMce it m, .^ *•■"'''' '"article, 
 "s added to the essential nnin '"^y^''^^ consecrated, 
 g'on of after a-^es is h"if ■ "'^P'^'^', -and the reli- 
 deviocsofothe;;" ErSlhuln"',' ''" — ts and 
 f-pon abuse; and the^i do, .ft ",' "P°" "'"''' ''^"se 
 lowed to revise knd reform" "'" "S"^' '^ n^' a'- 
 
 find, on'irkin?;:;,;Tl'''<= ">eatre of the world, we 
 
 of things establisher.n.o u."::"^ "T' ^""""^ ^^^'^ms 
 
 not always be easy ^, ?,"'^ ?;""'"' T''T <^''«'" '' "'ay 
 
 out when, and how the/um4V '^/ff''^^'"" '° P"""' 
 
 tions, and assnmed e slnnl " '''^"^"' modifica- 
 
 f --St,!), o„ beinVnevtrii;?!: '"'='' t^^-'-PP*^'''- '<> 
 
 «lgeofh„n,an a&ir , we J^'l'^?:;/ ". theknow- 
 
 'licy havQ gone throi-U n,^-^ J "s'lj;:- presume, that 
 
 ■ fi'st birth, ^-ime Z^ " nf ""'?,""'*« »i"ce th.ir 
 
 ~^<i hy circumstances ft le "^ k* '"'•""' ™'*«"«'y fram- 
 «f.view, and the apUw o^![!^ '" '''''^'-^''t Points 
 object that ariseth to d£.!r' ^'""S^ varies. Kvery 
 «'"rld, as it advanceth.hr' "" °" "'« ''""^on of the 
 
 temper and cha'acS '3|!?r''?"^"^'''''*^'-«^"' 
 d-ums, and is seen in v'ario ,?.l *"-.^ '''"^'cnt mtf- 
 
 particular object, ."aU 'an old 'f" ^ ^."'^ "'^^ta-'y 
 and should b^e prompted bv I "'^'''' '" "'" "^Id: 
 >vhenceitcamc=andfnil^ curiosity to investigate 
 
 jt '"ay have exp^^^e^SVr "'/"■'= ^'-^-^i*^^^^^ i' 
 '"St in the darS,7a,Kl c "„ *f«;^''«.«il^ be often * 
 
 We rn^ydiscflver it be b e^X23f?''^ ^""I^ <^ ''gcs.-^ 
 ^ "f "'^r and upon its p'^^' 3^^^^ 'fo the shade,, 
 
 ^Dnnng the long nSf LT?*'' able to recogniSt ^ 
 * ■V • ^ • ' . ■ M. '■ . ''*°" "■''5 slumbcr- 
 
 ■*& ■■■; '■ ■ ' • 1,' •• ■ ■ ■ • J 
 
 >«*., 
 
i 
 
 r 
 iii'' 
 
 I'''' 
 
 iri' 
 
 i'i 
 
 i 
 
 82 , 
 
 ing,the imagination teemed with phantoms, and clonds 
 of mean conceits gathered, that darkened truth, and 
 gave men eiTon^ous conceptions of things. For in- 
 stance, we observe the Sacrament of the New Cove- 
 nant during theTn-st pure ages of Christianity, in its 
 primitive shape, venerable for its simplicity, and aw- 
 ful signification ; but, after it has passed through the 
 dark ages, we are astonished at the change of com- 
 plexion; and though we may not be able to ascertain 
 how things were managed in the dark ; still, by com- 
 paring the object, as it appears after the lapse of time, 
 with its original form ; we may be satisfied whether it 
 has sustained any alteration. However difficult ; it 
 may not prove an unsuccessful task, on a close and 
 attentive examination of things, to point out the time 
 "when a change in doctrine, with respect to the Sacra- 
 ment of the body and blood of Christ, insensibly be- 
 gan, and acquired a firm footing in the. world. 
 
 We must here premise some remarks on the nature 
 of the human mind. The public, as well as the pri- 
 vate mind is always advancing in improvement, and 
 knowledge; or sliding back into ignorance. There is 
 no fixt state in which it perpetually remains; but it is 
 naturally progressive. One degree of improvement 
 prepares it for a superior one; and it proceeds till it 
 has reached the height of 'human perfection ,' from 
 which it gradually relapses, till it sinks to the lowest 
 pitch of ignorance and barbarism. There is an ulti- 
 mate point of exaltation, as well as of depression, from 
 which human affairs naturally return in a contrary 
 progress, and beyond which they seldom pass, either 
 in their advancement, or decline. 
 
 The short life of aii individual, is the mirviature jof 
 the life of ages, Attend to the progress of the mind 
 through the period of one man's life. It ma3\be ob- 
 "Served, t h at it impefcepttfaly enlarges and improves 
 its views, till it arrives to its summit. When it has at- 
 tained that point, it stops; and on a retrospect of tli^ 
 
 r ■ '» 
 
nd cloucfs 
 uth, and 
 For in- 
 ew Covfe- 
 ity, in its 
 , and aw- 
 ougli tlie 
 
 of corn- 
 ascertain 
 
 by com- 
 3 of time, 
 whether it 
 ficult; it 
 :Iose and 
 
 the time 
 le Sacra- 
 si bly be- 
 d. 
 
 le nature 
 5 the pri- 
 lent, and 
 There is 
 
 but it is 
 ovement 
 xls till it 
 •n; from 
 le lowest 
 > an ulti- 
 on, froin 
 contrary 
 iSf either 
 
 iature jof 
 he mind 
 j\be ob- 
 
 
 » 
 
 n^fll^J^i'^''""' '''^y ''^™^^^ the strikincr variations 
 of the different stages; but the transitions fi^m one de! 
 giee of improrement to another, elude notir^ Tf 
 
 re'stt^et^^rTT': ^'^' ^"^ "tr wha ^^ 
 what a sensible difterenref IVhlJ "^ , , / "^^"^^^od; 
 
 m^nt and improvement, till he comes to tho h^ili/f f ' 
 . human perfection, to that solidirrfTudl^f / 
 
 mstne^ f^hought. that is the portionSS a "e 
 
 ,if no obstacle obstruct the advancement t? • j "^; 
 
 , move on silently, and slothnnr to v^^^^^ m'" 
 
 BO stir or bustle espenenced in the advancement 
 Self-love may, mdeed, retard the pro-rcss of —7 
 
 mental to our mtcrest, Should we even sec he/t^r 
 things; yet such is the influence of self-love n.»f*i 
 understanding is biased to ej^t it^ n«enuitV i fn^r 
 
 m,Z2 , '"""' """> established praoticel— ' 
 
 "Wac ue maaeTor ODQos ti<m ™;„,i :._.„'■." "■■' 
 
 cZZf " • ' "'• opposition raised, it genera IvnZ 
 oeeds^^froin mterest and aelt-love. Where nehr.^^' 
 ihese dfihcate |^u.cipl« are hurt, the specuSe I.^:! ^ 
 
 ■> 
 
 '71^; 
 
 
 .' M 
 
 •• ,: ;i| 
 
It 
 
 
 i ■ 
 
 provement may come forth without any molestation i 
 and It will easily gain admittance to every mind • jind 
 settle Into its frame and hahit. There is a stated pe- 
 riod m the long life of ages, in which the public mind 
 IS ripe tor every degree of improvement man can attain 
 to; It may be clogged with various fetters, so as to ad- 
 vance but slowly; but, though Idte, it will at length 
 arrive to the height of sound knowledge. Should any 
 friendly mstructor, who, having broken his shackles 
 W^hIt '"" h'^c^temporj^ries, attempt to hasten his 
 
 ^nlltZ' r *^"^^^ *i^T ^'«"S to clearer and more 
 enlaiged discoveries; discouraging difficulties may 
 thwart his generous endeavours and frustrate tiie hi 
 nevolent design. Men hug fast the favourite objects 
 ot the mom^it; and praise them above those of any 
 otJier; time has not yet damped their ardor for then! 
 nor loosened their attachment to them; and ^..1"^ 
 noise will be .made, and a tumult excited, should vio' 
 lence be used. The sudden transition from the actua 
 d(gree of miprovement to a more advanced one • to 
 
 that cannot be made wfthout some stir in the worW 
 •In short If the mmd be not ripe, and duly prepared 
 
 ' ft Ini In^tr"''^ t'^'' "*' "^P^-«^^^»«ent, itVilI recoil, 
 rt will loathe what it cannot relish ; and abhor what i 
 not adapted to its presentstatei but tlie time will come 
 when It will approve what it once reprobatetl. Oi^e a-e 
 ^.11 refine and .improve by an imperceptible working 
 d the mind on another; what was once kdmired/and 
 highly esteemed, will be disregkrd^-d, and treated with 
 imht.erence at another period. The errors:and fbllies 
 of puerile ages, wheyi the power of ieason is weak, 
 belo : 'ih "'""^ '^"''^ r'} ^'^^PP-^r ftx),„ ^ horizon 
 belo.e the increasing hght of more improved a<.es 
 wei^ they not made to i^main beyond ^hejr riatura 
 teim, by the pri nr i ples of the heart, that 4 i a vt ? 
 
 ^cern in tht^n. Man will make every system of things 
 subservieiitto his interest. Eyery new order of thingl, 
 
 
 ». 
 
