It is abundantly admitted in a recent work, emanating from a school of theology which lays exclusive claim to the title of Evangelical, that, "taking the case of any twenty parishes, in which during a long series of years there have been faithful servants of CHRIST ministering among the people, we shall scarcely find one in which any very large proportion of the population appears to be walking in the right way. With day and Sunday schools, with scriptural preaching and pastoral instruction, yet not one in many seems seriously impressed with religion and the concerns of His soul."

This, it must be confessed, is a mournful picture, with no redeeming qualification,-no suggestions of hope or remedy. But persons of a different school, while, to a certain extent they admit its truth, would deny that the case is desperate. They would suggest the inquiry, how far the means alluded to of education, and preaching, and pastoral instruction, however excellent in their way, can be considered in themselves adequate to the end proposed. Nay more, they would inquire whether those very means, through their partial and too exclusive application, have not tended to the depreciation, and neglect of what the Church has ever regarded as the more direct channels of Grace.

How different, for instance, might the case have been, had the Baptismal Covenant at all times been fully unfolded, and the regenerating influence of the Holy Rite faithfully asserted? On the contrary, Christian parents have not been sufficiently instructed in the blessed privileges, to their children, of this "outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace given unto us." They have not been taught to look upon Baptism, as both "a means whereby we

receive the same, and a pledge to assure us thereof." And so likewise, from being accustomed to hear the Supper of the LORD spoken of chiefly as a commemorative ordinance, people are led to forget that the Bread which we break, and the Cup of Blessing which we bless, are not merely typical of CHRIST's Body broken and His Blood poured forth for man, but are, moreover, the mystical means of conveying strength and refreshment to the soul, just as the Bread and Wine invigorate and sustain the natural man. They do not therefore feel, that the Bread of Life which came down from Heaven is as necessary to their daily growth in holiness, as the daily bread, which they seek for their earthly need, is to their bodily existence. They have not been brought to perceive that unless they duly receive these Holy Mysteries, as "very members incorporate in the mystical body" of the SON of God, they have no right to esteem themselves heirs, through hope, of His everlasting Kingdom.

What, under GOD's blessing, might we not humbly anticipate would be the fruits of a recurrence to these truly Scriptural views, and to practice in accordance with them? The privileges of adoption, and the consequent obligation to holiness of life and conversation, would be more deeply felt, as a clearer insight into, and a juster appreciation of, the great initiatory Rite of Christian Baptism prevailed among the people. They would feel that they were no longer their own, but His that bought them-that their bodies were henceforth the temples of the HOLY GHOST'—and they would couple with this awful truth the no less awful denunciation, "If any man defile the temple of GOD, him shall God destroy.

Again, with the breaking of the Bread once more 21 Cor. iii. 16, 17.

11 Cor. vi. 19, 20.

united with Prayer at every assemblage of Christians on the first day of the week, the Merits of their Crucified Master, His bloody Death, His mediatorial throne, would be ever present to their eyes and hearts : Almsgiving would lend its wing to Prayer: the promised aid of the SPIRIT duly sought for would, we cannot doubt, be as duly bestowed: self-examination, steadfast resolutions of amendment, "lively faith in God's mercy through CHRIST, a thankful remembrance of His Death, and charity with all men," would mark the character and conduct of the pious member of CHRIST'S Church. Instead of deferring the act of communion to an old age of indolence and apathy, or to a sick bed of pain and hopelessness, we should diligently seek the supporting influence of God's Grace in early youth and manhood's prime, when temptations are strongest, and human passions most impatient of control. The weekly invitation to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb would induce a constant habit of preparation, far beyond that state of temporary fitness, which the expected recurrence of the Holy Eucharist at long and stated intervals produces. We should thus, moreover, be rendering to the substance that honour which, in the earlier dispensation, the ALMIGHTY claimed, under the severest penalties, for the mere shadow of good things to come. And by His blessing on our frequent use of all His appointed means, we might hope to escape that fearful visitation of His wrath, which the negligent and careless Christian has surely no less reason to dread than the Jews of old, if he abuse the privileges of "a better Covenant, established upon better promises.""

S. W. C.

'Heb. viii. 6.

SERMON XXV.

THE FOLLY OF "LOOKING EARNESTLY" ON MAN,

AND

POSTSCRIPT TO SERMON XXV.

SINCE this Sermon was printed off, the Author has reason to think it necessary he should warn his readers against supposing that his cautions were the result of his being in the private confidence of the distinguished and excellent Divines to whom he has so prominentlybut he hopes humbly-alluded. With respect to that holy man concerning whom he affirmed, that the rumours which called forth the sermon were "less confidently" uttered, he rejoices to be credibly informed, by a valued friend, that such rumours have not even the semblance of foundation; and he sincerely regrets that he should have appeared to give them credence as possibly true.

A. W.

July 29th, 1845.

1 This Sermon was preached in St. John's Church, Cheltenham, on St. Peter's Day, in reference to certain rumoured secessions from the Anglican to the Roman Communion.

Sixth Sunday after Trinity.

Y

united with Prayer at every assemblage of Christians on the first day of the week, the Merits of their Crucified Master, His bloody Death, His mediatorial throne, would be ever present to their eyes and hearts: Almsgiving would lend its wing to Prayer: the promised aid of the SPIRIT duly sought for would, we cannot doubt, be as duly bestowed: self-examination, steadfast resolutions of amendment, "lively faith in

oh Cunion a thankful remembrance..

upon better promises.

991

1 Heb. viii. 6.

S. W. C.