on earth of God's universal Church, I warn its enemies, that in opposing it, they are opposing God: I encourage its friends, on the ground that, in exerting themselves for its advancement, they are workers together with God, and will receive his blessing. I find in the Holy Scriptures, that Jesus Christ declared, that he came to preach the Gospel to the poor; and I observe that the Church in this country is careful to instruct that class in religious truths; and, if it were abolished, I see no means whereby the poor could be instructed in the knowledge of God. And, therefore, I claim your support on the ground of Christian charity, as well as the love of Christ.

In a word, brethren, I believe that every attack upon the Church in this land is a stab to true religion, a defiance of God, a thwarting of his gracious schemes; and that every one who stands up in its defence is giving his humble aid to promote the glory of God and the good of man; and to advance that scheme of mercy, which has been ordained in the

counsels of Omnipotence before the world began.

In thus advocating the cause of our common Church as an establishment, I am far from asserting that there are no faults to be amended. I fully admit its deficiencies, and desire nothing more than to see them removed. But, whatever amendment is made, let it be done with a view to improve and extend her influence, not to weaken or curtail her. Let those who call themselves her children, see that her enemies do not deceitfully undermine her, in their pretended care for her amendment.

The chief blemish in our Church is that, notwithstanding the great increase in the population of this country, there has been no corresponding increase in the number of ministers and places of worship. It is true that there is in every parish a consecrated building, and a minister; but then many parishes have become

populous, that more than half of the nhabitants can derive no benefit from them. Therefore, I say, that the good

work of the Apostles, which is mentioned in the text, requires to be further prosecuted, and that the Churches should be yet more "increased in number," and the pure doctrine of salvation farther spread.

Brethren, I have no fear that God will not continue to protect the work of his hands, and uphold the Church of his Son; all my fear is, that some of us, alas! by our opposition to his will, and some by our lukewarmness in supporting it, may miss the blessings which are showered around us. Oh, let none be so mad as to fight against the power of God; let us rather be found amongst those holy men, who have been the blessed instruments of his mercy. For be well assured that the Church of Christ will be triumphant in the end-his kingdom will come, his foes will be made his footstool,-the wheel of God's Providence will go on, and crush to pieces and grind to powder all who oppose it; but blessed is the man, humble though he be, who lends a willing hand to help its progress.

SERMON XIX.

I

ON THE PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THE

CHURCH.

JOHN X. 2. 5.

"He that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out; and when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice; and a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers."

GOD the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, are repeatedly spoken of by the writers of Holy Scriptures, under the similitude of shepherds. Doubtless the pastoral habits of the people of Israel

suggested the fitness of the comparison. Thus David says in the twenty-third Psalm, "The Lord is my shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing: he shall feed me in a green pasture, and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort:" and Isaiah thus prophesies of the Messiah,"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead them that are with young'."

The same similitude appropriately belongs to those also, to whom Christ has committed the sacred charge "to feed his lambs." So obvious indeed is this resemblance, that religious teachers have acquired by common usage the title of Pastors. Thus the Lord says by the mouth of Jeremiah, "I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding 2. And St. Paul, speaking of the privileges which Christ had conferred upon the Church, says "He gave

1 Isaiah lx. 11.

2 Jer. iii. 15.