/ • '. 85 
 
 ^omention will elLe ''"""'""'' "'"-^l' ^^h and 
 
 triples act but in difibVent di7ect"im ' A f. '^""^ P""" 
 gradually opens, and ifenra ^ed J ^nen ! "'^r^P*^^' 
 dom; ,t closes and contract, -w.h , "''"'^ '° '^'^ 
 public mind underCsT«,l- "'"^ ,1"'^^""' and the 
 % destrees prepared to '"i" > '""'''fic''tioDS, and is 
 
 and in clue ^nccLtn' 'ef' "^^"' "' P^P^"- P'^^-'e. 
 istanco iH'tweert le i?.f ^''*''^ °" ''"^ "ay. The ' 
 *eing very coSdetble T "* P'='-;?«l'«ble alteration 
 
 • }''7-ttention"l' ufe''';' '' r^f^t^d^^^^ ^"?"- 
 
 looking back to discovei*.n ■ ''"""^' '""hout 
 
 . uioa that prccS 'n,V^' '-evolutions of l,u„,an opi- 
 
 ■ in; they aVe wont7<. » '^^'""'''r "«■ '^"^ «» "'''er it 
 
 and praaic:s thS hu eXb!;2''r"^- '!'" ^"""P'^ 
 
 the trouble to in<,«ire into h i '■ """'""' ''^"'8 »' 
 
 .fo";me<l in tl.eir tCur and a ll^'f " = P^:)"'"*^<=' ">o 
 
 Jrfheir support As tlm -.f "'' '^'^^"' '* Sn5"?C(l ia 
 
 ditrcrenEs of tl e , , '' T" ''^^''""W"'*^ between 
 
 tion, seeing Ihrl 'lis "nrr,^^ = 'I"-' ="'";" S"-ra- 
 dily imagines it L, thl . P-" t'calar mtcWnni, rea- • 
 
 fim open^ed upL 1 tT7 T""" •"■ 'f' "' "'"^e «lm 
 
 »ance the mind Icf to k t^ '"T''' '^'"'"^'^ '"■'••""n'<^- 
 
 . 'n the object; the eyfouiekTuT"'' '■'''* P''«''''^« 
 
 Hew appearan;e. ^ 1"'^'^^<'^i'st3 itself tQ (|t« 
 
 It requires some eJtraordinSi event, TV, - . 
 must be arrested in it., „„» .^^ eient: Jhe.m nd 
 
 . tion djvertedS dmt, r.ff 'h ^■''"'''"' "^'' "S"""^"-' ' 
 
 ■?■ ^ 
 
 ">>,- 
 
 
 
1 
 
 m 
 
 I 
 
 ?l 
 
 ^^ 
 
 ■ 8(5 * 
 
 ling at what had happened. New pnflcij)lf s were re- 
 ceived, and an inrpulse was given to the mind in a 
 different direction. 13ut, when no extraordinary revo- 
 lution takes place, the eye, tliat is exercised in the con- 
 templation (if human avail's, may reniark that all 
 events are c^mected together, and forniV an uninter- 
 rupted concatenation of causes and*eii'ects\; the effect 
 of a preceding cause becoming in its turn the cause t)t" 
 an effect that follows. 
 
 We will now come to the point. Mn epoch was fixt 
 «it the revelation of the Gospel. The light of truth was 
 then strong,^ and the impression made «» the min(i was 
 deep. But in the course of a few centuries, clouds be- 
 gan to gather from various quartei»v to vender the 
 f brightness of Divine truth dim, and weajjen its power. 
 Wisdom and learning were decaying, and. but feebly 
 exerted their influence to scatter t^nd dissipate the 
 mists of error, that are ever arising among men. The 
 bright day was obscured, and mortals were led by the 
 suggestions of their own understanding. \ 
 
 Christianity soon became the established Religion 
 of the Empire ; and as the multitude professed ity it 
 cannot be supposed, that all that Aamed the name of 
 Christ, were spiritual men that spiritually discerned 
 Divine truths; many, it may be presumed without any 
 offence to charity, had not the eyes of their under- 
 standing enlightened to discern the hidden wisdom of 
 God; but were still guided by the spirit of the world; 
 and acted on the common principles, that direct hu- 
 man conduct. Many, we may presume, were led into 
 the Church of Christ by the sanie motives that engage 
 men in every new cause, without being arrayed with 
 the wedding garment; and introduced with them tlieir 
 prejudices and imperfections; so that tlie wisdom of 
 man was mixed with the wisdom of God ; and the 
 
 -Bpirit of error was found busy in-entieHig people aw ay 
 from the truth. 
 .^ iVs Christianity spread over idolatrous nations; a 
 
87 
 
 ^ 
 
 were re- 
 >in(] in a 
 try revo- 
 the con- 
 that all 
 uninter- 
 le effect 
 cause t)f 
 
 wasfixt 
 uth was 
 lina was 
 )uds be- 
 der the 
 i power, 
 t feebly 
 ate the 
 n. The 
 l by the 
 
 Religion 
 id It,' it 
 lame of 
 scerned 
 Jilt any 
 under- 
 sdom of 
 world ; 
 ect hu- 
 ed into 
 engage 
 ;d with 
 n tlieir 
 dotn of 
 tid the 
 eaway 
 
 ons; « 
 
 tincture of paga.n diviriity soon defiled the purity of 
 the GospeM^ehgion. The custoins of paam^sm weS 
 
 duced on the fabulous notions of heathen theilocry^ 
 ajKl re a.ned m the public Religion of Christ^ns'^ - 
 
 Though he converts toCh.istian,ryabominatedtr^^^ 
 P.OUS olhesof idolatry; still, the humours of heathen 
 superstition were in.,the.ir habit ; and couW no 1 fto 
 . bpeak out m some shape, or other. The "o^Sp of 
 .the.satue« and images ^- f,lse (.'ods was, l7Zth 
 rejected and reprobated; but the hcmiage pa d"o ihem 
 was not abohslSlr it was only transferred to be tT" 
 tues and images of men that had rendered tl?emseh^' ■ 
 eimnent tor Christian piety; the object^o t^ sn n^ 
 
 ofrel,gionseeme(lchic% to be changed. Me^S at 
 had been accustomed to the numerous rites ancl ce e' 
 momes ot pagan worship, could not confine themsdvl 
 
 gZ'i ''"^"■"'''^'"" ""^' ^^"^^"^^ ordinances of t\^ 
 Gokpel; many practices, which the imaoination mad^ 
 to bear a^'stical and allegorical sigmficaiion er^ 
 
 n«rJf '.T""" ^'"'^ "^P"^"^' "■■'''■'' "as "' the first a<res 
 7-!?"ShtAe battles of the Lonl ; and had s4led the 
 
 fnn nf -^'rf ^'* ""^'^ ^''""^' P'-'^'' later an ^ca! 
 sion of idolatrous superetition. To celebrate tl^e re 
 wenibrance of the v.rtues of hoIy-™e,^ maybe iX 
 to animate p.ety, and stimulate resolut^m to the prac- 
 ?.ceof those actions, thata«; venerated in otbens- b« 
 It ,s exposed to. sad abuses and conupti*,s Thl 
 rtrmes ot Saint, soon become the objec' orthe mu 
 titudes won.htp. It is difficult, not to' say impSe 
 for men, especally when faUin» into <l<4eneracv t^' 
 ^^Jheir^nds^b ove sensuaro h je c. H ^ c" nod- nV^ 
 
 have ever r,ewa,led the wretched sia^ry of he ^i" 
 by wlucl. u ,s held down to earthly thin^. a„d S 
 renders U extremely hard to direct the ^% ofWem- 
 
\:M 
 
 
 > 
 
 
 88 
 
 I - ■ 
 
 , I 
 
 tkey seldom go beyond wl.at is oxhibitXo ^hl\, 
 senses, and soon pay a superstitions hon.aJI sent^l 
 
 a^^rbed pubhc attction, and Christian Ci>u,ch"l4re 
 filled with shrines of nlfe„, whom religious enthusiasm 
 ■had raised into objects "f veneiatioi.rafwhTch cS 
 of votaries flocked to prostrate, and .tfer homage and 
 worship. Legendary tales entertained theircZstt. 
 and nourished their snpei^tition. Nothi^^ wZm e' 
 ftl to the devotees, but the recital of stoi« of Ibtt 
 and imaginary miracles of perhaps ima^iSiy Sai, t ' 
 Their depraved taste could not endure sound doctrine 
 
 11^ meanEro<luctio„softhcdebasedand ti fit's™lt 
 of the times were only attended to, while the mfreS 
 
 sublime doctrines of the Gospel were imheedp,! t I 
 almost effaced from the publii^mind 'IW sadabu'^ 
 se. crept in by degrees into the visible Chut.h,.f 
 
 ^_ est lieight of folly-and absurdity. ' " 
 
 At the beginning of the eighth centurv, the Dub 
 1.0 mind had l<wig turapd its lenitli of perfec .n Cl 
 .was already far on its decline. The »Zhi> o Sa.^ 
 
 excesses ot it, that an eflfort was made^to reform »n,l 
 destroy abu^es-fcfiaf were so injurious to trnTRefefon 
 1 he Emperor of\he East, Leo, in the year ?27"hav' 
 in^assetnWed the people, said publici, that lo make" 
 jmages was an act of idolatry, "and thiUonsequent! 
 ly they ought not to adore them."* By an edict in 
 the ysar 730 he prohibited tW worship Jf tblm fii' 
 the evil had taken too-d.iep root to be removed ■ the 
 attachment of the people to the idols dt^Zir super 
 stU|on_was too strong to be overcome by an exS 
 
 
 unaBe 
 
 '' i 
 
 » »i 
 
 r.# 
 
 .(. 
 
 V 
 
 ages, 'ftoi^M 
 
 k pTvi, 
 
 
 1^' • '• 
 
 /^ 
 
 \it^- ' .' : 
 
 \, 2 
 
 
 '1 
 
 •■^i^'^i 
 
89 
 
 of authority. Many Bishops of the East «nroved the 
 Emperors sentiments, and applauded his^eal wh«f 
 others condemned him. The Church was diWded into 
 part.es on the subject. The cause of the imL^, had 
 many zealous advocates, who employed The® whole 
 power of their abilities in defending it ApoS 
 were drawn up to vindicate the worefip of them f^™ 
 an imputation rf idoratry; but the/ were drawn ud 
 a,cdordmg to the speculative views of the underetlnT 
 ng, abstracting from the abuses that pre^ded i^p,^: ' 
 tice The views of the underatanding' may pSy b^ 
 good; Kt when realized in.practiek th^vTon fall 
 
 sub! litv l^r'^"'''"" *">' had1n Vm^ind it 
 Z^ [^,f '*"•'"''" ""' '"^y ""^Sne on all corruptions^ 
 and set them in a spacious point of view; but then' 
 
 wf WL ''^^'"•""'es that attend them in real 
 
 he. \Vhen men of genius and address untertafcrto 
 
 pEiwe'wdrh.°/r p;r'""s '*"'«• "hat^t : 
 
 plausible Will be said on the occas on: the foibiHJin„ 
 features will be so softened down, and&az^ "f 
 
 I faturab^^it '' ^"°^"^ !W bejed ^LnS 
 V lavourably of it. In examining public -iw^ctirp.! «,« 
 
 must not forget that men do no! always^^elkWe 
 
 to the pure principles of refinement; but tKe a? 
 
