It is unnecessary for me to enumerate the various ways in which the volume of inspiration has been used as giving its holy sanction to the partial views of man. We all know that there is no extravagance of opinion which has not sometimes obtained for itself respect by founding its claims on the apparent authority of some detached portions of Scripture. Even the mysteries of our faith have been thus rejected with an unholy presumption; and the bold speculations of a specious infidelity have attempted to rob man of that " anchor of the soul sure and sted"fast," the faith in an incarnate Saviour, the belief "that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto "himself." Amidst such departures from the purity and integrity of primitive Faith, and such contentions about the true interpretation of Scripture, we have indeed reason to bless God, that the Bible has never been unaccompanied by an authorised and instructed ministry. That from the earliest period of the Christian Church, some have been bound, by the most sacred obligations, to devote themselves "to prayer and the ministry of the word." That holy office has devolved upon us, my brethren, and it is therefore our duty to watch with a godly jealousy the records of divine truth. Nor shall we faithfully fulfil our trust, unless we implore wisdom from HIM who can alone bless our enquiries; and at the same time use all diligence, and employ every aid that

may illustrate and explain the sacred writings. For the Bible is not intended to supersede every other means of Grace, nor does the possession of that sacred treasure render all other knowledge useless and insignificant. On the contrary, it calls for the best employment of our best imparted powers. We must indeed remember that we are on holy ground when we draw near to the revealed wisdom of GOD; but we are not forbidden to turn and see this great sight; we are not denied the reverential use of the faculties committed to our trust: on the contrary, we are taught to enquire of the doctrine, to "search the Scriptures ;" and to do this effectually we must have recourse to the secondary means of human learning; we must " bring forth out of our "treasure things new and old," that we may be "instructed unto the kingdom of heaven." The labours of the pious and the learned, the researches of science, the moral and social history of man, all invite our diligent attention, that we may learn

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rightly to divide the word of truth," to meet the various wants of those committed to our care, and "to give a reason of the hope that is in us." To refuse, or to undervalue, the assistances of human learning, because the Word of God is a light to our paths, would be like declining the use of our bodily senses when the brightness of the sun shines around us. The God who has given us the Scriptures, has

given us also the faculties by which we may understand their meaning; nor can it be reasonably supposed that the employment of our best powers in the service of the Almighty Giver, betrays any want of reverence for the wisdom that is from above. Learning indeed is not necessary to salvation, for the Word of Life adapts itself to every condition of human intellect, and the poorest of our Christian brethren need not despair because his knowledge is limited; but it is the duty of the Clergy to recollect, that the appointed ministry of the Word is one of the means by which the providence of God protects that limited knowledge from dangerous error; and upon us therefore it is incumbent, to use every method, which may explain or illustrate or recommend the Scriptures; and thus, while we carefully avoid the presumption of human ingenuity, the licentiousness of intellect, the besetting sin of those who are conscious of mental power, we must strive to become efficient instructors and safe guides; while we bring every rich endowment of the mind, as well as every moral virtue and every spiritual grace to" adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour."

But whatever care we may have taken to obtain sound views of Christian doctrine, we must cultivate with equal care STEDFASTNESS of PRINCIPLE. Conscious of the weakness of our nature, we should endeavour,

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by every means, to strengthen our attachment to the truth; and amidst the conflicts of human opinion, to remain unshaken, and to "hold fast our confi"dence and our rejoicing of hope firm unto the end.” For it is our duty to fix the wavering, and to strengthen the weak hearted; to draw into one the sheep of Christ's fold that are scattered abroad. We must therefore prove to all that we entertain an unity of interest and intention with the truly scriptural Church to which we belong. In conformity to the spirit which her services and her institutions inculcate, we must preach not ourselves, but Christ "Jesus the Lord," that we be not led astray by the vanity of the heart, from a simple declaration of Gospel truth. We must each of us contribute towards sustaining the true character of our Church, and exhibit her to the world as having one holy object, and as drawing her servants and her children together in one holy bond of spiritual union, preserving the beautiful harmony of faith and obedience, of doctrine and discipline. It is only a strict attention to this duty of consistent allegiance to the cause which we have solemnly espoused, that can protect us from the many allurements which endanger the firmness of our attachment to sound doctrine. The world is continually presenting excitement to our feelings, and making the sober dictates of a collected but pious mind appear lukewarmness; or investing

holy and well-directed energy with the character of disproportionate zeal. We are thus constantly solicited to censure what we should admire, and to deviate from the safe path into extremes destructive of Charity, and not seldom of the purity of Faith itself. We have also to contend against visionary speculations, and theories for perfecting our nature, which are captivating in their promises, but built upon unsound views of our moral and intellectual constitution. We must indeed rejoice in every rational design for the improvement of society, and respect every conscientious scruple: it is our duty and privilege to seek, in every way, the welfare of our brethren, and to shew them that we assume not a proud "dominion over their faith," but desire to be helpers of their Christian joy; but if we regard ministerial faithfulness, we must beware of every scheme of improvement, however popular, which has a tendency to destroy the stedfastness of religious principle, and to disguise under the name of liberality, an indifference to every" form of sound words," as if in his mortal state the spirit of man could exist without the body; as if a consistent adherence to the "faith once delivered to the saints" could be preserved, while we are careless of every principle of Church communion, and consequently, "blown "about by every wind of doctrine."