Above all, as we are of the Church, vifi- Sermon ble, fo let us labour to be of the Church in- III. vifible! that is, of the Number of those whom our Saviour's Spirit animates, and refides in, who truly compofe his Body, and whom only he will own at the last Day! It were a mighty Reflection and Scandal on us, fhould we boaft of the Excellency of our Church, and no proportionable Effects of it appear in our Lives. For the End of a Church is to cure the Disorders and Evils of Mens Minds, to inftruct them in all Vertue, and prepare them for everlafting Life and Glory; and the better a Church is, in all Reafon, the more effe&tually should it do this. Let us therefore demonftrate the Excellency of our Church, by our Proficiency in all Chriftian Knowledge and Vertue! and this was one Reafon, antiently, why the true Church was term'd Catholick, becaufe its Doctrine and Grace was an univerfal Remedy proved a Cure to all the Corruptions, and Diseases of Mens Minds. Let our Church be known to be Catholick this Way too, as well as others, in the powerful Effects it has upon all her true Sons, fo that they may as much exceed others in all Vertue, as they do in the Means of it. Have we the pure Doctrines of Christianity preached and urged? Have we the Sacraments rightly adminiftred?

and,

Sermon and, Doth the Spirit of God attend all these
III. Ordinances, and make them useful to the

Purposes to which he hath instituted them?
This we all believe: These are all Advan-
tages of a true Church, which no false
Church hath Should not, therefore, this
be feen? Should it not be known; I mean
that, as a true Church, we have the Spirit
of God amongst us, accompanying, and en-
forcing the outward Means of Grace and
Salvation? It fhould be fo, doubtlefs, or
elfe it were all Talk: And did we all la-
bour after this, furely, a great Honour
would it procure our Church, as well as the
divine Protection and Bleffing; when, out
of it, iffued fuch Proficients, fuch accom-
plifh'd Chriftians, muft not the whole
World conclude it, not a Name only, but a
Place of the most divine and heavenly Edu-
cation, the Pillar and Ground of Truth, and
of all Vertue: Then it would appear, as it
was intended, the Light of the World, that
would direct, convince all Men, draw all
Men after it; then fhould we have no need
to fear Men, yea, we might despise a greater
Power than Human; for then muft it be
found, that our Church is built upon the
true Rock, fure and ftedfaft; and we have the
Lord's Promife, that the Gates of Hell fhall ne-
ver prevail against it: Towhich, he cannot be
a right Christian that refuses to fay, Amen.
SERMON

HE Excellency of our Church Sermon having been already in gene

IV.

ral spoken to, it feemeth ton me very useful and neceffary to defcend to Particulars, and efpecially to fuch of them as prove Matter of Offence and Objection, to Men who divide from our Communion: And, amongst thefe, it is well known, a moft confiderable VOL, I.

H

IV.

Sermon One is, Forms of Prayer, in general: Our Church requiring her Clergy, and all fuch as frequent her Communion, to use fuch Prayers as the hath compofed; in which, fhe hath the Misfortune to differ with all Sorts of Diffenters in this Nation. The Practice of them all, howfoever widely dif ferent in other Matters, being contrary to ours in this, they having no publick Liturgies, no Forms of Prayer, neither Teachers, nor People ftanding in Need, it feemeth, of fuch Helps, being above them, and defpifing them: For they all profefs, that they can, and do pray extempore, as it is termed And this is reckoned a marvellous Perfection, in diffenting Churches, an extraordinary Gift in their Teachers, and the Want of this Liberty and Ability in us, is Matter of no fmall Complaint, and Disparagement: And, perhaps, there is not a greater Inveaglement upon common Men, a greater Charm, a greater Support of the diffenting Congregations than this Plea, and Practice in their Teachers: For other Controverfies and Differences between us, common Men little mind, and lefs underftand; but this Liberty, and Ability of Praying without Forms, without Helps, yea, without Premeditation, this is wonderful, this raises mighty Admiration and Applaufe, this lifts fuch as exercise it, far

above others, who do not, or cannot do it. Sermon No wonder, therefore, that illiterate Men, IV. who never examined into the true Nature of Prayer, are mightily affected with fuch Performances, adhere to a Church where they think there is fo much Spirituality, fo extraordinary Talents and Gifts, compared to thofe of others. I fhall therefore, from these Words of our Saviour,

Firft, Endeavour to defend our Church in this Particular, in her Establishing and Ufing Forms, in oppofition to unpremeditated and extempore Prayer, and fet forth the Lawfulness, the Wisdom, and Advantages of the Former, and the Vanity and evil Confequences of the Latter.

Then, Secondly, in the Application confider, I hope, with the utmoft Impartiality and Charity, the Objections which have been offer'd againft Forms, and the Pleas of Diffenters for the Contrary.

Now, for the Ift, the Lawfulness, Wisdom, and Advantages of Forms, in publick Worfhip, in Oppofition to unpremeditated and extempore Prayers, I have these few Confiderations to propofe to all unprejudiced and understanding Men, who would examine and judge by right Reason, and the Word of

God.