CONTENTS.

SERMON I.

On the Effects of Religion; particularly under the

Influence of the Reformation.

JOHN iii. 19.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the

world, and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

SERMON II.

Page 1

On the Spiritual Nature of Christ's Kingdom; on

the Departure from, and the Reftoration of its

Character and Principles, by the first Measures

of the Reformation in this Country.

JOHN Xviii. 36.

Jefus anfwered, My kingdom is not of this world.

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SERMON III.

On the Obligations which exist as to the Adoption
of Chriftianity by the Civil Power; on the Evils
which have been represented to flow, and on the
Advantages, which are derived, from national
Institutions of Religion; and on the Grounds
and Principles upon which its Establishment is
maintained, in Confistency with the Design and
Spirit of the Reformation in this Country.

JOHN Xviii. 36.

Jefus anfwered, My kingdom is not of this world.

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SERMON IV.

On the Spiritual Rights of the Ministry, which

were derived from our Lord to the Apostles and

their Succeffors; as maintained with Rejection

of fictitious Pretenfions, and the Confirmation

of juft Claims at the Reformation.

JOHN XX. 21, 22, 23.

Then faid Jefus to them again, Peace be unto you. As

my Father bath fent me, even fo fend I you. And

when he had faid this, he breathed on them, and

faith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghoft. Whofe-

foever fins ye remit, they are remitted unto them;

and whofe-foever fins ye retain, they are retained.

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SERMON

On Chrift's Promifes relating to the Prefervation
of the Church; on the erroneous Notions which
have been entertained concerning them; on the
just Ideas of the Indefectibility of the Church,
and the exclufive Authority of the infpired
Writings, as vindicated at the Reformation.

MATT. xxviii. 20.

Lo! I am with you always, even unto the end of the

world.
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SERMON VI.

On the Effects of the Restoration of the Scriptures

to general Regard, hiftorically illuftrated in the

gradual Advancement of Truth through fuccef-

five Reigns, and in the final Establishment of a

pure Faith and Worship, by the Completion of

the Reformation.

2 TIM. iii. 16.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God; and is

profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for

inftruction in Righteousness.

SERMON VII.

Page 219

On the general Confiftency and Moderation of the
Church of England, as exhibited from the Pe-

riod

riod of its first Establishment; and on the Influ-
ence of its Principles in promoting the Welfare
of the Country, as well by confpiring with the
Exertions of civil Liberty, as by advancing re-
ligious and moral virtues.

2 TIM. ii. 19, 20.

Nevertheless the foundation of God ftandeth fure,

having this feal, the Lord knoweth them that are

his; and let every one that nameth the name of

Chrift depart from iniquity. But in a great houfe

there are not only vessels of gold and of filver, but

alfo of wood and of earth; and fome to honour, and

fome to difhonour.
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SERMON VIII.

On the Neceffity of preferving the Faith in Con-

fiftency with the Rules of Charity; on the Pro-

priety of adhering to the fundamental Prin-

ciples, confirmed by the Reformation; on the

Duty of endeavouring to promote fuch farther

Regulations, as fhall be proved to be clearly

expedient and favourable to the Advancement

of Christianity.

EPHES. iv. 3.

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond

of peace.

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And this is the Condemnation, that Light is come into the World, and Men loved Darkness rather than Light, because their Deeds were Evil.

!

N description of the character and

IN

progrefs of religion, as connected with the hiftory of mankind, it has been a fubject of complaint, that its influence hath been inadequate to the grandeur of its dispensation, if not inconfiftent with the benevolence of its defign. The complaint, if ingenuous, muft originate from hafty and confined views of the real intention and effects of religion; or from inattention to the obftacles invariably excited by the corruption of thofe beings to whom it hath been addreffed.