prevails on the important fubject of religion, and the hoftility which is sometimes exhibited against Christianity, it might be supposed that it afforded scope to bad paffions and immorality, instead of breathing love to God and good will to man, that universal benevolence and beneficence, the extent of which uninspired teachers cannot attain. : The early Fathers felt, with St. Paul, the neceffity which was laid on them to preach the Gospel and the rapidity of its progress is a fufficient proof, both of the divine interpofition, and of their indefatigable zeal in discharge of the commiffion delivered to them. Their writings contain repeated affertions of the diffufion of Chriftianity through all parts of the habitable world; and although these expreffions are to be received with allowances, there can be no doubt that, before the close of the first three centuries, Chriftian Minifters had made converts in all provinces of the Roman empire, and had penetrated into Germany, Arabia, and India. Juftin Martyr and Origen in particular journeyed as miffionaries into diftant countries; and their example, together with that of the Apostles, joined with our Lord's exprefs command, "Go ye, and teach all nations," cannot fail of having a powerful influence upon every reflecting mind. The Church of England, re taining the original moderation of her principles, and impeded by many domeftic difficulties, has not fignalized herself in promoting miffions in an equal degree with fome other European Churches: but the Almighty will, in his good time, give scope to that genuine fpirit, which, removed from the heat of religious bigotry, and the interested pursuits of worldly policy, is folely intent upon spreading the bleffings of Christianity, after the example of a pure and primitive age. Wherefoever in primitive times the Gospel was preached, there was an appointment of regular Ministers. The inftitution of Parish Priests may be called, the corner-stone of ecclefiaftical polity: this useful body of men have in almost all ages and countries maintained a character of refpectability in the Christian world, a character of moderation, which word, in the original Exes, may be interpreted to mean, a complying and confiftent propriety of conduct. The state of religion in a country depends in a principal degree upon the qualifications of the parochial Ministers: the faith and practice of the Paftor influence the faith and practice of the flock. May the Clergy of this land be enabled, in their refpective offices, to maintain in all its purity the faith once delivered to the faints. "For"tunati nimium fua fi bona norint;" they are engaged in promoting, as their peculiar bufinefs, the happiness of mankind. Yet is their fituation one of perilous refponfibility. An ecclefiaftical polity, framed with the greatest purity and wisdom, an Apoftolical fucceffion, a divine commiffion, are great and powerful means depofited with us: while we reflect with gratitude upon these facred trusts, let us remember that their utility and fuccefs depend entirely upon ourfelves. God has not vouchfafed miraculous gifts to these latter times; but he has promised to be always with the preachers of his word to the end of the world. Let us therefore be of good courage; ftrong in the strength of the Lord we shall not fail: we have put our hands to the plough, and it becomes us not to look back; we are armed for the battle, and by God's help we shall have the victory. The primitive Fathers devoted to their Master's fervice their time, their ftrength, their fortunes, their lives, their reputations : they believed, with holy confidence in the Lord's help, that the Gospel through their miniftry would triumph over all obstacles, and they prevailed. We have the fame cause, the fame almighty Helper and Comforter: equal energy will crown our labours with the fame fuccefs. The object of our pursuit is the falvation of fouls: we teach the way of eternal happiness by Jefus Chrift, who died for our fins, and rofe again, and ever liveth to make interceffion for us. This doctrine comprises a more perfect scheme for the improvement of this temporal ftate, than any yet devised by human wit and philofophy. They who delight to draw a picture of virtue triumphant upon earth, and the confequent progress of felicity and enjoyment in the condition as well of individuals as of communities, make a reprefentation of effects which true religion only is calculated to produce in the world. This makes governors more apt to rule confcientioufly, and inferiors more willing to obey; and teaches all perfons to perform, contentedly and faithfully, the duties of that station, public or private, in which God has placed them. As the fun and rain render the earth fruitful and lovely, fo the divine word and grace enlighten, invigorate, and nourish man's immortal fpirit: and thus the being, who was framed out of the duft, when advanced to full maturity, is capable of the ineffable fruition of the prefence of God, and the Almighty may again fee that the work of his hands is good. |