 . ^f'^fPns of tlie heart, and the wantonness of the fmt 
 
 toctei'ot life: and to h£^v8 a just estimate of them, we 
 should view them in their true colours, in their^Jn 
 Wpearance, witJiout either embellishing, orSS 
 *em. Eminent men among the Gintiles in S 
 days, when the light of the <3ospel bad exp<^^d tte 
 absurdity of the follies the world had hitS been 
 
 fc''^Vn,"rP*"^.^° "i!'^^^ 'he doctrin^of Po^ 
 tl iei s m. They cou» iderg#ffemim».i>^...:¥-:i.- /• w ""J^ 
 
 ? 
 
 f 
 
 
 thfM m^ ^W considered-themnneRtasMbeof iS 
 D^jn.t.«, as so many attributes of theoneSove^Ign 
 Deity, that tpkd the world. According to theX 
 
 . . .' M ■■ " " ■ " 
 
 
 \ 
 
I'lK 
 
 r 
 
 I 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 II 
 
 -.ji 
 
 foment manifestations of hispower, and beneficence to 
 
 WHt under different respects. Mare disposing of tlie 
 fete of war; Neptune holding the Empir^of the sej^- 
 Ceres impregnatSa' the Earth, and giving plenTifui 
 harvests; was the Great God manifesting hfs pCn 
 diiftreBt,ways. So that by adoring Mais, thly wou d 
 have one think they directed theif worship toX one 
 Ood Optimus, Maximm, that disposeth of the fale of 
 armies, and is the Lord of hosts ;'^ by paving homage 
 to Neptune, they worshipped that all-p'o4tfu S 
 ^ho raises, and stUls tempests at pleasKy hS 
 
 St.rC ■'•'""'"'■" ™'^"' ""»' "'^^^' the earth 
 yied its fruit m due season, and fills every creature 
 
 with his blessings: the like they said of the o£her nT 
 nj^^nal divinities. Under dlifferent names, they adored 
 and worshipped the providence of one Supreme Bein^ 
 rn^e visibfe to men in different manners!^' This maf 
 ffilfi ** ''''"■'r"l '■''P''f '•'"*^''°" Of Paganism; still 
 «eS TT^ "'"P"^'''^ '"'"'^ ^y """neans us " 
 httt 'f'^'."«S""'"°n 9' the heathens, theri ex- 
 Jsted as many divine persons, as thete were names in 
 their mythology. The multitude in all ages are to a 
 great degree governed by the senses, by tKe imarina 
 t.on„ and the feelings of the heartn Dure specuE 
 apprehemions of things have but li&e influence o^ 
 thw conduct In the silence of thfe closet, men of 
 8tudy and reflection may soar above vulgar weiudi 
 cies, and have different views from the muLude- but 
 their speculations will not alter the natural character 
 of men When practices have obtaingd, thatSn 
 genial to human weakness, reason is not consumed ud- 
 on them; but, men from the impulse of the helrt aTd 
 suggestions of a heated imagination, are giddHy hur- 
 
 fXltCu T'r * ''""'' l"*? ^'""'g attachments 
 evLfL„ •" \"'^'/'',«^* ^^^ fondness. What- 
 .ever thea way be said that is spacious by the defen. 
 
■ 91 
 
 abuses; and Lt a Tustitd bvr''''''''-"''"^ '""" "» 
 "f tl,e times "* J"*"''^^ by the common practic» 
 
 to .eligbns Teivice No J,T'"?"' ^^^ '"t™d"^'ed in- 
 absolule wo.-6hip of adorn '"'']•''!' "' '^^"'"^' "'"l 
 schoolmen a^lI/;,° if !u" ?^ ''""""'■' ""d what 
 
 wlich he prostrates rf I ^""'' ^'f "''J'^'^t' 'before 
 
 there; ,he'^^matt;ol^'"'"°[''?^'^r™''''n =>'"?' 
 superetition and tl rn,"^ I "5'1'' ,''^ "'^ '-■'""■"'s of 
 soLethinlDivi^erS™ "' '%f' "d'=d »<> ^'ncy that 
 
 men ma y distin^u sh ^.ffJ : '.^T"'*''' ""^^'^^ '"^h«"l- 
 season of SoTn^ere f^K * ^''l' "^ ''"'^''ip; in the 
 
 no difference °hen can be ^. """"'f ''''"' '""""''• ^f 
 great danger from t?r , ^"'"'''^^i' or if there be 
 
 ienei^lfty^of me" nrZf""^/r'™''"">'' '^at the 
 tion of the mind whi„ »° difference in tj,e affec- 
 
 and is pourh, "h^self ont™^^ ^"^ ''^''Si""' 'ervour, 
 should be he d out h vl '." "" ^^'°"' ''"'''''1'= "°*'"« 
 worship, but the o„e-^tr^''S'™', '?■ '^^^ive l.omage and 
 
 of holiness whi7T ' ■"" """■'"''* ^ ^e their decree 
 FaJse into temp es^a'-nd'::^ '^7^'" T'"''''^^^ou& of 
 religious worship .'nnnt'^^^i^ u" ?"^'^ '<^ '•«'^eive 
 
 little in their thnnXf /? ^-"r" "^ eternity, will be 
 
 and the zeal S hil* T'*^^ ,"'"> "^^^'^'^'^^'i' 
 mattei-s_i will elapo a e " 1 ? ^'".P'">'f'l °n "-ei ghtier 
 
■a. 
 
 ^. 
 
 \ 
 
 'f *II;'«A 
 
 ^ -j4, 
 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 X ■- 
 
 V 
 
 *'':"i- . 
 
 
 J* 
 
 
« 
 
 
 A> 
 
 1.^55^ •« jY ^^ I. 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 w. 
 
 ;/ '■ 
 
 LO 
 
 I.I 
 
 11.25 
 
 125 
 
 US ^ "^ 
 y* Ki 12.2 
 
 £f l£& 12.0 
 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 .Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 33 WIST MAIN STRtIT 
 
 WtBSTIR,N.Y. USSO 
 
 (716) •73-4503 
 
 '4tfS 
 
 I 
 
p 
 
 / 
 
92 
 
 ^- 
 
 ■N 1 
 
 I 
 
 Highiti holiness and rigliteousness; this service (he 
 indolence and dissipation of mind the natural man 
 feels with regard to spiritual things, will render him 
 averse to; and, ifreliirion indulge human weakness 
 and accommodate itstlf to the natural disposition of 
 mortals, by holding forth visible objects, and prescri- 
 bing the performance of dissipating ceremonies; the 
 religious sentiments of mankind will soon be perver- 
 ted; and they will slide into idolatry and superstition, 
 ^othmg then should obtainf^admittancfe into temples, 
 but what has a tendency to solemnize the soul, ancj 
 assist it to contemplate heavenly things; every object 
 should be removed that can draw off attention from 
 trod, and engage the honor and glory that are due 
 only to him; the great aim of religious service should 
 .be to refipe the thoughts of mpn fronv earthly preju- 
 dices; and ennoble them with divine wisdom and truth- 
 its, solicitude shoulcl be directed to kindle in their 
 lieartsa glow of devotion ; it should 1^ anxious to 
 ^ cherish It by a display of the excellent greatness of 
 the wonders and judgments of the Almighty, and by 
 commemorating the rich mercies of God our Saviour, 
 excite a holy flame, that will cause an incense of praise 
 and thanksgiving to ascend, that will be grateful to 
 jieaven. 
 
 But we must return from this digression and advert 
 ^ the state of public religion in the eighth century. 
 Ihe prejudices of the Eastern and Western Church 
 were much hurt at the Emperor's attempts to destroy 
 the worship of imagps. Jn the East people revolted, 
 and attempted to dethrone him. All the West, as 
 -^^e^ Vregory the third informs the Emperor, was ex- 
 asperated against him; his statues were thrown dowq 
 and vijified ; his Provinces were laid waste by ||ie 
 liombards ^nd Sarmatians; Ravenna was taken ; Rome 
 jteeif threatened, and all Italy was in insun^rtion,— 
 
 jLIIUS men .< minrlQ t^^^^ Alr.^ i i r^ . 
 
 ^iiusmens minds were disposed when Constantinus 
 Vopronymus, Leo's successor, convened a Council in 
 
lervicc (lie 
 itiiral niun, 
 ender liiin 
 ^veakness, 
 position of 
 id prescri- 
 onies; the 
 be peryer- 
 perstition. 
 
 temples, 
 soul, anci 
 ery object 
 ition from 
 t are due 
 ce should 
 bly preju- 
 and truth; 
 
 in their 
 nxious to 
 ^^tness of 
 ', and by 
 "Saviour, 
 of praise 
 ateful to 
 
 * 
 
 1(1 advert 
 centgry. 
 
 1 Cliurch 
 J destroy 
 revolted, 
 West, as 
 , was ex- 
 vn down 
 
 by 4)ie 
 1 ; Itoihe 
 ction.^ 
 
 tantinus 
 luncil ^^ 
 
 m 
 
 mioifth Jf '"^^ ^-'"'J."^"«."°P'« to tate into coiisidc- 
 anon the l,„s,„ess of the .n.aseS. Three hundred and 
 
 " n.;;'lf ll 'if'"'" T '" "'".'■'■""''■ After a ^"g 
 u-,c<l us hom Idolatry, and has taught us to adore 
 ". sjnnt and truth; but tl,e wieked one displeased 
 » ' •- bea..ty "f tl.e Church has insensibly b= 
 ba<k Idolatry under the appearance of cliristianf.v 
 
 _ t. ke tor God a work, to wh ch they eive the mmZ 
 
 ' o Josus Christ."-(Co.«,. torn. 7.)-'n.U is aS 
 
 testnnony of the corruption of Christian^ at ,t 
 
 .ITa- .^ r f ""' ^ '"PP^'^ that,upwards of £ 
 'hundred Bishops would thus deliver t*^,emsel, es d W 
 not Idolatry, and supentitioa almost uni™ .tal^' p,^ 
 vail in public practice. •' ' 
 
 say that the only true image of Jesus Christ is tl-.at 
 which he„,ade himself, when on the eveof h s pit 
 on, he took l,rea<l, an<l blesse^it; and havin "L'^^ 
 thanks, broke It, and gave it, sayins, tqke, eatlifr th2 
 ^.""=-"" "f ^■"\tl"s is .ny body, d'o this' i'fJmVn^ 
 biance of me. To show, that he has not chosen 
 under the Heavens any o.her elements, o an y Xr 
 orm, that can represent his incarnation. And wl a[ 
 
 ^^ to show us what he has done in the nK of " 
 us incarnation; .hat as what he took of us? Lbut 
 
 " nee nor;,, mr'' ""J!^"" '">' P^-"""' -bsl"! 
 
