In the defcription of a work, great and extenfive as was the Reformation, advancing by progreffive ftages of improvement, it is not neceffary to notice every fucceffive change, or to advert to every effort. Sufficient is it, if, by a reprefentation of its permanent institutions, its general confiftency with reafon and religion, and the folidity of its principal foundations, be fhewn. As, by the magnitude of its object, and the extent of its defigns, it involved the various interefts, and engaged the collected paffions of the nation in its progrefs, it could not but occafionally exhibit characters of exceptionable caft. Interested men often profeffed a popular caufe, and debased it with prejudicial and unworthy councils. The detected error poffeffed a lingering influence; the ancient claim was reluctantly refigned. Such were the blemishes of a fcheme of human conduct; defects inconfiftent with the general fpirit of the Reformation, and leaving but few ftains. The juft principle, though obftructed in its growth, was finally matured. The fincere doctrine, though industriously clouded, was at length cleared. The noble circle of the Confeffors and diftinguished leaders of the reformed faith, rejects the de

formity

formity of thefe fufpected characters, who were attracted by base allurements to efpouse the cause. The integrity of the perfected establishment difclaims the difcredit of thofe errors, which were with difficulty removed from the fabric with which they had been long incorporated. In the completion of the work there is much indeed to excite our Its importance can be estimated by thofe only who observe its extensive influence over every department of life; who confider it as affecting every intereft of the community, domestic and focial; as contributing to the advancement of liberal enquiry, moral improvement, civil and religious freedom.

reverence.

The establishment of just principles must ever be confidered as the basis of public and private happiness. "All the earth calleth

66

upon the truth, and the heaven bleffeth it: "it endureth, and is always ftrong. With "her there is no accepting of perfons or re"wards; but he doeth the things that are 66 juft, and refraineth from all unjust and "wicked things; and all men do well like "of her works, and fhe is the ftrength, kingdom, power, and majefty of all Its permanent characters are re

66

tr ages

Efdras, chap. iv. ver. 16.

corded

corded only in the pages of revelation, steady and unchangeable, while the theories of fancy and the delufions of falfehood rife but to difperfe, flourish, and are forgotten with the vanity which gave them birth.

The doctrines of Chriftianity are never merely fpcculative; nor is any particular difclofed in Scripture, folely to play on the imagination. Every communication is intended to fix the mind to fome folid object that calls for reverence, and intimates the precepts of practical observance *. Hence

do moral virtues emanate from pure faith, with a luftre and confiftency dependent on the vigour of its attention, and the strength of its conviction.

The broad features of human corruption, exhibiting striking though varied aspects in every age, characterise fo ftrongly each period, that religion can no where difplay its predominant and unclouded character; and, in contrasting the great outlines of comparifon between different ages, we are often

Opinions," fays Bifhop Warburton, "concerning the "nature of the Deity, fo entirely influence all religious prac❝tice, that this invariably takes its character from these, and "becomes more or lefs perfect, as these are nearer to or far"ther removed from the truth." See Alliance, p. 60. and Plato's Eutych.

unable

unable to ascertain the relative fuperiority. If, however, by a comprehensive estimate of the complicated evils which have counteracted the operation of Christianity, we would afcertain its full effects, it would undoubtedly be found that they have been salutary and important in proportion to the fidelity with which its precepts have been communicated and enforced: not only in great and prominent display, but in general and extenfive influence, among all claffes and defcriptions of men, whether profeffing reverence for inftructions of revelation, or unconfciously adopting what they affect to difregard or oppofe *: improved in numberless circumstances, which give perhaps no glow to the colourings of hiftory, though they certainly brighten the views of the times concerned, and contribute to difperfe the prejudicial in

The members of the Romish Church have undoubtedly perceived the folly of many doctrines profeffed in their Creed'; but as thofe doctrines are connected with established inftitutions, favourable circumftances must contribute to their removal. At present their champions fhelter themfelves under qualifications and fubterfuge, difavowed by pofitive practice and authoritative declarations. Those who, offended by the corruptions of fuperftition, have been led to overlook the teftimonies, and undervalue the importance of religion, have often borrowed its precepts and adopted its principles.

fluence

fluence of that evil, which lours with eternal enmity to the welfare of mankind.

To eftimate the importance of Christianity contrafted with fuperftition-with morality deftitute of vital faith-with honour capricious and variable-with philofophy vague and fallacious, it is expedient not fo much to contraft different ages, however on fuch comparison its glorious character might be illuftrated, but rather to trace the different advances made under the guidance of human wisdom and divine inftruction through fimilar circumstances; in co-existing states, with equal improvement in fcience, and correfpondent refinement in manners; in different claffes of men in the fame fociety; in the circles of individual example.

The light of fcience and the progress of enquiry have at all times been favourable to Christianity; and there is a degree of civilization congenial to its fpirit, and friendly, if not neceffary, to its fuccefs: but beyond this there is alfo a corruption in manners, and a conceit of knowledge injurious to its interests, and even proudly contemptuous of its inftructions. "The opportunity of leifure" is effential to the attainment of information, and facilitates the deduction of the teftimo

1