LECTURE XII. CONCLUSION. 1 THESS. V. 21. Prove all things, hold fast that which is good. THE subject proposed for consideration at the commencement of these Lectures has now been examined in its several bearings. I have endeavoured to shew the lawfulness and expedience of a national establishment of Religion, from its accordance with the great design of civil government, the promotion of good and restraint of evil; from the natural indifference of mankind towards religion, which renders it necessary that other provision be made for its introduction and maintenance than their own spontaneous efforts; and from scripture testimony as to the approval of such an institution on the part of the Supreme Lawgiver. Y fasten the mener argument to the se the Engis Establishment, its Asisiny "perma, che Royal Supre 3 von 1 En wiens and Patronage. on the State, test at emnet and vindicated. 1 te Itner fs nationally esta A I HET MOL the authority it asses La Mermer of Holy Wr and Liturgical mode of s of its constitutie Christian societies es shewn to be in accinate understood and acted church. that I offer some c すい suggested by a review 12 we should inquire what is the nature and design of he institution into which we were thus early admited: nor, while our personal concern in the docines and duties of Christianity is confessedly the st and by far the most solemn point of investiga1, can it be unimportant to consider the means ch its great Founder has appointed, for the munication of those doctrines, and the enforceof those duties, to the end of time. Prove e, e visible church, in which these are adminisis the assembly of those who profess faith and nce to Christ as their Head: and on examthe laws which He has given for the governof this body, the strongest motives on every sent themselves for union among its memwell in all outward acts of worship and as in habitual sentiments of regard each other; while the contrary disposition, manifested in a contentious spirit within or a causeless separation from it, is ranked e works of the flesh, the marks of a d. It is indeed hinted that offences will h may render separation necessary, but adful punishmeut is denounced against g party, the act of separation is regardout, as one to be resorted to only in the ity, and when it is impossible to hold with the general body without offending 10m obedience is at all events to be THE stope F commenceme examined I have endere expedience of from its ac government towards repr and from such Lavina racing the history of the body thus we find it for some considerable time In application of the general argument to the particular case of the English Establishment, its distinguishing features, such as the Royal Supremacy, its system of Endowments and Patronage, and the direct influence of the Church on the State, have been successively explained and vindicated. And lastly, our attention has been directed to the claims of the institution thus nationally established, as a Spiritual Society: in which respect, its bond of federal union, the authority it asserts as a witness and interpreter of Holy Writ, its Episcopal government and Liturgical mode of worship; the chief peculiarities of its constitution as distinguished from other Christian societies existing amongst us, have been shewn to be in accordance with scripture rule, as understood and acted on in the earliest ages of the church. It only remains that I offer some concluding remarks, which are suggested by a review of the whole inquiry. I. And first, I think it must be obvious to all, that this question cannot be regarded as of trifling import, or as one in which a person who has the opportunity of serious examination may take whichever side circumstances shall direct, without inquiry, or without culpability for his neglect of inquiry. When we find ourselves in a Christian country, and by baptism, members of Christ's visible church, it would seem, unless we are willing to renounce all obligation from the act of friends on our behalf in infancy, one of the first dictates of reason that |