 " .h» IV ■ ■! "'^^^,.^° addition of person /all upon 
 
 he Divinity; m hkg manner, with regard X 
 
 ""■•'Se, he l.as commanded us to otier a chosen ma - 
 
 ter, which ,s the substance of bread, but ^""0*1 
 
 mat IS to say, his hoJy image, is sanctified in a cer^ 
 
:i 
 
 \: 
 
 I 
 
 I ^:*''' 
 
 I' i 
 
 .1 
 
 n 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 94 
 
 " Pr^s wh! *7->^-^^[^^>«^ '"^d the mediation oftlie 
 '"bSfhl '"''^''' the offering, and renders e 
 Dread that was common, holv " If i« fK^M ^i i 
 says the Council, « that \t i^ll' . " proved, 
 
 " incarnation of Jesus ^I^i ^in^T T^ "!' ^^^^ 
 
 « tnmnt*> " /c •'^i "^ ^ '" '^t» Which he has taught us 
 
 tomake. -<See the actsof the Council, Cone ton 7^ 
 
 IS called he image of the natural body of JesuTcW 
 It cannot be suoDosed that fK« n . -i ''*^^ "^ Jurist. 
 
 Zor^y? /•«//„ if ^ "^ . oiead t/te t/ncure of the 
 
 ^uras oomj. It does not annp-ir th^*^ ♦! • * ^^ 
 ronrpif. K.Vf fU /"'i^ d]}pedr ttiat this was a new 
 
 inferred that the real presenc^^ and t^ir.^ , " '""^ ''* 
 were no subiectB „f hS-?„'^^'.',l"?:! "?'"''^"'"'""'°". 
 
 ^op 
 
 acquiesce 
 
 ears from the ^rX and rould t'L^"''' t"' 
 what accorded with pub ic p eiud S'a ""''"''«' ^"1 
 was excited throuc-h the Fhm?r»f tl, ^IT "P'"'"" 
 the decree of the t'ouncif t fe ' a 'AP /''"''°" "*' 
 flamed; and a fierce «ppt t!oV .llSVe'd"- ' 
 o-ee^was sternly rejecte.fas injurious oReti^^-uS 
 the Councd was branded wifh th^ r^^ * *\^"gion , and 
 
 
 V \| 
 
 ti 
 
his is what 
 i the flesh, • 
 s peculiar, 
 J the bread • 
 I J is natural 
 fiod by the 
 tionoftlie 
 Midei-s the 
 -n proved, 
 ge of th^. 
 taught us 
 ic.toni.7.) 
 - T>f* bread 
 5US Christ, 
 nld misre- 
 '<^Gt to tfie 
 age, of' the 
 as a new 
 nseof the 
 it may be 
 antiation, 
 ury. . 
 
 acquiesce 
 ned their 
 hing, but 
 &t uproar 
 ication of 
 y was'in- . 
 
 The de- 
 fion ; and 
 J epithets 
 ood forth 
 y, it was 
 5 to Hea- 
 The vio- 
 • tfiede*^ 
 arn^th of 
 oh; and 
 
 > 
 
 
 ^pi.it, a.ul truth- ondltXrto^'n';'.'"'"''' ^"'^ '» 
 honor, and worshin that ?. H . f ^'^'"™'»8e* «''e 
 Heave,, an,l EartiK' ^ °°'-' ''^ ^^e Lord of 
 
 PuijJic atterition,was non- wl-ollv t-,l-„ • , , 
 
 l-nsmoss of the iniatrrs \\\ I ' ''*^" "P ^'■"h Ae 
 K. benefit the VSr-l^T"' '"^''' "^^ "''^"'"•■eJ 
 
 -nchin. ,,lan.i:,c'u"t o, Z ^.^"^ ^ I'"'' 
 <;v<'r uas in „„j«,n „.iih the „, L ' . ' ""'' "'""- 
 '-'. Hnd ,vas listened N. v h , ." t;'';" ' "'^^ «■•»',- 
 jmxhicc any lliincr litp .,„ "I"' ''sure. \\ lioever could 
 
 l.<'a«l with rau<.r or ,L . ' '"^ "■'"■''•^'' °»'. «as 
 ■ ''!'e merits ot t hat ";Va,lfr T''"l''"> "=>' P*^ "> 
 a<lvcrtcdtowas th Hh,^ :rf' • "'"" "'" ^'"''% 
 Jigion of the tin, "wilt , , I "-''• '" *''''^'' ""^ ««- 
 "ve any advantaf^e iL"!!'''''^' ^•"'"••'•"'"^'J' ^">^W de- 
 
 and Constantinns he, son 'l -w^. '"^P"'^'' ''•-■"'■^'. 
 see of Koine; Thaias us dnt , f r I" """' '^"''^ "'« 
 En.press, and her son we,^' both"»! '"k ".°P'^- '^''«= 
 ^vorship; and Hadiianus ami 'H *-"''*"^ '° ^'^S" 
 commended it to them tL r '■*"",'7'"™'^ ■^- 
 Constantinople, in the Lr 78fi.^K T'' u^*^' '"'=' •■" 
 adhered to the deere^ of thl^' 'f '"u""^''™^'*"" - 
 held under the precSinl Fn^'^""''' •"'''» ^ad been ' ' 
 
 fit. and prudent tS le^ tlrof t. T """"'" 
 the next vear. In the me?n t? ?• "'^ Council till . 
 stances were prepared TV" "?"''''''''^ '■"•^"'"- 
 bandedjhaifoZXt wL 7p?J'''°''^' «"«' '''^--^ 
 raised a ne,v arSfv^/ arConsTaiitihople; she 
 
 n-and it. thai C7i„l."er iE?'"' J??^"^"^ ''^ '^°»'- 
 
 cause of the imae^ Th?„!l I'' •*"'' ^«'°'e'' 'o the 
 
 Jfflages, Ihings being thus prepared, 
 
 ' ^ . ■ i 
 
 ... I 
 
 V 
 
8 
 
 ♦ ; 
 
 i 
 
 
 96 . 
 
 -th^ Bishops were siimnioned to assemble at Nice in 
 Bithynia. Tiiree liundred and seventy zealots for 
 image worship met in Council.* It was easy to fore- 
 see what would be the result of the deliberations • 
 what the resolves of an assembly, that was wholly con- 
 ^ituted of the party that was decidedly for the imat^es 
 Ihe pomt benig prejudged in the disposition of Ihe 
 Council, no mi partial discussion could be expected 
 
 Tharasius open>the Council with a speech, in which 
 he moved, that those, who the preceding year had 
 opposed truth, should present themseives,\nd assign 
 their reasons; but the reasons and arguments of met) 
 who were regarded as impious, and enemies to trutli 
 could have no weight with a partial Court. The Bi- 
 shops who had opposed the woi-ship of ima^^es were 
 considered as men, that had fallen from the true faith 
 and were thought unworthy to sit with the orthodox 
 fathers; and, till they had repented of their-past cri- 
 minal conduetr and retracted their impious words 
 were not allowed to resume their sees, and occupy 
 their foFmer rank. Many of the Bishops, who had 
 been the most active in thw?irting the Council, when 
 It first met at Constaqtinople, yielding to the predo- 
 minant influence of public prejudice, submitted- re- 
 pented of what they had done, and declared they*had 
 nothing to alledge in their own defence. To stem the 
 torrent of popular error; and continue firm in oppo- 
 sition to prmciples, that are maintained, and suppor- 
 ted byallthat is most overbearing in the world, requires 
 an energy, and vigor of mind, that falls to tl^e Jot 
 only of a chosen few. ' ' ' 
 
 The cause of the images, supported by imperial 
 pow-er; and countenanced by grave authority, trium- 
 phed; and the multitude was confirmed in their folly 
 and eiTor. ^he profession of faith, that was drawn 
 
 upon the occasion, was acceded to by all. The PopeY 
 
 ti 
 
^ at Nice in 
 zealots tor 
 ?asy to fore- 
 liberations ; 
 whoUj^ con- 
 tlie images, 
 ition of the 
 expected. 
 Ii, in which 
 5 .year had 
 and assign 
 nts of men, 
 ies to truth 
 . The Bi- 
 nages were 
 ; true faith, 
 e orthodox 
 irpast cri- 
 3US words, 
 id occupy 
 , who had 
 ncil, when 
 the predo- 
 nitted; re- 
 el they had 
 b stem the 
 1 in oppo- 
 id suppor- 
 d, requires 
 to the lot 
 
 ' imperial 
 ty, trium- 
 heir folly, 
 ras dra wn 
 he Pope's 
 
 97 
 JLegntcs all ti.e Bishops that were present- the Pm 
 
 *< th'if k«„ *^ uijis, as ine Judaica convent dp 
 that has murmured a<rainKf til*. K,j^ • '""^"V^'^* 
 ** o-ninrJ I*' ^, ,\". **o**""5>c tiie holy miaores, ima- 
 
 " &i4redt',^:riL:trv "t" "F"?- 
 
 " Martv^' /^"f S the Ap,«,lc^, the Prophets the 
 « "!. ^ • *? ''*■§ ""^"" '"terccssion, as bei ..r able to 
 recommend us to God. provided wc observe th^ 
 .. ,';»";»>andments of Go,l. 'vVc .weive also the fiJirl 
 •' matV"^' ";' '•""1"" "*' "'« Saintsrand tS 
 
 ;;then.." inthfctIS o^'h TZcT tt'slllj 
 ad r*""''/? '"'" •'"^^'' ima§es,and render' hen the 
 
 other ll^P LT" i"'" ^""""'^ *n oPP'«ition to each 
 
 wo.:hi;oft:':;'i?&'"^= ti^" 
 
 decide? Tl ev?.wi .f ^" ""^''' disagree, who is to 
 
 were both Zl i u"' T^''-^ '^1"'^ '" """'•^er; and 
 were both convened by the same authority and vJt 
 
 ^h^irfi,"^""^ didered in doctrine. To wh ch S' them 
 sh^l the prerogative of infallibility be adjuTed" S 
 
 plounld oi ih"'' '^^«'''"'^' Judgment can only te 
 Sence of fhl^^ f respective doctrines by the evi- 
 mnTi„l%^lS -'* ^-^""Shtenedieason of 
 
 attendanton the managera of the religion of Eimire,; 
 
 N 
 
'p 
 
 .;■'' 
 
 ' 98 
 
 an*l while public roi;s:ion is allowed to proceed in the 
 natural course of huuran aflitirs, the great desi.irn of 
 vthe Gospel is Cc^rried on, Cod sanctifies through the 
 truth out ot\ev(.rv kindred, and tonijue, and people, 
 and nation, (hem u hicli are called to^glory, The eve 
 of omniscience see« at one glance all human transaV 
 tlons; and the spiiii ()f proj)hecy pointed out the de- 
 generacy that would take place in' the Christian world 
 liic prophecies liavc been fulfilled, and are fulfillina; 
 and all things are made by the ovcNruliiiir providence 
 of Cod to muiisler to the accomplishment of his final 
 purpose. 
 
