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all such restrictions as could be justly complained of,-let us now look to ourselves; first, to the doctrine of our Church which they would undermine; secondly, to our constitution which they would pull down about our ears. In any further concessions, let us look well and warily to results. Let us not put our own Church and people into their power 18, which is what they anticipate, and what they will be behindhand in no casuistry to compass. Witness their power over great minds perverted, and of whose holiness it would be a sin to doubt! Witness their deceit in giving to dishonesty a specious face, and in putting wrong in the place of right, where the interests of a corrupt Church are at stake. "Be as moderate as you please the free and full performance of their religious duties. But I must draw a distinction between penal laws directed against religious opinions, and Parliamentary legislation directed against foreign usurpation."-THE TIMES, March 1st, 1851.

18 What a plain countryman said to me but a day or two ago, is quite true," When it comes to a dodge, the Papists beat us!" Let us take care that we do not come to a dodge, but hold firmly to the truth.

Nathaniel

Serm. iv.

431.

in the expressions of your zeal; but," ye Christian People, "let your moderation 19 be so known unto all men as to Marshall's be distinguished by all from coldness and indifference!" But for this, I should not have called your attention to such matters. At the same time, I would never choose it to be said that I was slow, upon an emergency, to lay before the people committed to my trust, the CORRUPTIONS OF THE CHURCH OF ROME.

Once more, take advice, take warning, and recollect ever that Popish doctrines always fall in with the corrupt devices and desires of our own hearts 20. When we fall into this snare, it is because we forsake Christ and His commands of

19 I must not omit to refer here to Puller's " Moderation of the Church of England." There is a new and good reprint of it by the Rev. Robert Eden, 1843.

20 No truer words than Secker's-"It is too well known that mankind will do any thing rather than their duty, and part with any thing sooner than their vices." Vol. vi. p. 370. His Sermons on Popery, and Abp. Sharpe's, together with the two small Treatises of Bp. Bull's, are full of practical information on the points dwelt upon in this Manual.

holiness. We will not have Him to

reign over us! And what then? As it has been strikingly said, "If the God of this world hath not quite blinded us, we shall soon see that we, who boast of our religion all the day long, have also, as Martin Luther used to speak, a Pope in Farindon's our own belly." Homely is the obser- 650. vation, but much cause had he to know the truth of it who contended, if not always temperately, yet boldly and out of a good conscience, for the Reformation which he tended so much to further.

Serm. ii.

1 John ii.

But, mind ye well, if by a holy Faith and a holy life and repentance unfeigned, we follow on to know the Lord, He has undertaken, and will undertake still, that we shall not greatly fall. And in this sense we have 66 an unction from the Holy One," knowing all things 20. which chiefly concern our well-being here and hereafter. Wherefore "Try the spirits whether they be of God." "Prove i. all things; hold fast to that which is good." 21. And what shall I say more? Only this: "Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and

S

1 John iv.

" 1 Thess. v.

2 Thess. ii. 16, 17.

God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."

SERMON VI.

PART II.

"ARE WE BLIND ALSO?"

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