has found that the stubborn and reluctant soil of the heart will yield to no culture but that of religion; and that to make men politically wise, one of the best of all expedients is to make them spiritually and morally good. It is here, then, that a grand sphere of duties opens, with these pregnant and heart-stirring times, upon the Ministers of Religion. It is as to this point that they are called to act the loftiest and most influential part on the stage of human existence. They, in an especial sense, hold the key which unlocks all the noblest energies and sympathies of our nature. They have direct access to the armoury in which are collected the only effectual weapons against the corruptions of our nature. They go forth in the strength of that all-powerful Being who alone, by the influences of his Spirit, can touch the mysterious springs of thought and feeling within us. They carry along with them, into the solemn ministrations of the sanctuary, and into the quiet walks of domestic life, "the only Name under heaven given, whereby," not merely the soul may be saved," but the man constrained to live no longer for himself but for God, and for human nature. Are they not then called, as by a voice of thunder, to the bold, unwearying, unfaltering discharge of this high function? Have they leisure for inferior pursuits? Are they to fritter away their few and precious hours among the follies of life, the squabbles of parties, or the petty details of ephemeral politics? shall they not leave 66 "the dead to bury their dead?" And can it be doubted whether the Ministers of the Church of England are especially summoned to this high enterprize? Why are we called to exercise our spiritual office in what we deem the purest church in the world? For what are our endowments bestowed? Why are we distinguished as the ministers of the national church, but that the nation as a whole, and our parishes as a part, are to feel the influence of our ministrations? Why are we permitted not merely with others to sit under the national vine, but to eat of its fruits, unless we are to give ourselves, hand and heart, to nourish its roots, to prune its branches, and to protect it against every enemy? It was said of the church, at a particular period, that "her fortunes grew better, her children worse, and her fathers worst of all." This cannot now be affirmed of the Established Church. Her "fortunes," though she has yet a number of friends who will be true to her, as long as she is true to herself, have seldom perhaps been more in jeopardy than at the present moment. Let the Clergy strive individually, and as a body, in dependence upon the great "Head" of the church, that her children shall every day become better," and her ministers "best of all." We cannot force men into religion; and, if we could, force is any thing but the proper instrument of our warfare-non religionis est, cogere religionem. But we may, "by preaching and argument, by charity and sweetness, by holiness of life, assiduity of exhortation, by the word of God, " and prayer*", hope to win men from error, and attach them to the truth. And happy is that Minister of Religion who, though no sharer of his country's wealth or honours, can calmly consign himself to his grave of turf, with the joyful remembrance that he has, though with much imperfection, for which he casts himself on the compassion of his God, striven heartily, honestly, and in the gentle and loving spirit of his Master, to take much from the burdens of his country, and add much to her joys. * Jer. Taylor: Liberty of Prophesying. Ellertou and Henderson, Printers, BY THE SAME AUTHOR, SERMONS. In Two Volumes. 8vo. Fifth Edition. 21s. boards. SERMONS for the FESTIVAL of EASTER. 12mo. Third Edition. 3s. 6d. boards. MORNING THOUGHTS in Prose and Verse on Single Verses in the successive Chapters of St. MATTHEW. Second Edition. 3s. boards. MORNING THOUGHTS (as above) on St. MARK. 3s. boards. |