practice what is written in Scripture. For instance, the Bible says, "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Well; the Church teaches us how we should do things, so that they may be done to the glory of God-how we may be baptized according to His holy will-how we may worship Him piously and acceptably-how we may enter into the holy state of matrimony reverently and religiously-how we may serve Him every day. The whole fabric of the visible Church upon earth is raised apparently with a view to assist God's servants to walk sincerely in the faith of Jesus Christ, and live to the glory of God the Father, Few people seem to think of this. There is in the present age a singular forgetfulness, I should rather say ingratitude, with respect to the benefits communicated through the ordinances of the Church. By some they are admired, perhaps reverenced as pious and edifying ceremonies; by others they are looked on as mere formalities; by too many they are really made so; few employ them as the means of deriving continually fresh streams of grace from the fountain of holiness. And, by natural consequence, there is a corresponding dearth of that godly peace, and calm religious feeling which is the blessed privilege of those

who walk in God's ways without turning to the right hand or to the left. Men are too generally either apathetic and indifferent, latitudinarian, semi-infidels, supposing one religion to be as good as another,—which is the same thing as believing truly in none,—or at best mere formal religionists; or else, if they are awakened to the necessity of vital religion, not knowing what is truth, they are bewildered in the maze of disputed doctrines, and become restless and excited, wearying themselves in vain endeavours to find rest and peace for their souls. Neither of these conditions is a state of Christian holiness: God has prepared better things for those who love Him, by giving them His Church to guide them safely in the way of truth. Only follow her guidance and you are safe.

The way of the Church is straight forward, regular, consistent, safe,-leading us from the cradle to the grave, in a state of holy pupillage. She first embraces us in her arms at Baptism. It is then we are ingrafted into the body of Christ, and endowed with the germ of Christian grace, which, if duly cherished, will grow up to life everlasting. The first instruments of the Church's teaching are our parents, who deliver to us those Scriptural truths which they have

received, showing us that, though by nature born in sin, the children of wrath, we are made by baptism "the children of God, members of Christ, and inheritors of heaven;" thus making our baptismal privileges, God's first mercies, the basis of the fabric of our faith. And then they take us with them to the house of God, to join the worship of the Church. How well do I remember the day when my father first led me by the hand to our Parish Church. There was no previous deliberation,-he did not ask me whether I would be a member of that, or any other communion; but took me with him, nothing loath-for I had been trained to consider it an excellent and blessed privilege. And I entered those sacred walls for the first time, with a mingled feeling of holy curiosity and reverence. And there it was that I received "line upon line and precept upon precept;" that form of sound words, which God has revealed in His sacred book.

You will wonder perhaps why I lay so much stress on these apparently trivial details. I wish to shew you, first, how much we already owe to the Church; how almost entirely we are indebted to her and not to our own reason or research

for our knowledge of divine truth. And next I desire to point out, that, as she has guided us in childhood, so she is ready to guide us through the whole course of our life.

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Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye become as little children, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Such are our Saviour's solemn and emphatic words, indicating to us the disposition of heart which during our whole life we should cultivate. As the child walks safely under the guidance of his parents, so may we, and so only can we, under the guidance of the Church. And it is not only the poor, the ignorant, and the illiterate-but the wisest, the most learned, the most practical, -all, if they would go through life in spiritual security, must follow the Church's guidance. Of course I do not mean to assert that we are not to investigate the ground of our faith, and compare the doctrine of the Church with that of the Bible. If this principle were admitted, we should still remain in the errors of Romanism. The Anglican Church founds her doctrines solely on Scripture, and requires nothing to be believed as an article of faith which may not be proved thereby. Therefore in

searching the Scripture we are but following the Church's instruction. She challenges enquiry, and is confident of the result.

But that which I am most desirous of impressing upon you as the means of preserving your faith entire, and rendering your journey through life godly and secure, is, that, acknowledging as you do the Divine origin and scriptural character of the Church, you submit yourself to her guidance, as a child submits to its parents. You believe in Christ, and desire to continue in that faith. Well, the Church has arranged a system of ordinances, some derived from the precepts of Christ himself, and some appointed by her own authority, whereby her children may keep alive the spirit of faith, and walk securely and safely. She treats you as your parents treated you. She tells you of God, and lays the Bible before you as his word. She leads you, as it were by the hand, within the walls of God's consecrated house; puts into your mouth pious formularies of prayer and praise; bids you listen to her ministers, as they teach you-not their own private interpretation of Scripture, or the dogmas of any sect, but the doctrines of the Christian Church. She leads you day by day, if you will follow her, in a regular course of reading through

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