order and happiness, equally impel them to aim at preference and power. Now, the levelling that submission which is due to any kind of establishment that can plead the authority of divine ordinance, and which has been subscribed to by general consent, must inevitably open a floodgate to licentious liberty and confusion, and reduce the community to the wild and barbarous state of ungovernable equality; and the meanest labourer, in the fervour of deluded fancy, may conceive himself equally capable and qualified to teach, as any other who has no better testimony to show than his own persuasions: for, as to education, when that can ⚫ be supplied by so powerful a substitute as immediate inspiration, every man, on the principles of original equality, and the insufficiency of order and outward commission, lays claim to similar privilege and benefit. And if some, who have had all the advantages of learning, can yet descend to encourage such an error in this respect, no wonder the ignorant and bold should transgress the bounds of decency and order; for all must be concluded strictly deserving such a description, who impiously invade the sacred office, and deal out their indigested doctrines with presumptuous freedom. From such, my friends, I warn you to turn aside; and my reason is, because you will

most likely be told by such persons, what will prejudice you from attending your own holy church, confuse your thoughts, and unsettle your minds.

As for instance, in many of these private conventicles, and by these self-formed teachers, you will hear the whole body of the regular clergy occasionally held forth in a contemptuous light; the weakest and most presumptuous pleas advanced for the preference of their own fraternity, and our mode of preaching objected to, as not being under any influence of the Spirit of God-a favour they arrogate to themselves in a high degree; and one proof they give of this is, because it has not the test of extempore delivery: the most silly and falsest argument; as if every good man did not ask God's blessing upon his professional labours, and that it was not as necessary to a written discourse, as to every religious exertion whatsoever; or as if the value of God's gift of understanding, and his blessing in the mighty benefits derived from good education, did not form an eminent portion of the divine favour.

Let us now coolly and candidly determine, which has the best mark of the divine concur rence and gracious aid; a discourse partaking of all the essential ingredients to render it safe, intelligible, and to God's honour, and the important interests of his servants; or a jumble of indi

gested subjects, needless repetitions, and low comparisons, often interrupted by actual deficiency, both as to utterance and matter, notwithstanding the boasted assistance of the Spirit; and, to speak most charitably, so often intermixed with offensive observation and downright nonsense, that if the whole were committed to writing from the lips of the inspired orator, and shown to him at a little distance of time, he would be justly ashamed of the composition, most probably disown it, nor venture to allow it those signs of that immediate unerring influence, which can never be the author of confusion and absurdities. But even were these discourses connected, eloquent, and without any of the objections above mentioned, which may be the case with some, where thought, talent, and study, distinguish the performance; yet, this is no more a proof of the Spirit being more particularly concerned in producing these compositions, than in one from manuscript, the effect of deliberation, judgment, and correction; for men have their various natural talents. The Apostle saith, No man can call Jesus, Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Does it matter whether I make this confession with a book before me, or without one? He saith further, Now, there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit; which is proof enough that no preference is due, merely for talking by rote, not even though

the matter should be intelligible and edifying, Again, The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. Now, which bids fairest to possess the manifestation of a wise and teaching spirit, and to furnish profit to the hearers; that which is an object of respect, and will bear examination, or that which is often an object of ridicule, and can stand no sound inquiry? I leave the decision to your own impartial sentence.

The greatest hypocrite may have the natural faculty of a good memory, and the knack of extemporizing, and may be possessed of audacious confidence and strong nerves; while the most holy man alive, and the most religiously informed, could not be prevailed upon to deliver a sermon without his notes, in public, upon any consideration; and though, perhaps, with every other qualification for the task, but constitutional audacity, might possibly fail, were he to attempt it. But if this man's life is upright, if his example is profitable, if his doctrine is founded upon evangelical principles, is he to be degraded as not being yet taught of God? None but fools or fanatics will assert it. Thus you see, my friends, how you may be gulled out of the evidence of your own understandings.

But, further, there is a great deal in early habit, as well as peculiar gift; and it will not admit of doubt, but that men of genius might

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in a degree avail themselves of the advantage of prompt delivery in the pulpit, as in other oratory, were it the custom to have it early practised, and that without the additional effect of inspiration; though in solemn charges, perhaps, the more circumspect and guarded method is the best.

To vary the subject of uncharitable reflection and invidious censure, and rather than not indulge this usual talent in the lower class of teachers, when the minister does not afford fair game, they will vilify our public service. They often object to some hard words that may be found therein. Now, the same exceptions may be advanced with equal propriety and weight, against many parts of our translation of the Bible itself. The word schism, for example, gives great offence, has a host of enemies, and it is very natural it should; for, who is over-fond of a word which conveys immediate reproach and censure (and so very justly) upon his own misconduct in this particular? No schismatic, consequently (i. e. no needless separatist from the church in which he was born and bred), will praise the application of this term, because it bears so hard against himself. It is therefore highly politic in all such to conjure up some mischief in this harshsounding word, which may work a prejudice in the ignorant multitude.