sources of weakness every way. The admittance of them into our own minds hurts ourselves; the manifestation of them irritates the minds of others; and if they subsist between fellow-labourers they injure the cause in which both parties are engaged, unfitting both for the prosecution of it, and giving occasion to its adversaries to triumph.

Then let us mark whatsoever causes division among us, and avoid it. We know that names of division have been too current in the church. Let them at least have no countenance from the clergy. It will be well when such terms as “Evangelical" and "Orthodox” shall cease altogether to be either assumed as distinctive appellations, or cast ironically and sarcastically upon others in a way of reproach. If, however, in contradiction to our wishes, the laity will persist in invidiously affixing these denominations, we must not take our measures of judgment from such a proceeding, or suspect or appreciate one another upon such authority. It is indeed no concern of ours to deny it, that into so large a body as the clergy of our church, even wicked men may have crept in unawares : that some may be less "apt and meek for their learning" than they ought to be; that some may prove slothful, and some precipitate, and

some in error. And if there be scandal we have no right to make excuses for it: and assuredly none of us must dare to compromise with respect to his own religious views. But when all this is, to the utmost extent, admitted, it is easier, and better, and juster far, to believe that "in many things we offend all," and all mistake, than to suppose either truth or honesty to be the exclusive possession of a party. We who preach "judge not, that ye be not judged," must not, either by our own rash judgments, or by adopting the hasty, and perhaps ignorant decisions of others, recognise a schism, or foster jealousies, or concur in irritating and thwarting, by expressions of contempt, men who may be very willing to learn and very desirous to do good, though they should not be every thing they ought to be at present, either in faith or practice. We, who are peacemakers by office, must have peace one with another; and must acknowledge ourselves to be above all things, concerned to put on towards each other that love which "covereth all sins;" which " hopeth, believeth, endureth all things."

And our way is very plain before us. What the church, to whose authority we have all subscribed, hath collected from Holy Scripture for doctrine, is exhibited in the Arti

cles: the manner in which she will have the truth expounded, is exemplified in the Homilies. Let it be the grand concern of each of us, for himself to study both; and in conformity to the instructions of the one, and in imitation of the tone and spirit of the other, let him "give himself to the ministry of the word and to prayer." Thus each, at the same time that he does his own proper work as he is commanded, will have done his part also, that all may "be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment." And if this course be taken generally, in things fundamental and essential, we shall be all evangelical and all orthodox. And besides this, "" our moderation will be known unto all men." For we shall perceive not only what our church declares, but where her declarations stop. We shall mark, not only her dccision in matters clear, and of vital moment; but her caution in cases of dubious controversy. We shall observe that she gives no countenance to extreme statements on any side; that indeed she has not taken upon herself to arbitrate in every difference, but has left some questions open. And what the church has tolerated we ourselves shall learn to tolerate: we shall treat with much lenity, at least, such dissent of our brethren from our own private views, as the

common standard to which we all appeal has not condemned: and we shall bear it in mind, that if, upon an abstruse and difficult question, there be an error of which our brother is tenacious, and which to us appears to lead to evil consequences, yet not only is it more excuseable as occurring on such a question, but inasmuch as it is only a particular of his creed, which he holds not singly, but together with all those grand and unquestioned truths of the gospel which our church so unequivocally maintains; the poison, if there be any, has enough in his own scheme to neutralize it, the apprehended consequences may not, in fact, arise; men of indisputable piety have held the like before, and in spite of it he also may be, and perhaps he is, a practical and useful instructor in the way of godliness. These considerations I think imply no compromise, and make no concession to wilful ignorance and carelessness, but they tend to peace. And though in the present estate of man nothing may be able absolutely to prevent mutual misapprehensions, or to produce absolute unity of religious sentiment, yet, if what I have suggested were acted upon, so much would be done as would bring us into a better condition to sympathize with one another, and to help one another.

There

would be no undue demands upon mutual forbearance, though of that excellent grace there would be a beneficial exercise; whilst, upon the whole, we should be a more effective as being a better compacted band of labourers; and this would be one great source of strength in a day in which whatsoever strength we have or can attain is needed.

These things having been considered respecting our conduct towards those within the pale of our own communion, a few suggestions will, perhaps, not be thought out of place, with reference to that which may befit us towards those who are without that pale.

And first:It is not a personal question which is at issue between any of these parties and ourselves. Yet, when any of them come in contact with us, there is a spirit merely selfish, in which we may be tempted to regard them. Whilst this is the case, however, it will not be possible for us to act wisely. They must not be viewed merely as interfering with our importance or acceptance, or as drawing away our hearers. It is indeed an evil, and a serious one, if the proper pastor of a flock is, by any means, brought into unmerited disfavour with those to whom he is willing to do

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