been avoided-all occasion for popular commotions and disturbances cut off-all derangement of the connection, dependence, and relations of established orders and classes in the Church and in society, have been altogether unnecessary. But whenever, and wherever the Heads and Rulers of the Churches refused to discharge their bounden duty in this respect, the work of reformation was so imperiously called for, that the duty devolved next upon the Clergy in general; and if these neglected it, it devolved upon the Laity; for the abominations of the Church of Rome had risen to such a pitch, that they were not to be, on any pretence, submitted to or endured. With every one whose eyes were enlightened to discern the truth of the Gospel, it came simply to this Scriptural principle, "we ought to obey God rather than men; and therefore we are not to wonder that the Rulers of other Churches who refused to cooperate in this great work, were (in the righteous judgement of God,) entirely swept away. Their opposition to the work, which they ought especially to have taken in hand,

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was in every respect to be deeply deplored; nor was it possible that, when they, not only utterly refused to promote it, but to their utmost power opposed it, it should be carried on with such temper and moderation, and with such order and regularity as was to be desired. Therefore in looking upon other Churches, I rejoice that they were by any means reformed. The change from Popery to any form which the Reformation took in any of the Protestant Churches, was immensely desirable and important: yea, it behoved all the Protestant Churches cordially to acknowledge one another as Brethren, and to rejoice together unfeignedly in their common deliverance. Nevertheless the Reformation of the Church in all other countries was attended with circumstances which I cannot but deeply regret; and ended in the establishments of Protestant Churches, which I cannot in all respects approve; nor could I for my part, as a minister, conscientiously belong to any one of them, though I should have quietly submitted and acquiesced as a layman, had my lot been cast among them. But it was

the peculiar privilege of the Church of England that the Reformation was undertaken and accomplished by those to whom the work especially appertained. Our Bishops and Archbishops, when called upon to reform the Church, did not shrink from their duty; but manfully discharged it. They used the power and authority which was in their hands, to the ends and purposes for which God had given it;-as men entrusted with talents, for which they must account to Him. The honour which belongs to the name of Cranmer, for the conscientious manner in which he gave himself to this work,—still pressing forward from step to step as his light increased—is very great and singular. And the crown of all was that he, with four other Bishops of our Church (Hooper, Ferrar, Latimer, and Ridley) set the seal of Martyrdom to the great work, which they had been so mainly instrumental in accomplishing. And after the period of bloody persecution (which was appointed to try and purify our Church) was overpast, let us still remember that the Archbishops and Bishops were the main instruments, under God, in establishing

the Protestant Church in England, in that form in which it continues to this day.1

The advantages resulting from this circumstance were many and great. Indeed I do not think there is one thing, connected with the peculiar excellences of our Church, which may not be ascribed mainly, to the important circumstance of its having been reformed by those, to whom the ordering and government of the Church belonged; and therefore in most perfect consistency with that deference, which a Christian will always delight to shew

1 The providence of God is to be especially acknowledged; or rather the watchful care and love of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the great head of the Church; in preserving and continuing to us the episcopal succession, in spite of all the fury of the persecution in the days of Queen Mary. If we consider the manner in which even the more mild and moderate of the Popish Bishops refused to consecrate Archbishop Parker, when a warrant was addressed to them for that purpose, we must the more admire that Coverdale and Bale, Barlow and Scory, who had promoted the good work in the days of Edward the Sixth, were yet preserved to continue the succession of their order in the Church of England.

What I have said of England applies equally to Ireland, in which also the Bishops were the main promoters of the Reformation, and concurred with their Brethren in England.

to all constituted authorities. And one especial advantage (as most obviously and naturally hence arising) I will here mention ;-That the principles of humble and loyal submission to constituted Authorities (which, to my mind, are among the fairest ornaments of the Christian character) have been in a peculiar manner interwoven with the principles and constitution of our Church. It is characterized by that due regard to the order and dependence of various ranks and classes, on which the peace and happiness of society so much depend; and which is so properly and decidedly opposed to the proud independence and levelling spirit of an infidel and rebellious generation.

The next point to which I particularly advert is this ;-That the Church of England, in separating from the Church of Rome, has been duly careful neither to differ merely for the sake of difference and opposition,-nor (in forsaking that corrupt Church) to forsake also the principles and practices of the pure and primitive Churches. To renounce her corruptions and idolatries was Scriptural duty; to renounce any portion of Scriptural Truth which