SERMON VII. 2 TIM. ii. 19, 20. Nevertheless the foundation ftandeth fure, having this feal, the Lord knoweth them that are his; and let every one that nameth the name of Chrift depart from iniquity. But in a great boufe there are not only veffels of gold and of filver, but also of wood and of earth; and fome to honour, and fome to dishonour. IN 66 N condemning the profane and cankering vanity of those, who, " concerning the "truth, had erred," and who had "over"thrown the faith of fome," the apostle reflects with confolation, that nevertheless the foun ation ftandeth fure; on which all who should rest, as on a folid principle, fhould be confirmed under the feal* of the Divine ap 2 Tim. ch. ii. ver. 19. ver. 5. Ephef. ch. i. ver. 13. 2 Cor. ch. i. ver. 22. ch. v. ch. iv. ver. 30. S2 probation; probation; characterized as the Difciples of God, amidst the unworthy, and fanctified as heirs of eternal glory. In reverence for that facred foundation, which was established as the ground-work of reform in this country, it is fatisfactory to confider, that its immoveable principles were uniformly refpected; and hence it was, that those who "fet forward the work" perceived it to profper in their hands; and like the returning captives who rebuilt the Temple of Jerufalem, having feparated themselves "from the filthiness of the land," refused again to break the commandments of the 66 Lord, and join in affinity with the people "of abominations ;" and "experienced the "hand of God upon them for good," enabling them to finish it according to his commandment, notwithstanding the machinations of those who ftrove to fruftrate their purpose, and by concealed and open induftry to undermine and overturn the fabric. In reviewing the struggles of that antichriftian fuperftition which writhed under the foot of the victorious faith, and the exertions of * Ezra, ch. iii. ver. 8. ch. iv. ver. 5. ch. vi. ver. 14, 21. ch. viii, yer, 22. ch. ix. ver. 14. that that wild spirit of innovation which rofe into vigour, under powerful and ambitious patronage, we lament indeed, in their first mischief, fome wounds inflicted on the strength and beauty of the afcendant form; but which difturbed not the steady and consistent firmness of the Reformation, preferving its character unshaken by danger, and moderate in its most triumphant fuccess. It fhould not detract from the reverence due to a Church, which hath "holden faft "Chrift's name," and hath not denied his faith, if "a few things" fhould be found written against it; nor need there be any folicitude to deny that individuals have often deviated from the maxims of public profeffion. Impartial reflection may exult, however, on a retrofpect of the operation of those principles which are confecrated in characteriftic diftinction of our Church; and the influence of which it would be injurious not to confider in the estimation of its pretenfions. In the profecution of our fubject, therefore, we fhall endeavour to illuftrate their effect through fucceffive periods; not by ftrained and unqualified panegyric, but by a reference to substantial and incontrovertible proofs of excellence. Amidst the viciffitudes in which the Church may be contemplated, in the times that fucceeded its full eftablishment, it will be found, if confidered in its diftinct character, to deserve admiration under three principal points of view. First, as having maintained a general truth and confistency in its doctrines; fecondly, as diftinguished for its moderation and tolerant fpirit; and thirdly, as having advanced the effential interefts of the country, as well by confpiring with the defigns of civil liberty, as by promoting religious and moral virtues. The changes which took place in the public Creed and worship from the first commencement of reform till its eftablishment under Elizabeth, were, if we except the violent and partial reftitution of the Romish faith in the reign of Mary, but fucceffive steps in the gradual advancement of true religion, and have been idly urged in proof of the fickle and inconftant faith of the nation. That fome compliant and interested men bowed with their fovereign to the idols which they had been enlightened to defpife *, and facrificed their faith to confiderations of * 2 Kings, ch. v. ver. 18. earthly |