And I confidently appeal to all learned men, whether of our own Communion, or of any other Persuasion; if I have not both honestly, and fairly, translated from the Hebrew, the Name, the glorious Name of Jesus Christ.

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, which I will require; even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to visit his Temple."

Having thus shewn why our holy Established Church teaches this sublime doctrine ; a doctrine so totally different from all the various false Religions upon earth: let us proceed to strengthen the proofs of her Ministers' authority.

The miraculous conversion of St. Paul by Jesus Christ himself, appearing in the clouds of Heaven: which appearance, as I have frequently shewn you from Scripture, always denoted the presence of God; and the frequent occasions on which Jesus also appeared to that zealous Apostle-these are abundant testimonials that what St. Paul teaches came from God; and must be true.

Now St. Paul appointed Timothy, and

13

Titus, as Bishops, or Overseers of the several Churches; and gave them power, derived from Christ our Lord Himself, to appoint others also. That so a perpetual Priesthood might maintain the eternal Truth; proclaim the one, only means of Salvation, unto all, and every succeeding generation of mankind.

And in the Revelation of Himself, and the future events of the Christian Church to the end of time, and opening of Eternity; our Lord Jesus Christ acknowledges this authority of his Ministers.

Why else did he tell his much beloved Disciple John, how to address the already established Churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, in Asia?

If one part of Scripture be true, the whole is true; provided it be perfectly consistent, and harmonious, throughout Holy Writ. No Christian will deny this position: therefore all Holy Scripture is true, because its harmony, and agreement, has been effectually shewn by able writers; and undaunted advocates of Truth: ever since the days of the Apostles.

Now, our Lord Jesus Christ sent by John

a particular command, and message, to each of those seven Churches; as He did generally by his Apostles unto all Nations. And in the conclusion of those messages, those acknowledgments of his Ministers' delegated authority; for the Apostles erected those Churches; our Lord thus affectingly, and sublimely, once more declares His Salvation.

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne; even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the

Churches."

Such then, brethren, is the undoubted authority of the Christian Priesthood; such the authority of our Established Church, like those other Churches established by Christ's Apostles, in the three only regular orders of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

The first are, like Timothy, and Titus, the first Bishops, and successors of the Apostles; each ruling over a peculiar district of the Catholic, or Universal, Church of our Lord

Christ. The second are the Presbyters, or Elders; for Priest and Presbyter are synonymous; the third are Deacons; the three Orders so called in the original Greek Language of the New Testament.

I said in the early part of this discourse, my friends and brethren, happy is it for you, and for us, that there is a regular Christian succession of Ministers. How would your children learn true Religion without Priests to keep alive its knowledge upon earth? Where would be the virtue of your beloved Daughters, the honour of your dutiful Sons; the happiness of the Wife of your heart, and your own domestic peace: without the blessed safeguards of Religion?

The Adversary will still cry out that we are paid for our labour. Yes, my beloved brethren, we are overpaid in the satisfaction we feel whenever we behold a young man of our flock firmly treading the path of virtue, and Religion; whenever we see the innocent blush mantling upon the cheek of holy chastity: and meet them at His altar, kneeling together to receive God's blessing on their Union.

To you, my fellow Ministers of a gracious

say,

“Let

Lord, and Saviour; I need not recall the happiness, the ever changing, ever pleasing delights of our Holy calling. To you, my younger hearers, who may be hoping one day to join us in our noble labour; I will "Search the Scriptures, for in them are contained all things necessary for our salvation." And in St. Paul's words, in this evening's second Lesson, I will add; no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers; in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Take heed unto thyself, and unto thy doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." For you all I will pray, unceasingly, that God may, together with the knowledge of His Truth; pour down His abundant mercy upon you, your children, and children's children: and upon every your soul of our fellow men, now living, or to be born hereafter.

And, praying for the peace, unity, and prosperity of the whole Church of Jesus Christ; now gradually spreading over all this beauteous Globe; I will humbly, and reve