ness in the eyes of the workmen who reared the edifice, but which, it is to be feared, are not now sufficiently known and valued by the modern observer; consequently many are to be found in this day of reform and innovation, who would, under colour of improving and modernizing the building, remove a great part of the foundation, to the endangering of the whole. It would be well, therefore, if such reformers and refiners would pause and consider before they rashly undertake to alter what has stood the test of years, and outlived various calumnies from various quarters. Let them consider that a few ignorant men may, in a few days, pull down and destroy a palace which required all the skill of the wisest architects to plan, and all the labour of the most able artificers to execute : so some may find it a much easier task to overturn than to plan and erect such an edifice as the established church of these realms. However, before they enter on such an undertaking, "let them walk "round about our Zion, and tell the towers thereof, "and mark well her bulwarks;" nor let them for a trifling flaw, or an apparently ill-arranged stone, seek to overturn the whole of the venerable fabrick. -No; let them rather pause and consider;-let them carefully and impartially examine the foundation and the constituent parts, and they will, I am convinced, find a beauty, an order, a regularity, and a fitness in the whole, bespeaking the wisdom of the founders, (I would say, under God,) and the general conformity of the work to the divine pattern. The truth of this is so ably shown in the foregoing

pages, and in so plain and simple a point of view, that it requires no comment. For my own part, having been ever attached to the established church, perhaps formerly from what might be called the prejudices of education, I can honestly declare, that I am now more and more so every day, from principle; that I venerate her doctrines as being purely scriptural; that I love her liturgy, in which I discover new beauties continually, which has been well described as being venerable for its antiquity, admirable in its style, being a model of simplicity, ' combined with dignity, and replete with doctrines truly evangelical:' and that I admire the apostolick simplicity and sober decency of her forms and ceremonies; particularly when I consider her ministration of baptism, her form of solemnization of matrimony, and her order for the burial of the dead. In truth, there appears throughout these, a sobriety of devotional piety, if I may use the expression, removed from every appearance of enthusiasm, which does not appear to be surpassed by any professing church in the present day, and which is only exceeded by that spirit of Christian love and forbearance, which she professes, and which is evidently breathed forth in many parts of her services, towards those who differ from her, and -even towards her enemies and persecutors. We may remark this spirit in her "prayer for the whole "state of Christ's church militant here on earth;" where after acknowledging, the obligation of the apostolick precept," to make prayers and supplica"tions, and to give thanks for ALL men," she

2

prays

for the UNIVERSAL CHURCH, that IT may be continually inspired with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord; and that ALL who confess God's holy name, may agree in the truth of his holy word, and live in unity and godly love:' and she goes on to pray, that God would save and defend ALL Christian kings, princes, and governors.'

And in her collect for Good Friday, with what a spirit of Christian tenderness and compassion does she pray to that. God, who would not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live,' that he would have mercy upon all Jews, Turks, infidels, and hereticks, and take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of his word, and so fetch them home to his flock, that they may be saved among the remnant of the true Israelites, and be made one fold under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord.' In truth, she appears in this very Christian supplication, to have in view the several prophecies which relate to the establishing of Christ's church throughout the world, and particularly that period, when, according to our Lord's declaration and promise, he shall so "bring "in all his sheep, that there shall be one fold, under "one shepherd." Yes, in a believing view of this promise, she seems to pray continually for its accomplishment; and accordingly, instead of persecuting those whom she would proselyte to the true faith, she commends them in prayer to the God of truth, beseeching him, that he would bring into the way of truth, all such as have erred, and are • deceived.' And following the example of the

great Head of the church, who has taught his disciples to pray for such as despitefully use and per66 secute them," she has instructed her members in their supplications to God, to pray thus: that it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts.' As a spirit of Christian charity is thus breathed forth in her prayers, so a spirit of sound wisdom appears to pervade her other formularies: her catechism, her creeds, her articles, and her homilies, all bespeak this. As to her catechism, I think we might challenge any existing church in the present day, to produce a more scriptural, more comprehensive, and, at the same time, more concise summary of the Christian faith and profession. Her creeds, and one in particular, have been objected to; but I believe, if the principles of the objectors were fully known, their very objections would furnish the strongest proof of the utility of such creeds: as they were adopted, so they appear admirably calculated, to oppose heresy in every day. Her articles present us with a concise but complete view of the leading doctrines of the gospel, which we find admirably illustrated in the homilies of the church. Have we not then every reason, my dear friend, to thank God for such a structure, which it hath pleased him in so marvellous a manner to establish and protect? and while contemplating it with mingled affection and admiration, I would ask, in the words of an animated writer, 'Of what sort were 'our reformers, by whom God raised this edifice? Burning and shining lights, as the chariots of

'Israel, and the horsemen thereof. They drank deep of the genuine spirit of Christianity; mani'fested its vital influence by an exemplary holiness; 'propagated its principles with apostolick zeal, and 'died in its defence. Their memorial remains with us, and it is precious. These were the men, who 'expressed the sentiments of their hearts and the 'foundation of their hopes and consolations, in our 'articles and homilies: let us, therefore, imitate 'their example, let us tread in their steps.' Yes, my dear friend, we have reason to be thankful that we are called upon and privileged to do so; and I earnestly pray, that the God of all grace may strengthen and direct us therein, for indeed we may truly say, "The lines are fallen unto us in pleasant

places."

Believe me to be, with sincere regard,

Yours, very affectionately.