By the same Author,

1. SERMONS, chiefly Practical. In 2 vols. 8vo. 24s.

2. A CHARGE delivered to the CLERGY of the ARCHDEACONRY of SALOP, in the Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, at the Visitation, in June, 1829.

3. A CHARGE, &c. in June, 1830. To which is added, an Address to the Churchwardens.

4. A CHARGE, &c. in June, 1831.

5. THOUGHTS on CHURCH ESTABLISHMENTS, and CHURCH REFORM. A CHARGE delivered to the CLERGY of the ARCHDEACONRY of SALOP, in the Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, at the Visitation, in June, 1833.

A CHARGE.

MY REVEREND BRETHREN,

However common the attempt may be for men to stifle their own reasonable apprehensions, and however natural their unwillingness to acknowledge them in the presence of their adversaries, there is, nevertheless, no wisdom, but great weakness, in drawing back from the steady contemplation of our real condition. And the season may be arrived when it is best to tell all men fairly that we are aware of it.

The gathering-cry of our assailants has gone forth with sufficient loudness through the country, and the taunt of confident defiance has been addressed with sufficient scornfulness to ourselves. If there is no need to be afraid of those who have set themselves in array against us, we still must

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not underrate their force, and it is meet that we should observe their attitude.

Then, my Reverend Brethren, though I should much rather have chosen to address you on some chief particular of ministerial duty and perpetual obligation, I am constrained to postpone it now. There is a time for all things. And our present business is to get a true view of our actual situation, that we may inquire how it best behoveth us to conduct ourselves. It is indeed no easy thing, under existing circumstances, to discuss the topics which I have chosen, either acceptably or discreetly. But I shall endeavour to be intelligible, and I am sufficiently accustomed to your indulgence, to be fully aware that I shall meet with a candid and kind construction. You will bear with me also, if I am obliged to refer again to some points on which I have spoken formerly.

The chief difference between our case, as it stands at this moment, and as it stood when last we met, is this that matters are more developed. Much which was then surmised, is now announced. And particularly we have now what then we had not-the official declaration of the "Three Denominations of Dissenters"-to this effect: that the Church Establishment of these realms ought to be overturned. And it is, at the same time, unequivocally intimated that when they themselves shall have obtained certain objects, which it suits them to accomplish first-they will

then, if they shall be able, overtura it. This is their ultimate design.

I do not say indeed that the general body of Dissenters are to be held accountable, in every case, for what is poured forth in a way of attack on the Establishment, or of invective against the clergy, by the daily journals. In looking at the reports of public meetings, I know that allowance must be made for the heat of the moment, and for the tone of exaggeration with which men are tempted to express themselves when they see that they have their party round them: and I do not affirm that there may not be very numerous individual exceptions even to the more deliberate declarations of the majority. Many may not yet have divested themselves of the views which very eminent men among their predecessors held, and have recorded, respecting religious establishments.*

"If it once

* See Dr. Owen before the Long Parliament. comes to that, that you have nothing to do with religion as rulers of the nation, God will quickly manifest that he hath nothing to do with you as rulers of the nation. The great promise of Christ is, that in these latter days of the world, he will lay the nations in a subserviency to him, the kingdoms of the world shall become his: that is, act as kingdoms and governments, no longer against him but for him." “In sum, there is not one of the promises recited, but holds forth the utmost of what I intend to assert from them all; viz. that the Lord hath promised that the magistrates whom He will give, own, and bless, shall put forth their power and act in that capacity wherein he hath placed them in the world, for the good, furtherance, and prosperity of the truth and

And they may absent themselves from these meetings because they are not willing to go all lengths with others. But still a great deal must necessarily be inferred from such demonstrations as I have spoken of, and a great deal will infallibly be effected, and is intended to be effected, by such proceedings. We know that every class has its organ in the public press: we see that the most violent in public debate are usually the most applauded. We cannot but learn hence, what the mind of the party is now, or fail to perceive the manner in which the more zealous are stirring up the ignorant, and the violent putting the moderate

Church of Christ. They shall protect them with their power, feed them with their substance, adorn them with their favour, and the privileges wherewith they are intrusted. If you are such magistrates as God hath promised, (as woe be unto you if you are not,) know that he hath undertaken for you that you shall perform this part of your duty." (See Sermon xxxix p. 440 -442.)

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'Q. What is the duty of political fathers, or magistrates, to their political children or subjects?

"A. To govern them with wisdom, (2 Chron. 1-10.) justice, (2 Chron. xix. 5, 6, 7.) and piety, (2 Sam. xiii. 3.) carefully providing for their souls in every place of their dominion. (2 Chron. xvii. 9.)”—Flavel's Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.

See Matthew Henry on the above text." He, Jehoshaphat, sent forth teachers of truth. What an abundance of good may be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it; when princes with their power, and priests and Levites with their scripture learning, agree to teach the people the good knowledge of Godand their duty!" And on Isa. xlix. 23.