every thing facred left to the fluctuating practice and decifion, that ever marked fanatic difcontent, and too like the fubject of a wellknown fable, because they cannot digeft a food most falutary to others, they would charitably deprive them of any but what is suited to their particular taste.*

Though I may appear to digress, yet thefe obfervations will be found most closely connected with the very point in question; as they do fully fhew, that this PRINCIPLE doth univerfally prevail of the PEOPLE JUDGING FOR

THEMSELVES, HOW THEY ARE TO ACT IN MATTERS OF RELIGION, AND NOT OTHERS

FOR THEM: And it confequently renders the latter part of this quotation fo palpably erroneous (viz. THAT POPERY STILL REMAINS

THOUGH IT PASSETH UNDER THE NAME OF

PROTESTANTISM) that it hardly deferves a farther comment. For furely it is trifling in the extreme to affert, that a fatal blow to Fopery is NOT affected in our conftitution; independant of the proof from general toleration.

*Much more liberal furely is the tolerating spirit that marks the government of the established church in this kingdom, which allows all denominations of people to worship God in their own way, requiring no more in return than the peaceable indulgence of the fame freedom.

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As

As to any deficiency in the COMPLETION OF THE REFORMATION, which may relate to the distinction of forms and habits; that is a fource of remaining disunion just now alluded to in the note of page 54, and quite unworthy the real christian to acknowledge, as a plea for refractory oppofition. But this hath nothing to do with the RULE of FAITH: fuch trivial exceptions are truly to be compared to ftraining off a gnat, &c.

The Bible stands on its own ground, and we may fafely aver many would never hear it, or know any thing about it, but for the public and pious provifion of having it fo judiciously repeated throughout the year. Many cannot profit by its truths in a private application of it, for want of common learning; and however defirous the poor might be to hear the history of God's goodness towards mankind, how could it ever be obtained if this happy opportunity was not afforded them? I must then boldly deny the charge, and as roundly affert the contrary, that this is one unanfwerable mark, THAT POPERY

DOTH NOT STILL REMAIN AMONG US.

Further, though the Bishop is introduced as if meaning to give an oblique if not a full ftroke at the office of the priesthood, in faying,

THAT EVERY CHRISTIAN IS TO ANSWER TO GOD FOR HIS OWN ACTIONS AND NOT

OTHERS

OTHERS FOR HIM, SO HE IS TO JUDGE FOR HIMSELF HOW HE IS TO ACT IN MATTERS OF RELIGION, AND NOT OTHERS FOR HIM.

Yet, as (without the groffeft offence to his character) we must fuppofe there could be nothing further from his thought, than an intention to lower the use of the order, over which he prefided: fo I must again infist, that whatever interpretation the writer of the pamphlet may wish to have affixed to this fentence, it affords no proof THAT POPERY STILL REMAINS WITH US, and I oppofe the general fenfe of the prelate's own words to fupport my opinion. For the SCRIPTURES (fays he) ARE THE ONLY RULE OF FAITH TO CHRISTIANS. THESE we have in common, and the Papifts have NOT. By these people may discover whether the teachers impofe doctrines they should NOT believe, and fo far the REFORMATION IS COMPLETED on the very principle of the quotation; every chriftian having thereby the infallible means at hand of JUDGING FOR HIMSELF,

AND NOT OTHERS FOR HIM.

And as to the priesthood, fince without this order of men, many could not poffibly form the requifite judgment supplied by the above RULE, to forward their falvation, I fhall content myfelf with an appeal to the fcriptures themselves, to demonftrate what they enjoin concerning it. They

3

They exhort the multitude, in abundant parts, to listen to the voice of their Paftors and Teachers, whom God has fet over them. This is the conftant language of the Apostle, when writing to the church, or christian community, to which they belonged. And, confequently, as both prophets, and apoftles, establish the use of this order, we must conclude that they expected a vast portion of the people would require the judgment of it in religious matters. The utmost therefore that can be implied in this part of the quotation, is a cenfure upon those who teach, instead of found doctrine, the commandments of men. It is true, PEOPLE ARE TO ANSWER TO GOD FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS, AND NOT OTHERS FOR THEM. I do not know that our church holds any tenet fo abfurd as the contrary of this. But the SCRIPTURE, (the RULE) afferts, that Paftors are appointed to watch, as they that are to give account for mens fouls, and this muft particularly allude to the incumbent minifterial care of that great number who could not bring their actions to the teft of fcripture, unlefs fome fuch ready and conftant inftruction was at hand, as the clerical office doth fupply. The voice of confcience only, may be fufficient light to a heathen, but furely fome further knowledge is neceffary for a chriftian? Faith cometh by hearing, and how falt

hall they hear without a teacher? To object popery to us because our teachers are called priefts, would be an equal violence against common fenfe as fcripture. When men poffefs fufficient candor, and humility, to try their fentiments by the pure rule of God's holy word, they will difcover God's purpofe, as far as is neceffary for their falvation, and be taught of him, that they are not to attack the laws and inftitutions of their country, for trifles light as air, comparatively with the fubftantial doctrines the church upholds, and the general good to be derived by peaceful uniformity. They will then perceive they cannot be juftified for making private opinion the meafure of the public weal. Thus much I judged it neceflary to obferve, and do hope it will carry fufficient conviction, that no juft authority can be derived from any of those quotations, in derogation of the Ho milies, or the truly evangelical character of our primitive and apoftolical establishment.

THAT VERY FEW READ THE HOMILIES OUT OF THE VERY GREAT NUMBER THAT

SUBSCRIBE TO THEM (as affirms the Preface) is a reflection (when true) on those who are thus deficient, and not a cenfure against the book itfelf." But it is rather bold in the author to advance this further general opinion; that they feldom attract the notice of the PRIVATE

STUDENTS