all his power, his influence, and his patronage, become so many sources of injury, not only to his immediate see, but ultimately to the Church and to the community at large. The inference from these remarks is, not that Episcopal power ought to be abridged, but that the utmost diligence and sense of moral responsibility ought to be exerted in the selection of persons qualified for the voca greater, though less direct influence, which by courtesy and veneration for the office he is oftentimes allowed to assume, we cannot but feel that such authority must be of great positive advantage or great positive injury to the cause of religion and the established Church. A prelate is eminently a city set upon a hill, which cannot be hid," unless, indeed, he be an individual of so absolutely tame and neutral a cast as to sleep awaytion. Many if not most of the evils his dignified hours in mere listlessness and indifference, without at all commixing with the busy world around him, or even lending his opinion in order to guide and regulate the opinions of others. It is not, however, merely by direct authority, nor even by the deference which his station usually and properly ensures, that an English prelate is enabled to effect his plans for regulating his diocess and moulding the character of his clergy. He possesses a still more commanding source of influence in the patronage which passes through his hands. If, then, Episcopal influence be such as we have described it, we must regard it in each particular case as a great blessing or a great evil, according to the hands into which it falls. So far are we from desiring, as a general matter, to curtail the powers of the Episcopal order, that we never see a pious and conscientious prelate without almost wishing him a despotism, though not a monopoly, of doing good. One Ridley, or Cranmer, or Latimer, or Hooper, or Hall, or Horne, or Porteus-we might add a long catalogue of other names-is worth-a hundred pious individuals in private life: his name is Legion, for he is many. When, however, on the contrary, as may and must sometimes happen in every national establishment, the mitre chances to fall through mere state intrigue on a man of little judgment or less piety-on a bigot or a latitudinarian-on one who is too indolent to work, or too proud to learn, or too violent to hear reason, or too gay, or worldly, or political, or even too learned, to attend to the important details of Episcopal duty now supposed to be impending over the Church of England, might be remedied by a conscientious regard to this important subject. Dissent will, perhaps, ever in some measure exist; but its influence and extension may in many cases be rapidly and effectu ally checked by those measures which a mild and pious Bishop has it in his power to apply. It is from these high views of the importance and the power of the Episcopal function, that we feel, as we have observed, most anxiously curious in perusing the primary Charge of a newly made Bishop. Such a document is an official exposé of the sentiments of one who is to ordain the teachers, who, in their turn, are to mould the great body of the people." Commencing with an appropriate tribute of respect for his learned predecessor, his lordship proceeds to point out in his Charge what he modestly considers his own qualification for the office; namely," a somewhat intimate acquaintance with the condition, the feelings, and the duties of a parochial minister, and some knowledge of the instructions and the care which the people require and have a right to demand." Humble as is this plea, we consider the qualification here mentioned as the very one which the Episcopal station at all times most loudly calls for, and to the occasional absence of which may be imputed a large part of the evils under which the Church of England at present labours. It is to little efficient purpose that Bishops are men of talent and learning, and even personal piety, if they be found practically unacquainted with the duties, and practically uninterested in the details, of a paro chial charge. Abstract qualifications, and determination, which he now solemn however high, are of little avail, if ly professes before Almighty God, to fulthere be no sympathy and fellow-feel-fil, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit,. the arduous office committed to his charge, not as a man-pleaser, but as unto the Lord, and as in his sight;' to be the coun sellor and friend of those whose heart is in their work, while he is the firm reprover of open offences and obstinate negligence; to be so merciful that he be not too remiss, and so minister discipline," that he forget not mercy; esteeming it his highest privilege to send forth well qualified labourers into the vineyard of his Lord; and not only to direct, but, as far as in him lies, to share their labours, their trials, and their joy.' ing with the diligent curate in the remotest village of the diocess. It was a remark extorted from the haughty Episcopal persecutor of Bernard Gilpin, when he beheld the zeal and piety of that celebrated "Apostle of the North," that Gilpin was better qualified to be the Bishop of his diocess, than he himself was to take charge of Gilpin's country cure. The mitre is not an appropriate reward for superannuated merit, or mere literary, much less political, services. There are, as there ought to be, sinecures quite sufficient, both in value and dignity, to remunerate all claims of this description; but the high and responsible post of a governor of the Church should be reserved for men of known activity and practical wisdom; for men who have passed their days, neither in literary seclusion nor political intrigue; neither in the slumbers of the college quadrangle, nor in the splendours of the regal drawing-room; but who, with a suffi cient acquaintance both with men and books, have been seen throughout life to find their chief delight and occupation in the holy studies and active labours of their immediate profession, We do not mean to say that every good parish priest would necessarily