Pride revolts at the humiliating views which it presents of the corruption and helplessness of human nature; or else, filled with the desire of becoming a leader of a party, strikes out a path for itself, in which truth is sacrificed to novelty. Curiosity desires to be wise above that which is written, and bewildering itself in vain attempts to discover what God has not revealed, blends its own unhallowed speculations with sacred truth. All pervert and bend the Bible to speak their language, and accommodate itself to their views. Self-love chooses from among the various sects that which most flatters its own feelings, while education transmits, confirms, and perpetuates the error. Thus at the present time, we see a very numerous party denying the commission of an appointed ministry, and contending for the right of every man, no matter how ignorant, and upon no better authority than his own will, to take upon himself this solemn office. Another party rejects the sacraments which Christ appointed and a third, of whom it is not uncharitable to declare (for it is a notorious fact, both the former have shown a strong tendency to decline) have gone to the extreme of denying the divinity of the Saviour, the efficacy of his atonement, and the very existence of the Holy Spirit. Yet all these pretend to derive their opinions from the Bible. Thus it has been in all ages: nor is it necessary to trace the many heresies which present themselves at every step as we follow the history of the Church, since we find them prevailing even in the days of the Apostles. 66 In the message of the Spirit to the Seven Churches of Asia, recorded in the second and third chapters of the Revelations, peculiar pre-eminence is given to fatal errors which had already prevailed among them. St. Peter declares of the Epistles of his beloved brother Paul, “that they contain things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction." He foretels that false teachers shall arise," who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them." And in the Epistle from which our text is taken, the Apostle warns Timothy to charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith," from which, he adds, "some having swerved, have turned aside to vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm." Again, he charges him to hold faith and a good conscience, "which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck." And again, he closes the former Epistle with a similar caution: "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science, falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith.” Still stronger are his cautions in the second Epistle. He speaks of men having "a form of godliness," but denying the power thereof; who creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts; ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." He charges him “ to preach the word; to reprove, rebuke and exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine; for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables." He charges him solemnly in the words of our text "to hold fast the form of sound words:" and in the following chapter enjoins him to preserve the purity of the Church, by providing for it a succession of faithful ministers, thoroughly established in the truth. "The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." It was the practice of faithful men from the earliest time to guard against the evils thus strongly declared, by promulgating an authorized Creed, embodying the essential articles of Christian truth in a form so clear that all may understand, and none mistake it. The earliest of these forms is what we denominate the Apostles' Creed; which, though we have no evidence that it was drawn up by the Apostles themselves, yet in substance is to be traced to a very early age of the Christian Church, and is then so explicitly referred to an earlier period, that probably we shall not err in considering that it was designed to counteract the heresies which the Apostle so strongly denounces and laments. At later, but still very early periods, the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds were drawn up to meet the cavils and subtleties of heretics, who laboured perseveringly to undermine that sole foundation of the Christian's hope the divinity of his Lord and Redeemer. These Creeds, like the Articles and Liturgy of our own Church, are not designed as a substitute for the Scriptures, but rather to incite and assist in the diligent study of them. They furnish the inquirer, who from youth or ignorance has not yet been able to examine them thoroughly, with a key to sacred truth. They assist religious instruction, and secure from dangerous errors but they have no authority in themselves, except in as far as they may be proved by certain warrant of Scripture. "The Church hath power to decree rites and ceremonies, and authority in controversies of faith and yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to God's word written. Neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore, although the Church be a witness and a keeper of holy writ, yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the same; so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of salvation."