system of doctrine be by general consent denominated orthodox, and the Christian character be deni ed to those who dissent from it, what encouragement has a minister diligently to study the scriptures? What security has the preacher, that a diligent study of the bible will not lead to a view of Christian doctrine opposed to prevalent opinions, and constrain him to adopt a method of preaching, which will expose him to the loss of his good name, his living, and his influence? His sure course is to shut his bible,, and take the system of an orthodox divine as the rule of his faith, and as an authority for the doctrines which he preaches.

In conclusion.

The articles of Christian faith among primitive. professors were few in number, and plain and perspicuous in their nature. Christians then did not make divisions on account of difference of opinion in things not plainly revealed; but they were knit together in love; and the brother who was weak in faith they received, but not to doubtful disputation. Disputes and divisions in the Christian church have not been made about essential truths, but respecting articles on which wise and good men may dif fer, and which all Christians should hold with mutual forbearance and charity, maintaining the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace. If the disciples of Jesus possess the spirit of their Master, they will agree in opinion as far as is necessary for united endeavours to promote the great design of their religion. With this spirit, they may unitedly co-operate with God and with Christ, with apostles and evangelists in promoting the kingdom of righteous

ness, peace, and joy. The scripture, not the traditions of men, is the rule of protestants. Let us act consistently with our principle-drop the shibboleth of party-encourage the diligent study of the bibleallow to all the right of private judgment-permit men, without the hazard of their reputation or standing in society, to declare the result of their faithful inquiries; and never withhold our charity or our communion from those, who, by the temper of their minds, and the course of their lives, give evidence that they seek the truth in the love of it, and sincerely endeavour to do the will of God as far as they know it.

If different denominations of Christians would introduce the harmony and love of primitive times, they must drop the recriminating names, and cease from the interchange of those censures and condemnations, which the vain and angry disputes in the church have introduced, and which have become too common. Let us love as brethren, and may the God of peace dwell with, and bless us.

SERMON XXIII.

ON THE DOCTRINE OF IMMORTALITY.

Delivered on Christmas Day.

HOSEA xiii. 14.

I will ransom them from the power of the grave: I will redeem them from death. O death, I will be thy plague. O grave, I will be thy destruction.

THE human mind is prone to pass from one extreme to its opposite. This observation may be illustrated from the history of the Christian community. The Roman Catholick church carried ceremonial observances in religious worship to extreme abuse. They canonized numerous saints, and appointed so many days to be religiously observed in honour of their memory, as greatly to interfere with the important business of society. Like the Pharisees of old, the rulers of this church, in its corrupt age, made religion essentially to consist in the superstitious observance of external forms; and publick worship with them degenerated into a splendid but lifeless ceremonial service,

When the English church threw off the yoke of Popery, their rulers, in the opinion of many discerning and pious men, retained too many of the forms of the ecclesiastical establishment from which they separated. The ceremonies which they did preserve, were certainly enforced by measures which in their operation infringed the rights of private judgment, and violated the humane spirit of their religion,

Our ancestors, who fled from this imposition on conscience, associated with their disaffection to the dominating temper and the abusive practices of that hierarchy, a dislike to nearly all the circumstances common to its publick services. Every instrument of musick was excluded from houses of religious worship; and a form of ecclesiastical government and religious service was adopted, the best suited, perhaps, to the infant state of the colony, but not fitted for a great and independent nation in a state of improved society.

CHRISTMAS was pre-eminently distinguished among the holy days of the Romish and the English church; and the general opposition of our forefathers to their superstitions and abuses was extended to this festival. They, through several succeeding generations, refused to join in the religious offices of this anniversary.

We, their favoured descendants, fondly cherish the highest veneration for their memories: we dwell with delight on their love of civil and religious liberty-on their piety and patriotism: our hearts are warmed by grateful recollections as often as we review the invaluable institutions which they

have transmitted to us; and at the same time we rejoice that we are liberated from the prejudices which their situation rendered unavoidable. Not feeling the pressure of that iron hand which bore heavily on them, we can calmly separate accidental circumstances from essential principles. With higher means of instruction, we can consistently drop the weak and indifferent appendages of their system, while we sacredly adhere to its sound and vital parts.

In respect to ceremonial observances, a more liberal spirit now prevails through our country. In many of our religious societies organs have been introduced in church musick; and in most of them other instruments are now used without giving offence. While, in the progress of society, all other institutions have their appropriate ornaments, many think, that if social worship be left without decoration, it will be destitute of those external attractions, which to a large portion of mankind are beneficial, if not necessary; and they imagine that embellishment may be introduced, without corrupting the spirituality, or lessening the moral influence of publick worship.

Situated as we are, may we not, without unreasonable bias determine the degree of estimation in which Christmas services ought to be holden by a Christian community? The New-Testament has not appointed anniversary services in commemoration of the birth of our Saviour. If we celebrate this event, we should consider it as a privilege with which we are indulged, not as a duty divinely enjoined. This celebration is not by divine authority appointed; it