make a good Bishop, any more than that every useful and respectable country magistrate would be fit to conduct the affairs of the nation: but the converse is strictly correct, that no man will ma complete Bishop who is not a good parish priest, any more than a magistrate would be fit to regulate a nation, who could not fill with propriety the limited sphere of a provincial neighbourhood. The right reverend author next adverts to his own claims. To those who believe with us, that unaffected simplicity, and humility, and affection, ought to characterize an Episcopal Charge, as much as a true degree of dignity and manly firmness, the quotation may be acceptable. "The claims of his successor to your regard, consist mainly in a hearty desire 6 "May your indulgence to his many defects, your prayers for his support and success, and your cordial co-operation in his efforts to promote the usefulness of the ministry, ever animate, sustain, and carry him forward in his course! May He, whom, I trust, we mutually desire to serve the High Priest, who can be touched with a feeling of our infirmities, and without whom we can do nothing,' vouchsafe to us all such a hope of his pardon, and such a measure of his grace, that we may fulfil each his portion in the great work appointed to us, with one ne-unite us all in one house eternal in heart and one voice; and then may He the heavens,' the house of rest, and peace, and love, and praise to the common Shepherd and Bishop of our souls!" Pronouncing a just and splendid eulogium on the Liturgy of the established Church, he reminds his clergy, that " incomparable as it is, it is but a vehicle." Hence he justly infers, that "the feelings of our hearts must correspond with the sentiments expressed; the prayers must be appropriated by each worshipper, and made his own; the fair and exactly proportioned image must be kindled into life by the breath of the soul; the offering on the altar must be set on fire, and its savour ascend, or it will never reach Heaven, and be acceptable to Him who is a spirit, and must be worshipped with the spirit and with the understanding." this end his lordship points out, as far as human means avail, the high importance of a "clear, distinct pro nunciation, decent slowness of delivery, unquestionable marks in voice and countenance, of deep attention, of reverential awe and affectionate earnestness, to give the Liturgy all To "The question, so far as it regards the use of the term, is, in my opinion, satis factorily determined by the Articles and Offices of our Church, and by the mean ing uniformly annexed to it in the four first centuries of the Christian æra. "The number of eminent and justly revered writers (some of exalted station in the Church, amongst whom we must reckon Archbishop Tillotson,) who have spoken at times of a regeneration distinct from the baptismal, though amply suff cient to excuse, and perhaps justify, is not, I conceive, sufficient to recommend such an application of the term. the minds of those hearers, whose capa"It may naturally excite confusion in city and reading may be limited, and lead them to hesitate about the propriety of our Baptismal Service. It is by no means indispensably necessary, in order to convey a full idea of that radical, fundamental change of views, desires, and pursuits, so generally requisite in those who, hav ing been baptized in infancy, have reach ed the age in which they can commit actual sin. restrict the term to the baptismal privi"I would therefore wish generally to leges; and, considering them as compre hending, not only an external admission into the visible Church not only a cove nanted title to the pardon and grace of tual aid vouchsafed and ready to offer itthe Gospel-but even a degree of spiriself to our acceptance or rejection, at the dawn of reason, I would recommend a reference to these privileges in our its force, and draw forth all its beauties." He shows the importance of praying the prayers as well as read ing them, and points out the happy effects of such a devotional spirit be ing seen in the officiating minister. From devotion, the honourable and right reverend author passes on to preaching; on the subject of which his lordship designates some of those errors which may be expected more immediately to concern the clergy of his diocess. Under this head the Bishop's first allusion is, to "the mini sters who in some neighbouring dio cesses have lately seceded from the Church; and to the few who may yet remain in it, but who adopt, in some measure, their opinions and practice." His lordship then proceeds to combat the antinomian heresy on which the system in question is built; urging on his clergy the necessity, not only of a right foundation, but of a suit able superstructure; not only of pos sessing faith in Christ, but of exem plifying that faith by holiness and good works. "While, in every dis course," remarks his lordship," you exalt the Lord Jesus Christ, leading your people to Him as the needful, the only Saviour of their souls, allsufficient to procure them pardon, and to give them grace, never fail to press the indispensable necessity of maintaining, and the tremendous danger of neglecting good works; the necessity of living unto Him who died for us."nected The second error on which the Bishop feels it his duty to animadvert, is one which," though not perhaps so obviously dangerous, is little less injurious to the real objects of the ministry, and, without doubt, much more likely to attract and mislead." This error his lordship states to be intimately connected with the subject of Baptism. He considers it most correct and most expedient to confine the individual term regeneration to baptismal privileges; for though he states that there is authority "amply sufficient to excuse, and perhaps justify" the more enlarged application of the word; yet he by no means conceives that such an application is to be recommended. discourses, as talents which the hearer rest, as seed which should have sprung should have so improved as to bear inte up and produced fruit." nected with