I find also, that the inhabitants of the land of Israel, when invited to return to the worship of God at Jerusalem, laughed to scorn, and mocked those, who were sent to recal them to their duty. Other instances might be cited, but let these suffice. On the other hand, let investigation be made, and it must excite surprise, when it is found how few instances can be cited from the sacred narrative, where men, when once led captive by the spirit of apostacy, were persuaded, either by argument or by entreaty, to return to the Church of the living God. This is a remarkable fact, plainly indicating that they who once yield to this dangerous and deceitful spirit, do not only become blind to their error, but are also held in utter thraldom. The grievousness of the sin of schism may be pointed out, but they will be ready to excuse their conduct on the plea of holiness; the most pressing arguments may be used, to induce them to return to the communion of the One holy Church of God, but they will openly ridicule, or hold in silent contempt, the man who would recal them to a sense of duty. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem," is the mournful language of our blessed Lord, in reference to those who would not submit to be gathered into the fold of His Church; “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have

x 2 Chron. xxx. 10.

K

gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" The spirit of schism, is indeed the spirit of the carnal mind, and its fruits will poison even the most pious soul. Instead of humble and entire submission to the Divine authority, there will be a constant desire to exalt self-will and private judgment, in every instance where obedience would be disagreeable; hence all that is revealed on the subject, will be disregarded, and all that may be said, will be set down as the language of intolerance and uncharitableness: the conduct of the faithful will be derided, not imitated; and if they themselves, who are in such captivity, were capable of observing it, they would perceive, that the whole of their religious life and conversation was animated by a new and strange spirit.

Q. You therefore consider it necessary to attend to these marks, before you join in communion with any portion of the Church of Christ?

A. I consider, it absolutely necessary; for by attending to these three simple marks with sufficient care, the true Church of God may, in all ages and in all places, be distinguished from imitations of it established by human invention. On the one hand, these simple marks will prevent me from declining into the errors of the middle ages; and, on the

other, they will restrain me from running heedlessly on into the novelties of more modern times. They will continually fix my attention on that which was first in the Church, and so prevent me from being deceived by any thing that is subsequent. They will enable me to comprehend the design, and to revere the government, of the Church; and hence, to feel it to be both my duty and my interest, to embrace its doctrines in their true and catholic sense, and to receive its Ordinances in their primitive and proper form. In few words, they will compel me to esteem our blessed Lord and Redeemer, as all in all in His Church; as the Prophet, the Priest, and the King, whom I, as a faithful disciple, am to love, honour, and obey; as, at once, the Author and Finisher of our faith, and the Author and Giver of life.

Q. Are these your reasons for adhering stedfastly to the Protestant Episcopal Church?

A. Yes! I deem it my duty to remain in her Communion, and my happiness that she clearly exhibits all the distinctive marks of a pure branch of "the Holy Catholic Church;" and is capable, if I be a faithful and obedient child of her Communion, to train me up for the Church triumphant in heaven. Her doctrines and services are of scriptural purity, and of primitive authority; her mode of administering the means of grace, is solemn, and calculated to

excite purely devotional feelings in the mind of the worshipper; and her Ministers are so connected with the Redeemer, and so dependant on His Commission, that they must ever esteem Him as the chief corner-stone in the glorious fabric of the Church of God. It must, therefore, It must, therefore, be my own fault, if I am not a lively member of Christ, a dutiful child of God, and a full heir of the kingdom of heaven. I could not, therefore, separate myself from the communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church of these realms, without incurring the sin of schism, which means a separation without cause from the household of God.

Part Second.

Q. GOOD CHRISTIAN: You say that you cannot separate yourself from the Protestant Episcopal Church, which has all the distinguishing marks of a true branch of the Holy Catholic Church. This may be all very well, in cases where you can conveniently attend Divine Service in that Church; but there are many situations, in which you may be placed, where this could not be done without much trouble, or where it might be next to impracticable. In Scotland, for instance, where in all districts the chapels of the Episcopal Church are but thinly scattered, and where in many, there is no place of meeting within twelve or twenty miles; do you think, that in such cases, you would be justified in forsaking the communion of the Church?

A. As I consider my duty to God to be a matter of extreme importance, and one with which I cannot venture to trifle, I should not consider myself justified in consulting my convenience at the expense of my fidelity. Heaven is a prize worth contending for. As a Christian, therefore, I think it my highest interest and privilege to seek it in the first place, and, as far as possible, without regard to the trifling