 The Spirit of Christianily is gneved to see such un- 
 natural mixtures "incorporated with its sublime, and 
 noble prmcij)!cs, as tlic second Council of Nice did in 
 trutl. blend v.ith them, 'j'he Apostles and IVophets 
 would fire with holy indignation to find the Gospel of 
 Christ adulterated with such base alloy; they would 
 light the good fight of faith, and resolutely maintain 
 tiiat this was not the doctrine that was first delivered 
 to tht Saints; that they were never heard to utter such 
 words. Could men, who, on hearing that the peoj)le 
 of J.ystra were going to oHer them religious homage, 
 *^* rent their clothes, and ran in among^them, cryiTic 
 *' out, and saying, Siis, why do ye these things? We 
 " also are men of hke passions with you, and preach 
 *' unto you that ye should turn from these vanities un- 
 *^' to the Living Cod, which made Heaven and Earth, 
 " and the Sea, and all things that are therein;" (Acts 
 14.) could such men deliver the traditions imputed to 
 them.? Could men, who were defenniiied not to know 
 anji tinug among Christians, save Jcsm Christ, and him 
 crucrfml, could such men enjoin the adoration of ima- 
 ges.? Can it be thought that a Ueligion, whose prin- 
 cipal object is to purify through Faith, the consciences^ 
 ^!. '"^^ll-tol^uLjt; and to renew them in the Spirit 
 of their minds, that they may perfect holiness in the 
 tear of Ood, and be thus prepared for celestial hap^ 
 
ceed in the 
 It (lesii^ti of 
 hroiigh tlve 
 ind people, 
 . The eye 
 an transac- 
 out the de- 
 itian world, 
 e fulfil ling; 
 providence 
 of his final 
 
 -csuch un- 
 l)liuic, and 
 Sice did in 
 I J^rophets 
 ; Gospel of 
 hey would 
 Y maintain 
 t delivered 
 utter such 
 the people 
 s honiafje, 
 n), crying 
 iiigs? We 
 nd pieach 
 unities un- 
 md Earth, 
 in;" (Acts 
 nputed to 
 H to know 
 t, and him 
 )n of iniiv- 
 hose prin- 
 nisciences- 
 the S}>irit— 
 ?ss in the 
 stial iiap* 
 
 
 99 
 
 pincss; can it be thought that. :i Picligion whose de* 
 dared design^ is to bring ^jcn to oHcr .rSpiritual wor- 
 ship to the Father of Spirits; whose cijicf concern is, 
 so to influence the temper and 'iisposirion of mortals, 
 that tliey inay be zealous in (ioiji^ g ',, ; • . o'>o|, oiIum*; 
 and may1-efrain from Q\vxy act, whereby bro'Lherly 
 Jove i^iay be danipt, and the liarmfMiy of social inter- 
 course disturbed; can a Religion, that recpiires man 
 to be wholly employed in rlHi-e works, to -!.'•!. \\i\\\\ 
 that worketh by loveconstraiiieth, can such a Keligion 
 be thought to prescribe lamps to be liglited, antfin^ 
 cense ofiered to images? No, ili(> lUhgion of whieli 
 Jesus is the author spuins such mean trides, and re-, 
 jects all such superstitious vani'Hs. 
 
 The (Glospel of .J^csus Christ is in harsh d:^s'na^ce 
 with th^.(hoctrine of tlie srcnnd COiuu-iivif Nice. 
 There ^is but one Mali lior UUcen (ioj and men, the 
 man Christ Jesus, uho ijravc himsdf a ransom for ail; 
 and through him we have access unto the "j'ather. 
 Our Divine Fligh l^riesit is at tlie ri;ylit hand of God, 
 who also maketh intercession fur us: and will not allow 
 us to mistrust the efficacy of his mediation; he has 
 assured us that whatso.ner we shall ask the Father in 
 his name will be given unto us; we need no p:|i^n to 
 intercede or recommend us to God; his ears a^^pen 
 to all that rail upon him in the name of his Son ; and 
 if we keep his commandnie'hts we may cherish the 
 hope of inheriting the promises. AVe are warned to let 
 no man beguile us of our rewai'd in a vohiniani humiuiff 
 and worshipping of Angels; (Col. '2. 18.) to beware not 
 to be led captive through the vain philosophy .of the 
 Pythagoreans, and Platonists, resj^ecting Angels, aflcr 
 the traditions of men, after the rudiments of i lie world, 
 and, not after Cfirist. Many of the concei ts of heathen 
 philosophy had intruded themselves into the system 
 of Evangelical doctrine; and the vain deceit of the Gnos-"" 
 ticks, wliich Christians were early cautioned against, 
 |iad succeeded, it would seem from the secwid Couii^ 
 
100 
 
 .> 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 ^1' 
 
 i! 
 
 cil t'u i^ profession of tUith, and decision of the Coun 
 recrfvil ""■'.? "'M"-^J"dices of ,he times, t hry «e"e 
 rt *ve<l ,yi(h unnei-sal satisfaction; and tlic^^sMmr 
 public prejudice that had impressed narks nf Jf 
 bat,on on those, who ha<l opp„.edTl i "b J^^;"' ,^'^1"°- 
 
 ■ charist, which w-h»ve observed the Counr If r 
 
 rararR^ '- "f. ^''^ --.v '"4niwed°b" 
 
 fh»f f^p u • 'S!°"5 fhe Council of Nice reiJief 
 that the Eucharist is not the image of the bodv h?f; 
 (he verv body, and blood of Jesus Christ T»^' f 
 of the institutionoftheSacrament fua Idfelf,! 
 
 upon. To shew that the lucha"! 1^1^"'"* 
 Of. he body and blood of ChrS l^r^d hat "^^ 
 
 \ 
 
\-^ 
 
 lie Gosp6I 
 
 -d not con- 
 
 mediation 
 
 't men, be 
 
 the Conn- 
 they were 
 the siiine 
 of repio- 
 ip ofjnja- 
 i it/ with 
 is tlio pii- 
 eided thc^ 
 spirit of 
 
 decisions 
 posterity 
 
 age-wor- 
 Iiey pro- 
 ^'n urged 
 the Eu- 
 of Con- 
 3wed by 
 
 replies, 
 dy, but 
 e words 
 3m with 
 the Ict- 
 tmd not 
 2n men 
 faintest 
 insisted 
 ■ image 
 lat our 
 'y* but, 
 
 weak „ 
 of th? 
 what- 
 
 101 
 
 emboo of ,|.c doCjinc of.I.e real pre«V. ce b™ " 
 
 As the caii«o, in ,vl.i,:I, men's prejudices were «. 
 
 f 11 ff , '"tiinsic nature of tie Encliarist- tl.i. ' 
 ^^1 afford matter of ,lebate fbr «.,n6 M^ period! 
 tilings are now put in a fair way (or if irtd a'Z^r 
 biasisg ven to the onblir n.in.l u "•'">" •» pioper 
 wp-.n. f,c „ I • 1*""'"^ '"""'• " Ijrn men are srowa 
 
 ,wedr> ot one subject, another is ffencrallv startal f,^ 
 
 tTe a.r st1?n 1 V*^''^*';"'""'' """"■» "'at 'i«in the x-n» 
 tiie Cliristian Jleiijrion becaiiie the reliifion of the Km 
 
 fire some one particular subject ^-xclusiveK < ccun^' 
 
 en hiis 4sn> ot mankin.l. No sooner is one point set- 
 tled a ter much agitation, tlm.i au,,ther i^biSedto 
 perpe Inate stnte, and contention in the wwR a 
 
 In the course of every dispute new words are adont 
 
 be to the character of «c times; the warn.lh <J dit 
 pute produces many new ideas; many new eonceU 
 are struck out by the clash of opinions. «1,ich hul e 
 course ot {ime gain the credit of ui«pK^ ionab le niin 
 c.plfs, and am revered as sacred. The interest',^ a 
 cause inay usfcer .n,' and make new thoughts current 
 Without their having on fi,.t ,dmitta„c? pas^i Tny ' 
 strct examination. 'These thoughts, and ideas are^ 
 at the beginning vague^ and indefinite ; but 1^,^^ 
 
■I. 
 
 ■ ^ J()2 
 
 . From the i>eno(l oflhe spcond CoMntil ofKifr 
 people Icai-nt to repeat that the Fairliarist was not the- 
 imaijtM^XIirist's boxly, an(n)loo(l; l^ithrsown body, 
 ^ and blood, witljout tonsidcrinjr, o'r wellknovvin<r wl^dt 
 was said ; they repeated it t>n thcsiuthnrity o? their 
 teachers, without havinjr anyck^ar, or precis(- idea on 
 the matter. From all parts <the Enipilei Christians 
 Jooked up to the Council, and hung on its words-' so 
 that at tlic same period of time, the sanle notions, ani 
 principles every where obtained, and prevailed. 
 ^ Ihe Church of France iwdced, as wc;iearn from tlie 
 Laroliman books, did mt readily acquiesce in the 
 ,doctnnes of the second Council of Nice; bdt we may 
 presume that by the auljiority, and inHucnce of the 
 Fope, which was then very crivat in that "Church it 
 >vas soon brought to assent. Tiiis Churcli disapproved 
 ot both the Councils, that were held on the business- 
 She thought that the Council of Constantinople crave 
 mto one extreme, while that of Nice ran into anJther 
 with regard to images, As to what the former had 
 said, that there was one image of Christ, instituted hv 
 Christ himself, viz. the bread,.and wine in the Eucha- 
 rist, she condemned it on this ground, that Christ did 
 not say this is the image of my bodv; But this^is my 
 .body; iiec mt, hac est imago corporis mci,- scd hoc est 
 corpus meum. <lib. 4. Cardinorunv eap. 14.) Still it 4oes 
 not appear that the Bishops of France had any idea 
 jn their mmds of the real corporeal presence; they only 
 contended that there was a great difference between 
 images, and the Eucharist; that images were but com- 
 mon matter, that had no consecration; whereas the 
 Eucharist by consecration, and the divine blessino- is 
 exalted above common matter, and becomes the Sa- 
 crament of the body, and blood of Christ. Whatever 
 pppositidn the Church of France made to the (iouncil 
 ot Nice, sh« gave into the common principle, tl^atthe 
 
 :r 
 
 Eucharist was not tl^e image of Christ's bodV, and 
 J)Iood, which pervaded all Christendom. 
 
il ofKife; 
 vas not tlic 
 own body, 
 I wing what, 
 y of their 
 is(» idea 9n 
 Christians 
 woi:ds;' s 
 )tions, an 
 ilcd. 
 
 n from the 
 >c€ in the 
 Jt we may 
 nee of the 
 Jliurch, it 
 ^approved 
 I)nsi«css; 
 opic gave 
 o anotlief 
 ►rmer had 
 -itutcd l)y 
 le Eucha- 
 Jhrist did 
 his js my 
 c(l hoc est 
 ill it «ioes 
 any icfea 
 they only 
 between 
 but corn- 
 areas the 
 lessing is 
 s the 8a- 
 Vhatever 
 Council 
 tl^at the -- 
 \d% and 
 
 
 * • ^ '. - 103 . • . 
 
