would never have done their business without participating in that spirit. It says much for the Reformation that they should have been so moderate and mild as they To expect that there should have been at once all that there ought to have been, is unreasonable. Such maturity in such infancy, had been out of the harmony of things both in providence and grace.

were.

But more may be reasonably expected from us who are alive now. It is now three hundred years since the vineyard was let to us, but are we even yet bringing forth the fruits thereof? These fruits are LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG-SUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, MEEK* But what church, or who among

NESS, TEMPERANCE.

us will say that these are our characteristics, or even the objects we aim at? The evangelical churches of the Continent are, indeed, not equally to be charged with fruitlessness, or rather ashes for fruit. Their position in reference to the Church of Rome, which is still dominant there, has enabled them to maintain Christian unity better than us, and has urged them beautifully to mutual recognition and love, so that, in these respects, they are far beyond us. And as the fruit of their love, they enjoy the pleasing reward of numbers being added to them daily, both from the ranks of infidelity and of Romanism. But it is far otherwise here. The Romish priesthood having been subdued in our country, has left us without that pressing motive to unity which has brought into a more kindly brotherhood the evangelical churches abroad, in order the better to resist the great enemy of primitive Christianity. It is also a general fact, that the Christian graces, all of them, tend always to be most conspicuous in the weaker party, especially if it be treated by the stronger in any manner to which the name of persecution can be applied. Now with us, ever since the

* Gal. v. 22.

Reformation, we have been the stronger party. We have had little else to do, in reference to the reformation, but to admire the event, adore God for it, and celebrate the men who were the instruments of achieving our Christian liberty for us. Hence we have very natu

rally tended to maintain and imitate their spirit, in its faults, as well as in its excellencies. Thinking ourselves safe, when animated by the spirit of that glorious epoch, we have ourselves too often confounded the spirit of the age with the spirit of the Reformation,-too often breathed a spirit of authority, where nought but the voice of Christ, and of patience, and of persuasion, ought to have been heard. Each church affects an authority in reference to others, which it neither has the right nor the power to effectuate. Or if churches, acting in their corporate capacity, do not, yet numberless individual Christians in them do. How many among us are hostile towards each other! And are not almost all suspicious of all but the members of their own communion! Now this cannot last. But whether it is to be brought to an end by merited judgment being inflicted by Popery or Infidelity, or whether a time of refreshing and revival in favour of brotherly love be near at hand, God only knows. Certain it is, however, that our duty is plain. One thing only is needful. Let but unity of spirit, mutual esteem and love, a fraternal feeling between all evangelical churches, and all who love the Lord Jesus, prevail, and all will soon be well,-all will soon be as it ought to be. And the churches of the Reformation, instead of being a byword both to Infidelity and Popery, because of their schisms, will become a praise through the whole earth, and into them will all God-seeking spirits fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows.*

*Isaiah lx. 8.

PART IV.

THE

LIGHT OF SCRIPTURE PRINCIPLES AND

PRECEPTS.

THE LAW.

THE PROPHETS.

THE GOSPELS.

THE EPISTLES.

THE WHOLE BIBLE.