-Art. xx. With admirable consistency our Church, while she maintains and offers to the people Articles of religion to confirm their faith, and a Liturgy to guide their devotions, affords also the most ample means of trying them. A very copious reading of the sacred Scriptures forms a prominent part of all her services. In this point she well contrasts with the conduct of many who resist and revile her; who contend that the people should be abandoned to the guidance of teachers, often incompetent, and not seldom unsound; yet deny them the aid of a scriptural form of worship, exclude almost entirely from their public services the word of God, and so feed the multitude with the crude and unwholesome fruits of their own imagination, instead of with the bread of life. The Articles and Liturgy of our Church were framed by men whom all Protestants venerate as the champions of the Reformation; whose competency was undoubted; who are endeared to us by the memory of their virtues, their piety, disinterestedness, and moderation; who adorned their faith with their lives, and sealed it with their blood. Strange it may appear, strange it truly is, that though the framers of our articles were nurtured in popery, and but just emerged from the darkness of centuries, they have given us a compendium of divinity which, after 300 years, is still received as a standard in accordance with God's word, not only by our own Church, but also by many who separate from us; and that, amidst the fiercest strife of conflicting opinions, their moderation was so singular, that though these articles may be freely used by Christians for establishing their faith, they cannot be used for their purposes of party contention. Surely the spirit which inspired the prophets and apostles, guided and blessed the labours of these holy confessors and martyrs in accomplishing a work so far beyond human judgment and human discretion! The blessing is for us to enjoy. May we have grace to use it aright, thankfully ascribing to God the glory! The Articles of our Church establish sound doctrine, guard against errors, lay down general rules of church discipline, and indicate the more important civil duties and privileges of Christians. Each of these points would afford ample subject for discussion, but time forbids me to enter upon them. It is enough now to point to their practical commentary, written with a sunbeam in the history of the church and country. Let orthodoxy, preserved untainted through centuries of trial, attest their soundness. Let peace within the Church, whatever storms may have assailed from without, show the excellence of her discipline. Let, on the one hand, her firmness in maintaining God's truth against the power of the State, if need be, and by which she so nobly saved the country from popery in the reign of James II.; and on the other hand, her not less firm advocacy and consistent example of that reverent obedience required by scripture for kings and lawful authorities, by which she became the safeguard of England when threatened with anarchy at the close of the last century, and is at this moment the hope and rallying point of all true men; let these, while they endear her to every Englishman and Christian as the champion at once of loyalty and freedom, not sacrificing one duty to another, and thereby destroying both, but consistently and harmoniously uniting them: rendering unto Cæsar the things that be Cæsar's, and unto God the things that be God's;" let THESE prove the soundness of her principles, and the excellency of her standard. But are the doctrines thus set forth in the Articles left in the cold nakedness of abstract truths? No. The Church has embodied them in a form of life and warmth ;-of energy, beauty, and devotion. To you, who are accustomed, Sabbath after Sabbath, to worship in the words of our Liturgy, need I dwell upon the purity of its faith, the chaste simplicity of its language, the fervour of its prayers and thanksgivings, the comprehensiveness of its objects? use. But, say they, who never use it, it becomes tiresome by so frequent Answer, you to whom it is the most familiar! Tell how new beauties present themselves the more you study it; how it becomes increasingly precious to you, the more you dwell upon it; how it never appears dull, but when you have reason to lament the frame of your own mind; how it is always felt the more delightful, the higher your feelings can rise to heavenly things. "The fairest productions of human wit, after a few perusals, like gathered flowers, wither in our hands, and lose their fragrancy; but these unfading plants of Paradise become, as we are more accustomed to them, still more and more beautiful; their bloom appears to be daily heightened, fresh odours are emitted, and new sweets are extracted from them. He who has once tasted their excellencies will desire to taste them again; and he who tastes them oftenest will relish them best." Nor let me omit reminding you of the provision made for the instruction of the young in our admirable Catechism; a composition which within the compass of two or three pages, and in language intelligible to a child, affords a compendium of christian faith, and an exposition of christian practice. Nor yet overlook those other services, by which duty is so impressively enforced, and consolation so effectually offered on the most