judgment was to be engaged in the advancement of a reasonable and well-deliberated cause.

Never perhaps could there be a time and circumstances more favourable to the flow and restrained adoption of just principles and moderate decrees than this period, when private and political interefts* confpired to promote the qualified acceptance of doctrines, prevailing by their intrinfic evidence, and ratified on that bafis of truth on which alone they could reft; while opposite parties pleaded with difcordant zeal against their establishment. Our Church therefore was confirmed on the most unexceptionable ground, and was demonstrated, not alone by the eloquent representations of its advocates, but by the ingenuous tribute of foreign applause †, to be the glory and bright ornament of the Reformation.

* Henry, by entering into a controverfy with Luther, had drawn the attention of his fubjects to the difputed points. Dur ing the vexatious delay of his application at Rome, he encouraged a difcuffion of the Papal claims, and endeavoured to intimidate the Pope, by moderating, and in part fufpending, the perfecution of reputed herefy. Ann Boleyn, his favourite Queen, was naturally provoked to fhew her refentment to the power which had obftructed her advancement, and was by principle inclined to favour the Reformers.

Grotius Epift. ad Boet.

In

In the defcription of a work, great and extenfive as was the Reformation, advancing by progreffive ftages of improvement, it is not neceffary to notice every fucceffive change, or to advert to every effort. Sufficient is it, if, by a representation of its permanent inftitutions, its general confiftency with reafon and religion, and the folidity of its principal foundations, be fhewn. As, by the magnitude of its object, and the extent of its defigns, it involved the various interests, and engaged the collected paffions of the nation in its progrefs, it could not but occafionally exhibit characters of exceptionable caft. Interested men often profeffed a popular caufe, and debafed it with prejudicial and unworthy councils. The detected error poffeffed a lingering influence; the ancient claim was reluctantly refigned. Such were the blemishes of a "fcheme of human conduct; defects inconfiftent with the general fpirit of the Reformation, and leaving but few ftains. The juft principle, though obftructed in its growth, was finally matured. The fincere doctrine, though industriously clouded, was at length cleared. The noble circle of the Confeffors and diftinguished leaders of the reformed faith, rejects the de

formity

formity of thefe fufpected characters, who were attracted by base allurements to espouse the cause. The integrity of the perfected establishment difclaims the difcredit of those errors, which were with difficulty removed from the fabric with which they had been long incorporated. In the completion of the work there is much indeed, to excite our reverence. Its importance can be estimated by thofe only who obferve its extensive influence over every department of life; who confider it as affecting every interest of the community, domestic and focial; as contributing to the advancement of liberal enquiry, moral improvement, civil and religious freedom.

The establishment of juft principles must ever be confidered as the bafis of public and private happiness. "All the earth calleth

upon the truth, and the heaven bleffeth it: "it endureth, and is always ftrong. With "her there is no accepting of perfons or re"wards; but he doeth the things that are

juft, and refraineth from all unjust and "wicked things; and all men do well like "of her works, and fhe is the ftrength, kingdom, power, and majefty, of all

66 ages

Its permanent characters are re

Efdras, chap. iv. ver. 16..

corded

corded only in the pages of revelation, fteady and unchangeable, while the theories of fancy and the delufions of falfehood rife but to difperfe, flourish, and are forgotten with the vanity which gave them birth.

The doctrines of Chriftianity are never merely speculative; nor is any particular difclofed in Scripture, folely to play on the imagination. Every communication is intended to fix the mind to fome folid object that calls for reverence, and intimates the precepts of practical obfervance *.

Hence

do moral virtues emanate from pure faith, with a luftre and confiftency dependent on the vigour of its attention, and the strength of its conviction.

The broad features of human corruption, exhibiting striking though varied afpects in every age, characterife fo ftrongly each period, that religion can no where difplay its predominant and unclouded character; and, in contrafting the great outlines of comparifon between different ages, we are often

Opinions," fays Bishop Warburton, "concerning the "nature of the Deity, fo entirely influence all religious prac"tice, that this invariably takes its character from thefe, and "becomes more or lefs perfect, as thefe are nearer to or farther removed from the truth." See Alliance, p. 60. and Plato's Eutych.

unable

unable to ascertain the relative fuperiority. If, however, by a comprehensive estimate of the complicated evils which have counteracted the operation of Christianity, we would afcertain its full effects, it would undoubtedly be found that they have been falutary and important in proportion to the fidelity. with which its precepts have been communicated and enforced: not only in great and prominent difplay, but in general and extenfive influence, among all claffes and descriptions of men, whether profeffing reverence for inftructions of revelation, or unconfcioufly adopting what they affect to disregard or oppofe *: improved in numberlefs circumstances, which give perhaps no glow to the colourings of history, though they certainly brighten the views of the times concerned, and contribute to difperfe the prejudicial in

* The members of the Romish Church have undoubtedly perceived the folly of many doctrines profeffed in their Creed; but as thofe doctrines are connected with established inftitutions, favourable circumftances must contribute to their removal. At present their champions fhelter themselves under qualifications and fubterfuge, disavowed by pofitive practice and authoritative declarations. Those who, offended by the corruptions of fuperftition, have been led to overlook the teftimonies, and undervalue the importance of religion, have often borrowed its precepts and adopted its principles.

fluence