free.* Ignatius Loyola founded the Order of Jesuits under the pretext of "propagating the Gospel," but its real object was the extirpation of the Protestant Religion; and as that unholy order, when unrestrained by the Civil powers of each state, has by turns convulsed every kingdom in Christendom, so is it now labouring to destroy the Church of England. The Puritans of our own country crowned their zeal with regicidal hands, and the consequences of the fatal catastrophe of 1648, proved that "dominion gotten by hypocrisy and fraud could only be defended by the commission of fresh crimes." He also must be blind, who cannot discern the baneful effects § of Wesley's and Whitefield's zeal, which at first separating the flock of Christ from their appointed pastors by calumnies heaped upon them,|| has in the subsequent divisions of the Christian body, exposed its members alike to the crafty policy of the Jesuit, the infidelity of the zealous Owen, and the ministry of the lowest of the people, which tend to the disorganization of the Constitution, now in process of development. I am not here to cast a stone. I impugn not the motives of these zealots. I acquit them of impure intention. My business is to bring before you facts recorded in the page of history, and to advertize you of their ill effects. As a pilgrim here on earth journeying to a better country,** and although a stranger amongst you, still a partaker in common with you of the privileges of this great city, the declaration of Truth is my object for your sakes, and that may render my account with joy. I I admit these leaders and their followers abhor idolatry as we do, and they protest with us against the errors of *See Note E. + Mosheim, xvi. Cent. cap. iv. sec. 2. Walker's Hist. of Independency. See Note H. § See Note F. || See Note G. ** Heb. xi. 16. the Romanists; but when they are doing the work of Popery for them, by causing divisions which enable the enemy to fall upon the weak and strays thus separated from the flock, we must mark them, and warn you to avoid them, because in so doing, however zealously they may affect you, they do it not well,† being contrary to the doctrine we have learned.‡ so say The admirers of their respective leaders may say: Wesley and Whitefield were men "burning with zeal for the salvation of souls and the promotion of God's glory:" the legends of the Saints Francis, Dominic, and Ignatius, of the Roman Church.§ They may say: "they had a divine talent for preaching:" so it is recorded of Ignatius Loyola and others who were before them. Of these one is even said to have been "heard two leagues off by a woman whose husband not permitting her to go to his sermon, she got up into a garret ;" and another who "could not lift up his voice because it was weak, was nevertheless miraculously heard by every one a quarter of a mile off."¶ But I spare you. Not one amongst them all but inveighed against the corruptions of the world: not one amongst them all, but aimed at the Reformation of its vices: not one amongst them all, but imagined himself to be under the influence of the Divine Spirit: not one amongst them all but captivated the admiring multitude with his ardour and his high pretensions. But still their well-meant zeal was fraught with indiscretion and extravagance. They were not like St. Paul, when he was suddenly converted. He, acting under the influence of the Spirit of Christ, assayed to join himself to the Church; whereas they, influenced *Rom. xvi. 17. § See Note I. + Gal. iv. 17. ¶ Ignatius Loyola. Rom. xvi. 17. Ribadineira, fol. 390. by a spirit of delusion, drew away disciples* from the Church, to be their followers: and we live to witness the melancholy consequences. These are now visible in our divisions, which have given occasion to a fresh endeavour to reinstate the Roman Church in power in the British empire; insomuch, that to use the language of our own historians: Since the period when King James II. contrived his own expulsion "by annulling all laws enacted against the Romanists, and abrogating all oaths by which non-conformists were rendered incapable of trust or office;" since by his "declaration," he obtained "the warmest addresses of thanks from those who extolled the regal power which they had so long endeavoured to abase;". . . since he "resolved to open a way for the Romanists into the Universities in England:"† since in Ireland, "Tyrconnell... was vested with full authority. . . a man who who... had been convicted of... but who compensated for all his enormities by a headlong zeal for the Roman religion :" since "the Romanists were put in possession of the council table, of the courts of judicature, and of the bench of justices;" since, "in order to make them masters of the Parliament, the same violence was exercised that had been practised in England." Since "the new charters were granted;" since the "Protestant freemen were expelled, and Romanists introduced, and the latter were . . . invested with the whole power of the kingdom,”‡ at no time has the Church of England been so assailed as now; nor the crown been in such jeopardy; nor was the cause of true religion ever made to rest more completely upon the fidelity and devotedness of her spiritual guardians, and the individual energy of all her faithful members, who retain any portion of authority. These are the Hume, clxx. 1687. historical beacons to warn us against popery, faction, and infidelity!!! I press this the more earnestly because, however the British Constitution may be able to exist with other sects, in which are many loyal subjects differing from the Church in discipline rather than in doctrine, the Romanist being bound by every tie, human and Divine, according to his own peculiar tenets to destroy it-to give encouragement and power to Popery is suicidal. We have to render an account of our national privileges, as talents entrusted to our care, before the judgment seat of Christ. The words of Job again may, therefore, give comfort to our Chief Magistrate on retiring from his exalted station to the rank of a private citizen, when the sword and mace can no more ward off an adverse expression of the public voice, so only that he can lay his hand upon his heart and say, I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame; I was a father to the poor; the cause which I knew not, I searched out: I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.* For these are the works of that righteousness which it has pleased God to make the basis of the British Constitution. The Lord Mayor to be elected, may hence, also learn how best to fulfil his charge with benefit to his fellow-citizens and inward satisfaction to himself, as a fellow-citizen with the saints and household of God. Job ascribed his power to discharge his office to God alone. When, saith he, the Almighty was with me.† So should those in power and authority consider that the Almighty is with them by means of the Church established in this Constitution. It is as the candlestick of the Lord, *Job xxix. 14-17. + Job xxix. 5. to bear the Light of Truth to the world. It is as a lamp trimmed with the holy oil, which alone can make it burn, for the consumption of its lusts, its superstitions, and its sins. Who gave us this light of Revelation but God, the Author of it? And how? By causing the Church of England as it is now constituted, to give the Holy Bible to the people in their own tongue. Who taught the people to read the Word of God? The Church of England as it is. At the Reformation, so ignorant were the parish priests, that they could not teach the Scriptures indeed, they knew them not; wherefore the Homilies were written, that they might give instruction to the people. Who obtained for us the liberty of conscience? The Bishops of the Church of England as it is, by their firmness in resisting a return to Popery, which brought about the Revolution. Who made the people of all ranks partakers of the privileges of fellow-citizens with the saints, and admitted them to the freedom of the family and household of God? The Church of England as it is, by opening a way for the instruction of the rich and poor in the principles of the Gospel of Christ. Who provided that the prayers should be made in the congregation no more in the Latin tongue, but in the language which the people understand? The Church of England as it is. Thus, my Christian brethren, has it pleased God to bless this land. Thus are the poor and the unlearned able to join with their richer brethren, in saying Amen to our giving of thanks for these national privileges, and praying with us in the Name of Jesus Christ for a continuance of these national blessings. But if there should be some in this untoward generation, who, having no fellowship with us in these our highest national privileges, would destroy the Church of England: to them the Church may |