important and solemn occasions :-at marriage, at baptism, at confirmation; in sickness, and beside the grave. At all times, under all circumstances, the Church meets us to prompt the best feelings of the heart, and to offer words in which to express them. The services of the Church are essentially practical. They give no countenance to that vain and defective religion which rests upon the profession of doctrines, and neglects practical duties. Their language. is, """ Do you know these things? happy are ye if ye Do them!" Pure morals, as the fruit of a sound faith, this forms the christian character." In vain does he talk of love to God, who neglects his duty to his neighbour. God is dishonoured by that man who brings a scandal upon a religious profession by inconsistent conduct. To subdue every evil temper; to control the passions; to cultivate justice, meekness, purity, temperance, brotherly kindness, charity-these are the requirements of religion, these the natural fruits of a heart renewed in Christ; this the conduct by which we may win the admiration of others for the principles we profess. "Let your light so shine before men, that others seeing your good works may glorify your Father who is in heaven." And thus the Church in her catechism, in her liturgy, in her collects, in her selections from Scripture, in her occasional services, at once teaches doctrine, and enforces practice. How shall we sufficiently bless God for the safety, the abundance, the blessings of that fold in which it has pleased the good Shepherd to place us! Great indeed are your privileges! Prize them as a treasure above all cost. Consider them thoroughly that you may be ready to give an answer to every gainsayer. Guard them vigilantly when the ignorance of some, and the malice of others, would assault and overturn the Church in which they are found. Use them well, lest God in his displeasure should deprive you of their blessings. For remember that as are your privileges, such are God's claims upon you; and in as far as you exceed others in the means of grace, so far are you required to excel them in knowledge, love, and holiness. Pray, therefore, at all times; pray earnestly that God may enable you to improve your many and great advantages, that the Holy Spirit may dwell in your hearts in wisdom, purity, and peace; VOL. XX. Bishop Horne's Introduction to the Psalms. NO. VIII. that you may daily increase in knowledge, and grow in grace. Pray also for the safety, peace, and prosperity of the Church, in which and through which you receive so many blessings. Pray for me, your minister, that I may be strengthened to declare unto you the whole counsel of God, that he may bless my labours among you abundantly, and that in the great day, when we must stand together before the judgment-seat of Christ, we may give account of our stewardship with joy, and together enter with all the universal Church into the rest of heaven. MISCELLANEOUS. NATIONAL EDUCATION. SIR,-Allow me to call the notice of your readers to a very important subject, which has lately engaged the attention of parliament, and which, it is probable, will hereafter still more extensively engage the attention of the public. I allude to the project of a systematic legislative education, as proposed by Lord Brougham, in the Upper, and by Mr. Wyse, in the Lower House of parliament. The plan is professedly borrowed from that of Prussia, and is only slightly modified to meet the circumstances and institutions of this country. The following is a brief analysis of the Bill: "The Board of Education to consist of five commissioners, viz. the President of the Council, one of the principal Secretaries of State, and three paid commissioners, appointed by the Crown, but not removable except by address to both houses of parliament. They may appoint a secretary and two clerks. 66 They are to manage and distribute the funds vested in them by parliament for establishing, or maintaining, extending, or improving those already established, whether infant schools, ordinary schools, model schools, or schools for training teachers. They may also undertake the care of any voluntary funds for schools. They are to give advice and assistance to all applications from governors and trustees of schools. They may visit any school, which thus becomes subject to their examination. They appoint inspectors, not more than ten ;' which appointment is vested in the life-commissioners, with the concurrence of one of the officers of state; and the Treasury is to settle their remunerations, and all the particulars are to be laid before parliament. "The inspectors have power to examine all endowed schools which come under the Charity Act, all which have been assisted by parliamentary grants, and all enrolled under this Act. They are to report to the commissioners, and to furnish a copy to the parties. In corporate towns the town-councils may concert with the commissioners as to the establishment or improvement of schools; on the approval of the commissioners, they may levy a rate, and make rules for the same; which rules are not to be altered without their joint consent. "The commissioners may enrol and grant certificates to any mechanic's institute or other literary and scientific society, on the representation of the treasurer and secretary. |