 ' Alnrml.sr, I Hiink,.haveJiIided inadvertently into 
 Ww va-iHenotion of the real prt'senee, without ptTceiv- 
 liiA any change of doctrine..'. At tl.e period that iust 
 •. preceded the secoi^d Co.uicil of Nice/ there was no 
 (Iclcnmuate behef with regard to the piesence of Jesu^ 
 Ll^n.t in Uie JSaeian.ent. jjy jono- use, and familiarity 
 peopie w^lx^M'ont to celebrate the? mysteries without 
 ' any adverter^e to tjieir intrinsic nature. No dispute 
 iiad yet beea riW onjliat subject; no dexHerene'e of 
 opmH/nha^dctc>!ninfcj;tI,eniind iii its beljct:' VVhCn 
 , ttoire 1^ ir5i)i>p,>siUon, oi^ contiaditlian of opinions' 
 nuMi natiunlly seitic into inathertei.cv, and in.percep- 
 ^ td)ly lose ^11 deU'nninate sense of tilin-s. I'or some 
 tune then before the second Councifof Nice, tiicrc 
 s coukl nave l>cen no pr)sitive, or do(4(led sentiment oa 
 the manncMu which Clu.st was present in the Sacm. 
 i^ient. n such a state of tilings anv impression, any 
 >Kis ol t!i(>„ght circunistaifivs n,ay give, is yielded tTx 
 J>.y the yoiee of auttjority, bv the inliuence of Kome, 
 and CoMstaiUnro],le tlie pul)nL->mind received an im- 
 pul^e m a direction tiia't must ii)[ulliblv carry it to the 
 doc^rme ot th^e real presen^-e: Jlle tide i)f public opi-^ 
 i)ion has now taken a marhad course; by the wo.k- 
 •ings o the n^ui it ac(iuire<l strength as it advanced; 
 and rolled on tdl it carried the new *n,pressed principle ' 
 to the heiglit ot its perfection.- 
 
 lienceforth, in opposition to the reprobated, and 
 exploded doctrme of the Iconomachi, allusions to sym- 
 bol, hgUre, or sign were cart^lidly excluded frr)m ail 
 discoui-ses on the Eucharist;- and people frcquentiv 
 warned,- that, it is not the image, but'the body of 
 ^^hrist. for the sake of distinction, AVhatever words 
 could prdm|it an idea of symbolical representation, 
 were mdustnously avc/ided; and suCh only made use 
 ot, as could suggest ideas that wercTmore agreeable to 
 
 /-* 
 
 ,r.-,-»^->-- .v,v.«c, n,a,v n«.it; uHjit^ ui^reeau/e to 
 tlie prevaihng doctrine." We niuytliendat^, I tliinT 
 irom this epoch, the first rise of the doctrine of the real 
 presence. The principle that the Sacrameflt was no 
 
 m ' ... 
 
 i-J' 
 
ia4 
 
 ,v 
 
 figure, or image sunk gently into the minds of Chris- 
 tians, and was universally acknowledged. It was the 
 first axiom, on which subsequent ages relied; it was 
 the ind^bitable, and indisputable point, from which 
 writers started, when they undertook to treat on the 
 nature of the Eucharist. 
 
 Men are naturally inclined to investigate how things 
 can be; M^hen a spirit of curiosity is once roused, itis 
 restless till it is satisfied ; and the more the object baf- 
 fles the discernment of the mind, so much the more, 
 ipvention is strained ; the imagination lai^ours, it weari- 
 es itself with the most abstract subtiUties to account for 
 it, and satisfy the importunity of the inquisitive mind. 
 The writers of the ninth century implicitly relyino- 
 /on the established principle, that the elements of the 
 Eucharist were not the image of the body, but the very 
 body of Christ Jesus, employed their abilities in ascer- 
 taining this truth, and laying foundations for it to 
 rest on. A system waM'ramed on the univereally ad- 
 mitted principles. 
 
 Paschasius Radbertus in the year 831 was the first, 
 in the Latin Church, who seriously, and copiously 
 wrote concerning the reality of Christ's body, and 
 blood in the eucharist, as Bellarmine, observes. — 
 (De scriptoribus Eccle.) He was the first, in his trea- 
 tise de corporut^et sanguine Domini, to expound what 
 was supposed to be believed by asserting that the ele- 
 ments of the Sacrament weie not the image of the 
 body, but the very body of our Lord; he was the fii-st^ 
 who looked to the consequences of that principle, and 
 determined its import, hitherto vague; he was the first 
 that opened the way to others, who afterwards in great 
 numbers wrote upon the same subject. *lt'now be- i 
 came the favourite discussion; people's attention was i 
 ^now directed to this n ew ob ject; and the zeal of men 
 =began to feet warm^Fit. I'hFpublic mind was new 
 
 * Sirmondm in vitu Faschasii, 
 
minds of Chris- 
 ged. It was the 
 ?s relied; it was 
 )int, from which 
 : to treat on the 
 
 igflte how things 
 mce roused, it is 
 e the object baf- 
 miich the more, 
 lal^ours, it weari- 
 es to account for 
 nquisitive mind, 
 iiphcitly relying 
 elements of the 
 )dy, but the very 
 ibihties inascer- 
 lations for it to 
 J univei-sally ad- 
 
 131 was the first, 
 , and copiously 
 ist's body, and 
 ine, observes. — 
 first, in his trea- 
 expound what ; 
 in^ that the ele- | 
 e image of the ; 
 he was the firet* 
 it principle, and : 
 ; he was tiie first ' 
 erwards in great \ 
 t. ' *Ifnovir be- : 
 's attention was I 
 the zeal of men 
 ; mind was new 
 
 ^ . 105 '■ 
 
 filmed by these writers; their discussions were a^rcp. 
 able to the geniuspf the age; their inferences werelair- 
 y drawn from the prevailing m>ti.,ns; nav, the we e 
 
 iwed" 'n ' '^''^-'i^^^ »"d could noV but'be a|! 
 lowed The Christian Ciiurch was thus bv an imner- 
 ! cept.ble progress led to profess the doctrine of the real 
 presence This point once decided, other loc'rine' 
 
 o be'c' T'l "■■ 7" ^' ™"^''^"^ -'"'•ever seem 3 
 to be connected with it, was admitted. 
 
 nlrs^th uT" '''?r ■"' " '-onscquencc from liis princi- 
 pies, tha Jcs.is C linst was truly immolated every day 
 
 became to "■L'/'' "'f-V'''t'»""g "^ --cd ordiLn^^ 
 senseTf Iw.y''';'''''''''"'©''''''^""'--^ i'> "'c strict 
 doctrine 1 ' '"•'- ^'''' ""^'""^ '»«e"dcd this 
 
 th. p \- ""'^ ,'•'"" ""■'" ''■ii'es on mankind, and 
 the Ghristian world assumes a new face. An immense 
 number ot altai-s arc erected for the purpose of"ffe^ 
 mg expiatory sucifices; and the Keligion of the times 
 seems to be wholly occupied in cch.bralin.. maL"T 
 ui.h<:cdmg the express declaration of Scripture t^at 
 
 ™§2 *^''""' '"'"' ^"/-'^''>' '■^•^'- 'hem t/^y 
 
 ^,12'^ ^octrine of (he real presence, with all its appen- 
 dages, became from the time of Paschasius a more ev- 
 Phcit article of faith; as a system was lbrme<rpwn^ 
 had a more precise, a less vague apprehension of Xt 
 
 ZZ Wh ' .1"'' ^"''"'" P'"eP'»'-ed to meet objec 
 tions. Where things sppeared inconceivable, there 
 people were told to venemte the darkness of mUerv 
 where they seemed impossible, there recourse w^as had 
 to the incomprehensible power of God; all doubts 
 
 rorlli took a new course; it was all for the real nre- 
 sence; monuments appeared on all sides; impressions 
 were every where seen of the public pei-sualion. It 
 
 9<1i'"- 
 
 
 
10<5 
 was easily credited tliat this doctrine liad been (he 
 to see the real presence in the words of all preceding 
 
 rXe bod:, 'oFA'"'.^".''"^'^'''"^ "'^ Sacfament f 
 oe the body of Christ; it was tbiind upon inauirv 
 
 chanst the body of our Lord; this was deemed a snf- 
 fiaent evidence, that they bdievcd .he real presence 
 . The partia eye of contrivers of systems is suri^ ff X"" 
 be anj, simdanty of expressions, dearly to see in the n 
 the sense, that abets the fond notion; and whatever 
 
 some' nlr ^^ '" ""' ''"'' '^'"' "^ «-*«« "Te " f 
 
 ent thaMn It""""" r '"''""T"^- I' "as snffici- 
 ent that in the primitive ages the same words were 
 
 rttritiLr "^'"''^ '■■"' ""^>- '"'-'" -' «•- 
 
 ,„^7'" "'■'.''' '"\' '^<^™ ^""I. 't can, I think, be no mat- 
 ter of surprise, that the doctrine of the real pie<.ence 
 ■ should have been introduced without any no e a id 
 that the Chnstian Church should have given irio it 
 
 without reluctance and without remarkin|an7cian% 
 of belief. What has been said amounts, at least^t 
 seems so to me, to a moral demonstration, o-rounded 
 on true prmdples, that the tenet we are sp?Sof 
 glided imperceptib^ into the Church without any 
 
 UDm,^thl r""" ""T ^'^'^"^- S''"' '" '» insisted 
 upon that there must have been some opposition to 
 
 on Its first appearance; wdl, there really was, bit 
 It was soon silenced. ..?»=>. "ut 
 
 Paschasiushiniself informs us in his book de cm-pore 
 et mngume Chnst,, that many in their minds rejected 
 ^s doctnne, though they did'S-ppose it by wkin^ 
 We learn lAewise trom his commentaries on St. Mat 
 thew that there were many, who were not pleased 
 with bis doctrine, and who asserted that the Eucliarist 
 was not really the true flesl,, and blood ofChrist^Iu 
 that in the Sacrament there was only a certain virtue 
 
107 
 
 of the flesh, ail^ot the very flesli ; a certain virtue of 
 the blood, and not the very blood. 
 
