found. Where were the priests in these ill-omened times? Where were they? In the dungeon, on the scaffold, at the stake-bearing testimony for their God, and sealing their testimony with their blood!

It is not denied, that subsequently to this, when enthroned on the ruins of Paganism, and established in imperial favour, they became infected with the wide-spreading malady: then they also became centres of pestilence; and, being enveloped in the rushing darkness by a very common re-action, increased that darkness. In other words, contracting, from prevailing example, an intellectual degeneracy, they in turn became influential, and most powerfully contributed to extend degeneracy around. Their usurpations and tyrannies were nothing more than the natural consequences of this deploable state of things. They found the lamp of science utterly extinguished; and it is scarcely to be wondered at, that they improved the opportunity to become "blind leaders of the blind." They saw the fair fabric of civilization cloven to the base-fallen to the ground; and, instead of uselessly weeping, they aspired to reign o'er the ruin. In fine, like Cæsar, they saw the practicability of reducing a world to bondage-and who of mere mortal mould

could have resisted a temptation so alluring? Still, like Cæsar, they did not cause the evil; they only took advantage of the wretched times in which they lived: and had they not, such was the state of things, that, in all probability, a tyrant yet more hideous would have grasped the sceptre. I say not this to vindicate their conduct, but simply to show that, if they did exalt themselves "above all called God," and to confirm their usurpation, shackled the mental energies of man, they did so, in the first instance, not by violence, but by invitation, from the concurring circumstances in which they were placed.

. But I would be unfaithful to my task, Brethren, did I omit another claim they can boldly make to the indulgence of the man of science. Of the little cultivation which survived the wreck of Roman greatness, the Clergy were the sole patrons and preser

If Literature, from shining as the great orb of day, enlightening and adorning the earth with its beams, dwindled into a dying spark; let it not be forgotten that this spark was preserved from extinction by the Christian Priesthood. I need scarcely state that the word Clergyman is the same with that formerly used to designate one capable of writing, or call to

your recollection a fact still more striking, that in consideration of the absolute need of their literary services to the public, they received the privilege of exemption in many cases from capital punishment. It is sufficient to make the broad assertion, for it is incontrovertible, that for four hundred years, they were the centre of all knowledge, both human and divine. Thus, if instrumental in the general ill, they were the only class of men found to attempt an atonement, by alleviating its weight, and and setting bounds to its horrid progress.

And who burst at length the unhallowed prison of darkness and despair, which, to the disgrace of humanity, had so long confined all that is dignifying in life, and comforting in death ? Who, standing over the grave of murdered Truth, pronounced the reviving sentence-" Rise, come forth?" Who re-lighted the torch of knowledge with fire from heaven, enterprised to bear it over the waves, fix it on every mountain top, and so gloriously succeeded, that in a few years it may be almost affirmed, earth's remotest bounds were illumined with its blaze? Great Arbiter of the destinies of man! Thou didst the work; and when we forget thy compassions, may our tongues cleave to the roofs of our

mouths—may our right hands fall nerveless by our side! But, Brethren, I feel no hesitation in affirming, that this illustrious event, so important in all points of view to our happiness, and so auspicious to our hopes, is, under God, to be attributed to the Christian Ministry. Is it necessary to detail? Who but a priest, at the head of a band of priests, first dissolved the charm of papal supremacy, laughed at the fulminations of the anti-christian tyrant, and announced "Liberty" to the world? Who, I would ask with redoubled emphasis, after preserving from age to age, dragged from its sequestered hiding-place the classic page, renewing a Tully's thunder and a Homer's song? "This too claimed by the priests." Yes, Brethren, the priests; call them by what name you please—the Religious Order * were the achievers of the glorious enterprise.

* The question, whether the restoration of Literature was the effect of the reformation in religion, or vice versa, is entirely unimportant. If, on the one hand, it be granted, that commencing literary improvement produced those materials on which our theological Reformers worked with such surprising success; it is evident, on the other, that a revival of letters could never have been consummated without a reformation in religion. A popish literature must of necessity be partial; and more than this was never contemplated by Leo.

Blessed be God! When I look around me in the world, I can boldly declare, that the laurels they have won are not wilted on their brow-that the honour. able fame of forefathers has not been sullied by the degeneracy of the sonsthat the latter succeed to their rewards by a far better than hereditary claim. There is not a department in the wide extended circle of knowledge, but they fill with reputation and success. To their high honour be it said, that in universities and academies, they occupy the highest and most important stations; and is it going too far, my auditors, to say, that theirs seems pecu▪ liarly the province, of leading the youthful mind through the clouds of ignorance, and the mazes of doubt, to the intellectual Eden? The parish pastor too! humble, comparatively as

It may not be improper to remark in this connexion, that in the great revolution which took place in the 16th century, there appear to be three stages:-1st. An excitement of attention to letters, through the influence of learned Greeks from Constantinople (most of them probably of the clerical order,) the patronage of Leo X, the discovery of ancient manuscripts in Monasteries, &c. &c. 2d. A bold and successful attempt to shake off the fetters of Popery: And, 3dly. In consequence a general liberty of sentiment and diffusion of knowledge. In the first and second, the most important part undoubtedly was performed by the Clergy.