a general view of the The following observations, consubject, deserve the utmost attention. lemnly protest against that most serious "But, at the same time, I would soerror (which has arisen probably from exalting too highly the just view of baptismal regeneration) of contemplating all the individuals of a baptized congregation as converted, as having all at once known the truth, and entered upon the right path, though some may have wandered from it, and others may have made little progress--as not therefore requiring (what all by nature, and most, it is to be feared, through defective principle and practice, require) that transformation" by the renewing of the mind, that pntting off the old man, and putting on the new man, which is so emphatically enjoined by St. Paul to his baptized Romans and Ephesians. We would prefer, as a more correct torin, "renewed," Editor. "Recommend to your people inquiries of the following nature and purport: What is your general course of conduct? Is it agreeable only to your natural inclinations, and to the fashion and opinions of the world; or is it your endeavour to regulate it by the rule of the divine law? What is your prevailing principle and motive? Is it humble fear and fervent loves of God, and desire to live in the service of Christ, whom you feel to be all in all to you; or is it self-love, and the fear and love of the world? What is your main object and hope? Is it to secure an interest in the atonement and righteousness of Christ, and a place, even the lowest, in his kingdom; or is it rather worldly honour or wealth, success in earthly projects, or at best the union, if possible, of all the good things in both worlds, the recompense of a divided ser vice between God and Mammon ?' "Suffer none to exempt themselves from such an examination, whatever be their outward privileges and specious ap. pearances and the result, if they seek a right knowledge of themselves in hearty prayer, will, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, divide, as it were, the congregation, not indeed externally in the view of each other, but through the estimate which each individual will take of his own state. "It is your part, then, rightly to divide the word of truth,' and, without venturing yourself to assign it positively to any individual, offer to each character his portion, which he may apply to himself, according as, thus instructed, he shall perceive his state to be in the sight of God. Exalt the Saviour before the eyes of him whose conscience bears humble witness that he has chosen the better part, as his own God, in whom he has believed and found what his soul required. Entreat such a man to rely with more entire dependance upon His ever-faithful love to watch more scrupulously, lest prove ungrateful to so much mercy, and do despite to the Spirit so freely given; and to labour more assiduously in all the means of spiritual benefit, and in all the duties of private and social life, in order that he may adorn his profession, and show that he has not received this grace in vain. he "Exalt also the Saviour before those whose consciences must bear a contrary testimony, as the God whom they have hitherto rejected, grieved, and provoked from day to day, but who has borne with them so long, and still waits to be gra cious as the God, however, whose mercy may have a limit, and whose countenance may be about to change. "Exalt him in all his offices of Prophet, Priest, and King; in all his manifestations of love; in all his exhibitions of power. 1 "Thus, after the model of St. Paul, determine not to know any thing among your people save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.' "Let this be the general matter and strain of your addresses. It will produce no crude unqualified statement, no dry barren theory, no visionary conceits, no enthusiastic impulses. It will admit, nay demand, a deep and accurate developement of the foldings of the human heart, and its inmost motives. It will allow of the nicest adaptation of warning and encouragement to each varying shade of human character. It will accord with the tenderest and most discriminating care, lest you should wound the weak and needlessly desponding conscience; lest you should break the bruised reed,' and make the heart of the righteous sad, whom the Lord hath not made sad.' It will require the most pa particular enforcement of moral duties, in all their detail, and in their highest perfection. Do we make void the law through faith? God forbid yea, we establish the law. The whole of Scripture, its didactic, historical, and prophetical portions; its articles of belief, its practical precepts, its models of devotion, will all readily find their place in such a system, and perform their respective offices. It will be indeed the declaration of the whole counsel of God, the preaching of the Cross,' the ministration of the Spirit,' the preaching that will be a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death.' "It was such preaching, which, proceeding from the lips of Cranmer, Latimer, Ridley, and our own Hooper, dispelled the darkness of Popery, and erected our Church on its ruins. It is such preach. ing which has ever since maintained its purity and its power of doing good. It is preaching of this general nature and tendency which Archbishop Secker, and Bishops Horne and Horsley, so forcibly recommended in their Charges, and to which the humblest of their followers must now set to his seal, and bear his unequivocal and decided testimony. It is by such preaching that our incomparable Church will prove incontestably, in every part of her public ministry, no less than in her doctrines and services, the sanctuary and dispenser of true religion, and virtue, and may best hope, with the assistance of the Divine Spirit, to present to that God from whom she derives her origin, the most acceptable sacrifice of gratitude for great and peculiar blessings a people zealous in his faith, and walking in his ways." We earnestly pray that the feelings and sentiments which the concluding paragraph recommends, may |