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and worship God. And again (chap. xvi. 7), “ Worship Him that made heaven and earth." I omit more testimonies which might be multiplied, and shall tell you next, that the churches are sacred, and not to be used profanely; for you may note that our Saviour did, with a divine indignation, whip the money-changers out of the Temple for polluting it, and said, "His house should be called the house of prayer." And let me tell you, that in the primitive times, many of those humble and devout Christians, whose sudden journeys, or business of present necessity, were such as not to allow them time to attend the public worship and prayers of the Church, would yet express their devotion by going into a church or oratory, and there bow at the altar, then kneel and beg of God to pardon their sins past, and to be their Director and Protector that day; and having again bowed toward the east, at the altar, begin their journey or business; and they thought God well pleased with so short a prayer, and such a sacrifice.

Cousin, I hope I have in this made some unforced and so useful observations, as an humble and good Christian will not gainsay; and, doubtless, a soul truly humble will both think and say, Almighty God hath appointed me to live in an age in which contention increases and charity decays; and it is certain, that the variety of opinions and controversies in religion declare difficulty to know them truly. But my comfort is, that, without controversy, there is so much religion without controversy, as by the true practice of what is so I may save my soul, and come an humble Christian; and conclude, that I will in all doubtful things obey my governors [the Church]; for sure they see a reason, which I neither can or need to know why they command them. I will be sure to be humble, to fast and pray, to be charitable, to visit

and comfort dejected families, to love my neighbours, to pardon my enemies, and to do good to all mankind, as far as God shall enable me; for I am sure these to be sacrifices which please Almighty God, and will bring peace at last. And I am sure that by using, these graces and my faith in Christ's merits for my salvation will be more and more confirmed; and by still using them more and more, new graces will still be added; and all be still more and more confirmed, so confirmed as to bear witness with me, and be my comfort, when I must make my last and great account to the Searcher of all hearts.

Almighty God give me grace to practise what I have commended to your consideration; for this, and this only, can and will make my life quiet and comfortable, and my death happy. And, my dear cousin, as I wish my own, so I wish yours may be. Your affectionate kinsman, &c.

81. Alexander Knox, Esq. (on Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, and its applicability to present times.)

sant.

1824.

MY DEAR FRIEND,- Our evenings at B- for some time before I came off, were particularly pleaIt had struck me to recommend for Mr. L.'s amusement, as he always expects reading in the evening, that Clarendon's "History of the Rebellion should be read in order. I was not disappointed: Mr. L. became interested to my fullest expectation; and no old lady could ever have longed more for her evening cards, than Mr. L. for his evening regalement from Clarendon. Mrs. L. was

humbly accepted of, and, after giving thanks, added this: "Father, your charity is the more perfect, in that you will do this Christian office for one that your Church accounts an heretic." To which the father's reply was, "But I do not; I look upon you as a true Catholic; yea, as a confessor, forced out of your native country for the profession of the most true religion; for I look upon the Church of England, as I know it by your liturgy, articles, and canons (I know not your practice), to be the most apostolical Church in the whole world, and the Church of Rome to be at this time the most impure." After which ingenuous profession, the father observing the doctor to grow faint and uneasy, left him for that time; but after the doctor's recovery, and during his stay in Venice, the father and he had many free and friendly discourses of the same subject, in one of which the doctor said, "Father, your confession of the impurity of the Roman Church, and the 18th of your objections, lately shewed to me against it, require an apology for your continuing in that communion." To which the father's reply was: "A man may live in an infected city, and not have the plague. My judgment and public practice in religion are both so well known here and at Rome (and both to my danger and damage), that I may continue in it with more safety than others; and separation may be a sin in me, who judge the unity of the Church in which I was baptised and confirmed, and the peace of the state in which I was born, to be preferred before my private opinion, interest, or satisfaction. And I think to commit a schism, and separation from that Church, would make me guilty of the sin of a scandal justly given; and therefore live in it and die in it I must, though it be the impurest of Christian Churches. But let him that now is not of it never

be of that Church, which is so far departed from the primitive purity, and now maintained only by splendour, and the maxims and practice of polity.' If you doubt the truth of this relation, I will give you an unquestionable confirmation of it at our next meeting. It has been longer than I intended, and I beg your pardon; and beg you also to consider, with what inconsiderable zeal you and your party rush into schism, and give just cause of scandal by opposing government, and affronting that Church in which you were born and baptised (and, I hope, confirmed by a bishop). I think the doing so requires your sad and serious consideration; for if there be such sins as schism and scandal (and if there were not, they could not have names in Scripture), then, give me leave to tell you, I cannot but wonder that you, and the scruple-mongers of your party, should rush into them without any tenderness or scruple of conscience.

And here let me tell you, the Church of England, which you oppose, enjoins nothing contrary to God's word; and hath summed up in her creeds and catechism what is necessary for every Christian to know and to do: and can you, that are a shopkeeper, or private man, think that you are fit to teach and judge the Church, or the Church fit to teach and judge you? or can you think the safety or peace of the State or Church in which you live should depend upon the scruples and mistakes of a party of the common people, whose indiscreet and active zeal makes them like the restless Scribes and Pharisees (Matt. xiii. 15), who compass sea and land to get parties to be of their opinions, and by that means beget confusion in both? No, doubtless; common reason will not allow of this belief; for a liberty to preach and persuade to your dangerous principles would inflame the too hot and furious zeal of so many of your party, and beget so

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many more restless and dangerous contentions, that there could be neither quiet nor safety in the nation but by keeping a standing army, which I know you detest, and from the curse of which God deliver us. I have told you often, that Samuel says (1 Sam. xv. 23), "Rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft;" and I cannot tell you too often, that schism is too like that mysterious sin; for when the fire of schism and rebellion is kindled, no man knows where it will end. Consider this, and remember that St. Jude accounts them that make sects to be fleshly, and not to have the Spirit of God, which too many of your fraternity pretend to.

And now, after so long seriousness, give me liberty to be so pleasant as to tell you a tale, by which I intend not to provoke you, but to explain my meaning: "There was a north-country man that came young and poor to London, to seek that which he called his fortune, and it proved to be an hostler in an inn of good note in that city; in which condition he continued some years, and by diligence and frugality got and saved so much money, that in time he became master of that inn. And not long after his arrival to that happiness, he sent for three of his nieces,—one to serve him in his kitchen, and the other two did serve for some years in a like condition in other houses; till mine host, their uncle, died; who, at his death, left to each of them a hundred pounds, to buy each of them a north-country husband; and also to each of them ten pounds, to buy new clothes, and bear their charges into the north to see their mother. The three sisters resolved to go together; and the day being appointed, two of them bought very fantastical clothes, and as gaudy ribbons, intending thereby to be noted and admired; but the third was of a more frugal humour (yet aimed at admiration too), and said, she would save her money,