 But tlie principle, that the Sacrament was no imao-e 
 had taken deep root in the public mind; it was theTe- 
 lore natural to expect, that Paschasius's doctrine 
 would prevad against the opposite doctrine; and that 
 It would be adopted, as the doctrine of the Church. 
 A few individuals, who feel the inconsistence of such 
 a doctrine; and argue against it, as new, and full of 
 mcoherencies, are not attended to, when the contrary 
 opinion is countenanced by general favour; and is sup- 
 ported by the auUiority of those who are in possession 
 ot the conhdence of the multitude. The voice of rea- 
 son is drowned in the tumult of general adherence; 
 amidst the shouts of universal approbation, the wisdom 
 ot the more enlightened is lost, and smothered. Still, 
 to the impartial observer it will appear evident from 
 the opposition, however unsuccessful of a few respec- 
 table characters, that the doctrine of the real presence 
 was new. No one had yet heard that the substance 
 ot the bread, and wine ceased to be bread, and wirte- 
 and was changed into the true body, and blood of 
 Christ; into the very same body that was born of the 
 V irgin, and hung on the cross. This, Paschasius was 
 the hrst to advance, deducing it from the established 
 principle, that the Eucharist was no image; and, as 
 the word image was taken in an indefinite sense, it was 
 
 f k^ /^i^^^^ ^*^ *^^^ °"^^ explained the genuine sense 
 ot the Church. Had nothing new been advanced, the 
 attention of the pious, and learned liishopsof theage 
 would not have been excited; there would have been 
 no division of sentifuentat the moment; nor would 
 Charles the Bald have employed the most eminent for 
 learning at that time to oppose the growing error. 
 __Rabanus Maurus Afehbishop^of Mentz^bout tlie= 
 year 847 wrote against the assertion of Paschasius, 
 that in the Eucharist there was the very same body, 
 that was born of th^irgia Mary; in his letter td 
 
p 
 
 
 (C 
 
 « 
 
 (( 
 
 T 
 
 108 
 
 Herebaldus Bishop of Auxerre, he sayii ; " Some of 
 " late not having a right opinion concerning the Sa- 
 " cranicnt of tlie body, and blood of our f-.ord, ha\ e 
 ** athrmcd, that this is the body, and blood of our 
 " Lord, which was born of the Virgin Mary, and in 
 which our Lord suffered upon the cross, and rose 
 from the dead ; which error we have opposed with 
 " all our might." Other eminent men of that period 
 agreed in sentiment with the learned, and pious Arch- 
 bishop ofMentz; but such. was the character cf the 
 fige that Paschasius carried the point; and his doctrine, 
 which had reduced the vague, and confused notions 
 of the multitude into a regular system, became in pro- 
 cess of time, one of the most prominent articles of the 
 faith of the Church; and the impious, and profane that 
 dared question the incredible mystery, were imperii 
 ously commanded to be silent by the stern authority 
 pf public prejudice. 
 
 Jn the year 1079 the doctrine of the real presence, 
 and trahsubstantiation received the public, and solemn 
 sanction of the Church of Rome. Jn a CounciJ held 
 at Rome under Gregory the seventh, Berengarius, 
 who had renewed the opposition, was made to recant 
 in the following words; " the bread, and wine which 
 *' are placed upon the Altar, are substantially changed 
 " into the true, and propi^r, and quickening flesh, and 
 " blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; and after consecra- 
 tion aie the true body, which was born of the Vir- 
 gin; and which, being offered for the salvation of 
 the world did hang upon the cross, and sits at the 
 right hand of tlj^l'ather." 
 
 Jn the Council of I-ateran under Pope Innocent the 
 third, it received a still more solemn sanction, that si- 
 lenced every breath of doubt. From this period, every 
 inind must compose itself to believe this article of 
 iaithi however hard, and itrcredible^it intpOippeaTr 
 That authority, which was looked up to with implicit 
 (leference, had put its seal to iti and no further reply 
 
 « 
 
sayii ; " Some of 
 icerning the Sa- 
 ourferd, have 
 lI blood of our 
 n Mary, and in 
 cross, and rose 
 e opposed with 
 n of that period 
 and pious Arch- 
 character cf the 
 nd his doctrine^ 
 onfused notions 
 became in pro- 
 it articles of thq 
 nd profane that 
 f, were imperii 
 stern authority 
 
 3 real presence, 
 >Iic, and solemn 
 a Council held 
 , Berengarius, 
 made to recant 
 nd wine which 
 
 itially changed 
 ning flesh, and 
 after consecra- 
 orn of the Vir- 
 he salvation of 
 and sits at the 
 
 e Innocent the 
 nction, that si- 
 s period, every 
 this article of 
 inighT^pear/ 
 3 with implicit 
 > further reply 
 
 109 ♦ 
 
 ' could be allowerl ; the belief of tliis pretended mysterr 
 was hencclorUi considered as one of the mces^my 
 terras ot salvation; every thouolit was now controuicd 
 by (he word of the Church; and tio bi^ath of opinion 
 dared transpire, that was any ways contraiy to the ge- 
 neral persuasion, 'J'he ignorance of the times had 
 rendered peoi)le very passive, and credulous; and dis- 
 posed them to receive bHndty whatever Was proposed 
 as an article of faith by that autiiority, whose word 
 they were m the habit of considering as a sufficient 
 motive ot. credibility. The least doubt was deemed 
 Jiighly criminal, and dangerous; to question the word 
 ot the vicars of Jesus Christ on earth, was impious, 
 and deserving the wrath of Heaven. Ideas of rnmhl 
 pit obedience, and blind confidence in the Governors 
 ot the Church then prevailed in an immoderate de- 
 gree; and to resign the inclinations of tlie will, and the 
 sentnuents ot the understanding to others was thouoht 
 the most agreeable homage that could be ofibred'^to 
 Uod. When the public mind is thus influenced, and 
 tramed; when the judgment of mankind is in captivity 
 tne evtvy creature is overawed into implicit credulity- 
 It cannot be suiprising that in such a state of things' 
 any new opinion, conceived, and confidently advmi- - 
 ced by men ot high consideration in the Church, should 
 gam credit, ami spread far and near without any op, 
 position, especially if it accord vC'ith the prejudices of 
 the times. As ignorance advanced with C(iual sten 
 over both the East, and West; and men's rniiuls had 
 been put into the same train of thought throu^rh all 
 Christendom by the second Council of Nice ; the doc- 
 trine ot the real presence, and transubsfantiation be- 
 came the universal belief; a strong prejudice was by 
 degrees formed in its favour ; and Christians held fast 
 th e profession o f it for conscience sake. 
 
 We public Religion of the Christian world declined 
 gradually troin the height of perfection to the lowest 
 pitch ot degeneracy; and was, in course of time, so 
 
Ik. ■ 
 
 I- 
 
 I: 
 I'; 
 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 
 III 
 
 i: 
 
 ,'* 
 
 110 
 
 loaded with human doctrines, and ordinances that 
 mankind was again in bondage under ,he elmoffe 
 world But when the night of ignomnce wa™/ 
 a«d hght again dawned; men asslrt^d U e fe ^Tof 
 the sp,n ual powere th^y had received from their Ma 
 mind""'' fr"^^}'^"^ J-dged for themselv^^s- it 
 mmd, unfettered from prejudices, exerted freely ft! 
 f!?-^ .V" *''«^««"-^h of futh; and was soon made 
 sensible that many of the articles of the Dublk; S 
 could not be of Divine origin. Reason" recoverinlts 
 long compressed energy, rSfused to be^r^he contfou 
 of human authority in its «»earches after tTeoZ 
 doctrine of the Gospel. The nature of th n« and^tle 
 indubitable woid of God alone could be ad^iiiUed as 
 
 Lc^rS"\'^H '' rl! ^^"^ 'ioctrin^weretob: 
 J^certained. Guided by these, reason discovered the 
 
 o r^tf^^re^io'",? T,^""8'"^-<1 -^I was soIicUo^ 
 r«IlS K /? ou • *'^' 'l'"'"^' ""'« "-hicli tliey were 
 cdled by the Chnst.an .lispensation. Under the Gos 
 pel Religion, conscience was not to be burthened wkl 
 fte observance of rites, and ceremonies; the solicitude 
 of the Christian was to be chiefly directed to°phS 
 things; and to the discharge ofihe duties of the m^ 
 ral law;/or tn Chnsl Jesus neither circumeision avaZh 
 am thmg nor uncrcumeision, but a new ereature (Ga) 
 6. 13.) Under the direction of men whose mW^nl' 
 were enlightened by the truth; and wh^ hadtstWew 
 of the designs of the Gospel, a reformation wi eftfel 
 ted; and the Christian Religion exhibited to h^ world 
 n Its priini tive purity, and simplicity. Wlierrtl e 
 light ot wisdom had enlarged the mind it nnn^ a 
 evdent that things in thefr .latureTSelTC^^ 
 be of no essential importance in the Religion of Chrhit 
 the kingdom of Go,}; it was clearly seen, 'm riBhte 
 ousness, and peace, and joy in the Holyloliost m d" 
 
 m-^esik,nVR;r^^ 'l ^ »'«» <^annot unite in the 
 protesston of Religion unless they be bound together 
 
■\ 
 
 • 111 
 
 I ' ■ 
 
 by means of outward forms, a ritual must be admitted; 
 but such only as is countenanced by Divine authori- 
 ty; and that has a direct tendency to raise the mind 
 to the contemplation of the irreat truths of the Chris- 
 tian faith; and to excite in tlie heart pious affections. 
 
 The ordinances, that Christ himself appointed, chal- 
 lenge the veneration of all ages; they are such as can- 
 not fail to be expressive, under every vicissitude of 
 human aflai:rs, of the precious blessings of the Gospel; 
 they derive not their meaning from use; but are natu- 
 rally adapted to suggest the wnshinsr of regeneration; 
 and that s|)iritual food, by which theVul o'if the Chris- 
 tian is nourished, and preserved unto eternal life. I3\r 
 the exterior rites of Baptism, and the Euchtwist a just 
 sense is cherished among men of the efficacy of' the 
 blood of the New-Covenant; and the due performance 
 of them isefiectual to enliven faith, and convey grace. 
 These ordinances Christ consecrated, and enjoined the 
 perpetual observance of them. Thoy were the bonds, 
 by which a new people was to be united into one bo- 
 dy, that they might have fellowship one with another 
 to their mutual edification. \- 
 
 It does not appear that any other exterior institu- 
 tions were ordained by ChristJ^ as means of grace than 
 those of Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. These two 
 Sacraments only primitive Christianity revered as or- 
 dinances of Divine appointment. Some few observan- 
 ces, instead of the many; and these very easy to be per- 
 formed, and most august in their meaning . . . The Lord 
 himself, and Apostolical tradition has enjoined, such as 
 the Sacrament of Baptism is, and the celebration of the 
 body, and blood of our Lord* If the Fathers give to other 
 rites, and practices the appellation of Sacrament, that 
 word was understood by therii in a more general, and 
 
 * Quadam pauca pro muUis, eadmquefaSlufaciUima, tt intelle&lt augu/lis- 
 sima, et ohservatione caftiffivia ipse Dominus, et Apojiolica tradidiUdisitpUna, 
 sicuti efi Baptismi Sacranuntum, et ctltbratio corporis, et sanguinis Domini,-^ 
 (lib. 3. de doQ, Chris, cap. g.J 
 
I'- 
 
 i ■ 
 I - 
 
 i: 
 
 I 
 
 m. 
 
