Because The plea of the conscience thus enslaved, is a false one. Conscience should be directed not by feeling, but by knowledge and judgment, formed not by a few texts of scripture and sayings of men which catch the mind, and fasten on it in a manner that prevents reasoning, but by comparing spiritual things with spiritual, close observation on the nature of man, the experience of churches, and the dispensation of Jehovah, which the great majority of the men who have left a gospel ministry to join such churches, have neither had time nor opportunity to acquire; which is manifest by the circumstance, that increase of knowledge has from time to time taken away several members from them, and often their most leading members; and the majority, from this constant fluctuation, is composed of novices and "unlearned" persons, who have, perhaps, never read the scriptures through, much less compared scriptural truths with scriptural.

Before I close this paper, I wish to say a few words about the national church to which I belong. I am convinced from the scriptures, that every government is bound, under the law of God, to provide for publick worship, instruction, and preaching; for the powers being ordained of God, are answerable to him for the government committed to them, that it should endeavour that this worship and instruction should be scriptural, and after truth, as far as men can attain to it; that the provision of ministers belongs as much to the government as to

at their lips. These men are the true successors of Diotrephes, 'the lover of pre-eminence.'-Lord Chancellor Bacon.

the people; that without this, we should soon be as Sodom, and like unto Gomorrah*.

I am convinced that our established church is as scripturally constituted as any church I know, and am conscious it is impossible to prove it antiscriptural in its constitution, by mere assertion, or attack on characters, or by sober scriptural argument, or to prove where her liturgy is unscriptural t, or where such a form of sound words can be met with; likewise, that there is any thing unscriptural in her articles on the condition of man, his justification before God, and the doctrines of grace; the rising and falling articles of a rising or falling church.

I am convinced there is no purer form of worship, nor better confession of faith; nay, the very reading of her liturgy is a declaration of the gospel every sabbath-day; and there are larger portions

6

*By the constitution of our church the best human provisions are made for the securing of true religion in the land. Its strongest recommendation is, that it has regard to future ages, and lays a plan for the transmitting the pure word and worship of God to 'generations yet unborn. Its ministers may die, or men of corrupt minds may arise among us, desirous of introducing "another gospel;" but our principles are fixed: the articles, homilies, and liturgy, form an impenetrable barrier against error, and ' while these remain we cannot be involved in darkness: we shall 'possess the "form of sound words," and a spiritual service. We should be solicitous to hand down so valuable a treasure to our 'latest posterity, and should, therefore, beware of encouraging 'that enterprising and innovating spirit, which would entirely destroy it, or deprive it of its chief excellency.'-The late Rev. Thomas Robinson's Serious Call, &c.

See the various sermons and reports of that admirable insti tution, the Prayer Book and Homily Society.

of the scriptures read in her service, than in the service of any church whatever.

The false doctrines and evil practices of some of her ministers and people, no more declare her antiscriptural, or un-church her, than they did the Corinthian and Galatian churches, and the churches of Asia, which are addressed as churches of Christ, though there were many false teachers among them, and men who walked not according to truth; and the men who are raised up in her to preach the gospel, can stand firmly on her foundation, which is Christ Jesus, and boldly declare the truth to the conversion of thousands from sin to holiness, and from darkness to the light of the truth as it is in Jesus.

She has been blessed and acknowledged by the Lord, by having as many sinners brought to repentance and faith in her pale, as in that of any other church.

The country likewise in which she has been established, has been more highly favoured than any other now existing, in every thing pertaining to the kingdom of God and of his Christ, and has been chosen of God to be the mountain from whence the waters of life should flow through all the nations of the earth.

I am convinced, that if her constitution had been antiscriptural, however she might stand for a season, the truth would not be preserved in her for so many ages, nor should we be able to observe, as at present, within her pale, a vast number of ministers preaching the gospel in simplicity and faithfulness,

and thousands who have, through their ministry, received with meekness the engrafted word. God deals not thus with antiscriptural churches. I am convinced that there are no means of grace, necessary for edification in the knowledge and love of Christ, that are not to be found in whatever place ministers are raised up in her to preach and live the gospel.

any

church upon

And I am bold to affirm, that there is as much real liberty in her, as in earth *. I therefore praise God that I belong to such a church, so acknowledged, so blessed, so useful; and in which I can, without fear of any master, stand and preach the gospel of the grace of "God." (Acts, xx. 24.).

Yours ever affectionately,

ROBERT SHAW.

* Uniting, as I do most cordially, in these sentiments, it affords me much pleasure to be able to express my approbation of them in the language of a most zealous and devoted brother clergyman. 'What a blessing has the established church been to these kingdoms-whether we regard her as the depository of truth, or the handmaid of civil liberty. May peace be within her walls, ' and may all who love her for the truth's sake be united in the 'bonds of Christian love!'-Editor.

No. XIV.

A LETTER

From a beneficed Clergyman to the Editor.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Feb. 1, 1817.

THE reception which the letters addressed to you, on the evil of separation from the Church of England, have met with in this and the sister country, gives me the sincerest pleasure; and I am truly happy to find that another edition has been now called for. I am well convinced, that the more the character and principles of the united Church of England and Ireland are investigated and known, the higher she will rise in the estimation of every impartial and candid inquirer; while even those good men who feel that they cannot conscientiously join in her communion, will, notwithstanding, "wish her good luck in the name of the "Lord." Yes; the more minutely the inquiry is made, the more light there will be thrown on this ancient edifice, not only more clearly exhibiting her many prominent beauties, but also discovering those latent excellencies which are unnoticed by the less observing passenger. There are indeed many parts of the building, which had no doubt a peculiar fit