 P 
 
 u 
 
 i 
 
 112 
 
 extensive sense. \\'i)atever could be viewed as a syrn- i 
 bol of any Gospel truth, mi^ht be called a Sacrament- 
 the rites, and ceremonies of public woi-ship, as thev ' 
 . ^ere supposed tp refer to tln^ spiritual dictrines u^l 
 . religion, were likewise considered as Sacmments— I 
 Ihose signs, says St. Austin, that arc connected z^ithl 
 Vivine things ere called Sacraments* The warm zeal ' 
 ot the primitive Christians prompted them to adopt 
 exterior practices, to render, as it were,.. visible the 
 principles of their faith; and to be tJie means of im- ' 
 pressing them on their n^inds; these, being consecra- " 
 ted to religions use assumed a sacred, and mvsterious 
 aspect; and were revered as sacred signs. Ky degrees 
 many Allegorical, and mystical rites were introduced 
 and venerated as Sacraments. I'easts even, that were 
 solemnized to commemorate the mysteries of redemp- 
 tion were regarded as Sacraments.f 15ut we do not find 
 that any of the primitive Teachers of the Gospel doc- 
 trine speak of inbr^than two SacramcHits, tliat were : 
 appointed by Divine authority; ami commended to 
 the observance' of all Christians. ' '' i 
 
 If the primitive Churches were competent to esta- ' 
 bhsh such rites as in their wisdom, and piety they i 
 might think conducive to the edification of the inner 
 man ; when these human institutions lose their etiicacv ^ 
 by the change of times, and^ifference of place • when 
 they have degenerated into vain, and unprofitable 
 pmctices; the authority of any Church may surely 
 abolish them within its limits, and introduce other- 
 modes of things as may be more effectual to promote 
 the great ends of pub lic worship. The only things, 
 
 * %«''' ?«'« ^dres Di-oinas pertinent, Sacramcnta abbeUantur. rAnauM 
 tinus MarcdUnc epis. ^.J j'jy'^nuniur. ( ^ngus- 
 
 + Sacramentum eji autem in aliqua cdcbratione, cum ret re/la ita r,m,y«.,nf 
 ja utaU,uodetiampnifcari Lui,aUr, .uldZZ'^^tp^^:^^^^^^^ 
 ttaquemodo agmus Paicka, ut not solum in lemoriam, quodgeliumetrevoce 
 .««., vicji quod mortuus eft Chriftus, et resurre:cU, sedelamfluJ^ au^cr/a 
 
 'j^^^i r4.r^-'"'* ''^'^'^ - ^^^^^:m^ 
 
 f 
 
 ti 
 
 r 
 
 ii 
 
 f( 
 
 a 
 
 CI 
 
 w 
 
 C( 
 
 si 
 re 
 re 
 ti< 
 
 -fo 
 th 
 ^\i 
 hx 
 sti 
 
 > 
 tei 
 
 no 
 
 vil 
 
 po 
 
 gn 
 
 otl 
 
 ga 
 
 tui 
 
 vie 
 
 am 
 
 en( 
 
 for 
 
 as 
 
 the 
 
 En 
 
 Ch 
 
 an( 
 
viewed as a sjrn- 
 led a Sacrament; j 
 worship, as they I 
 tual doctrines of 
 is Sacraments. — ■ 
 •c connected with 
 The warm zeal 
 1 them to adopt 
 v.cre^. visible the 
 he means of im- ' 
 
 that 
 
 ivSrs 
 
 115 
 
 being eonsecra- 
 , and mysterious 
 gns. J]y degrees 
 Acre introduced, 
 s even, that were 
 eriesofredemp- 
 ut we do not find 
 the Gospel doc- 
 ion ts, that were 
 
 commended to 
 
 npetent to esta- 
 and piety they i 
 ion of the inner 
 ►se their efficacy 
 of place; when i 
 nd unprofitable i 
 irch may surely 
 introduce other 
 tual to promote 
 'he only things, 
 
 appeUantur. {'Angus- 
 
 ;t gejlce ita rememoratio 
 e acciptendum e/l. _ Eo 
 quod geflum eji revoce- 
 'Uam catera, qua cirCa 
 ittamust'—fAugufiinin 
 
 arc univeYsal, ana mvarmblc, are the spiritual 
 
 these three arc the sp,ir,t, and the life of the Christian 
 Religion; and what forms arc best calculated to assist 
 ZZTT""^ **»^"* P«M»' .^^^«"g '"^n, under the dif- 
 
 .nd nrn f"™' Vf."' r^ '""" ^"^ P'^^^' ^hc wisdom 
 and prudence ot the Governors of the several Chur- 
 ches must determine, ami their authority establish 
 Kites, and ceremonies, as they possess no intrinsic ex- 
 cellence, are to be estimated only according to their 
 subserviency to the interests of true Religion; and no 
 easonable man can think it necessary to retail any in 
 e igious use, that are not apt to be means of edifica- 
 tipn iheenightened Christian pays no undue re- 
 gard to the elements of the world; nay, while he per- 
 torms or v-eneratcs the rites instituted by Divine au- 
 thority, whose force and meaning he understands, 
 does not venerate that which is seen, and is transient 
 but rather the object, to which such things refer; and 
 stands fast m the libertif, wherewith Christ hath made us 
 >.e (Gal. 5 1.) The Christian dispensation is not in! 
 terested m observances, which in themselves can profit 
 nothing, and that have no influence to strengthen the 
 vital principle of Christian morahtv; nor do?s it im- 
 pose any yoke on its disciples, that can be any ways 
 grievous, or irksome to rational creatures; it lays no 
 other burden than the necessary things of moral obli- 
 gation; and where conformity to practices, in their na- 
 ture innocent, and indifferent, is required, it is with a 
 view to promote unanimity, ha^rmony, and benevolence 
 among men. Peace, and piety, and virtue are the 
 ends ot the exterior oecohomy of Religion; and one 
 torm of worship challenges preference to another, only 
 as It contributes more to these great purposes. That 
 
 the iamis of worship prescribed by the ChurclTof 
 *.ngland are well plannedgjp improve the mind in ' 
 Christian knowledge, to wM the heart mi devotion, " 
 and raise the soul to true and spirituaF worship, must 
 
Iliil 
 
 it' 
 
 m 
 
 K. 
 
 !■ '( J . 
 
 ir 
 
 r 
 
 If 
 
 ill 
 
 ;i! ' 
 
 III ' 
 
 414 
 
 \yv atlmitted by every liberal,* ahd caftdid person; tliejj 
 arcsut^ple; they /lire solemp; and they are; iK)wertul 
 to'urge men to serve God Avith the spiritsm the Oos- 
 pelofhisSpn. The most refined taste^ apd iiianly 
 5udcment can feel .no repugnance or avei-slon m the 
 performance of them; they tend to fix the attention 
 un objects, 'the contemplation' of which ennobles the 
 soul; and excites sentiments that at.once purify, and 
 exalt hi^mtn nature. .i>*' ^ 
 
 Where See, and impartial ifemght has cleared the 
 mind of .prejudices, a^d men can take a tair view of 
 the reformation; candour piust constrain them to own 
 that it wasihe deed of wisdom, and enlightened zeal. 
 Christianity was purified 6f clmtoaii: intenifjxtures ; 
 doctpinesthat were found, upon strict ex^ination, 
 to bear no traits of Divine origin, were rejected, as 
 degradincr the Christian system; and perforqiances, 
 which had intruded themselves into the catalogue of 
 real virtues, were dismissed, as unworthy, to.rank^with 
 the precepts of th^ Law, piety, justic^, and cli^Vity. 
 Harmony was again restored between the principles of 
 reas6n, ^d the dictates of Religion. Reason wasjhc? 
 longer grieved so see tenets, that were repugna*^ tothe 
 immutable nature of things^ claiming the implicit d^- 
 ference of mankind ; jet, sensible ho>v narr9^ its li-, 
 mits were, andthaMnupli light was wanting, it Wjiy 
 
 assented to th^ trut^ Divine Revelation disclos 
 highly worthy of the wisdom and. goodness ot bod.; 
 and perfectly in unison with its apprehension ot tlii^s. 
 By the ioint guidance of reason,, and revelatioii,mer 
 were led to the, knowledge of thaUrUth, and -wisdom, 
 which their present conditioii.tfequired ; re^*«n- 
 duct^d:them*^to;tJie;Heavenly.Inst^^^^^ 
 come'from.the Eferftal Father; and by^fieanngjiim 
 -^brightne^s^f the everlasting light shoi^around them. 
 ^d they saw the tvdsdom, afad power^ot Ood« . 
 
 V. 
 
 THE EJ^Di 
 
fidid i^erson ; tlieV 
 hey areiiowertul 
 spiritiin the Gos- 
 tastPi apd nianly 
 or avei*slon in the 
 > fix the attention 
 hich ennobles the 
 t.once purify, a»tl 
 
 ht has cleared the 
 take a fair view of 
 itrain them to own 
 i enlightened zeal, 
 an intenilixtures; 
 jtrict examination, 
 were rejected, as 
 ind pertorrpances, 
 o the catalogue of 
 orthy, to.rank with 
 istice, and clil^i:ity. 
 :cn the principles of 
 n. Reason was tiO 
 ;rc repugnaij!^ fo'tlie 
 ing the impliqSt de- 
 ho>v narr^^V " its li-, 
 i wantingi it r^dijy 
 ilation disclosiSif as 
 .goodness of God.; 
 )rehensiqn of tliii^s. 
 ini revelation, men 
 truth, and wisdom, 
 
 reaisiimicon- 
 
 ,■6! 
 
 nstructoririiv'ho had 
 md byf{nearmg«him 
 ; shoij^ around theto 
 jwer^of God« . 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 ; ; 
 
 ^ 
 
 / 
 
 \ 
 
 •" 
 
 \ 
 
 m 
 
^- 
 
 j-Bt 
 
l^ 
 
^".