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but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth, so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

And this will lead us to the consideration of the next branch of this duty, as it regards our neighbour, which will consist chiefly, if not entirely, in the cultivation of those fruits of the Spirit, which have relation to our intercourse with each other. These are principally-love, peace, gentleness, goodness, meekness. These are the virtues which should distinguish and adorn the members of Christian societies. Happy would it be for them if their past history reflected greater credit upon them in this respect than it does, and if their present condition were more satisfactory, or their future prospects more consolatory than they are. It is a melancholy consideration, that the principles of Christianity cannot sometimes be vindicated but at the expence Christians. For whilst its spirit breathes nothing but peace and good will on earth amongst men, the practice of its followers has seldom been free from strife and discord.― That this state of things should be perpetual, we cannot possibly believe, for it would strike at the very root and foundation of the religion

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itself. Its very truth cannot be maintained upon such an hypothesis. Is it not then our clear duty, to endeavour to hasten the period of universal concord? And how can this be accomplished but by mutual concession? Do not the principles of Protestantism call upon us to take the lead in this pious and charitable work? If we have in former times had great reason to complain of our Catholic brethren, are we not expressly commanded to forgive our brother, not seven times but seventy times seven? that is, to extend to him unlimited forgiveness. Is it for us to adopt some of the worst principles, for which we separated, and justly separated, ourselves from the Romish Communion? Religious bigotry, persecution, intolerance, and assumption of infallibility, are equally odious, whether they proceed from a Catholic or a Protestant.Nay, they are much worse in the latter case, because they are inconsistent with the principles which he professes, which cannot perhaps be said of the former instance. I do therefore think that as Protestants, we are especially bound to make the most earnest efforts at least, to live in unity and godly love, with all our Christian brethren of every persuasion.

For till Christians are united amongst themselves, it will be in vain for them to expect, to make much progress in bringing infidels and heathens to the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel. Be it that measures of conciliation may not be unattended with some inconvenience, or even danger-(an apprehension however, which I believe to be perfectly groundless,) still as the danger (if any) is of a civil and secular nature, and cannot be extended to our religious interests, it ought not to be brought into competition, with the paramount object, of establishing Christian amity and peace. The security for our faith, is in ourselves and in our God, and requires no other protection or support. If we are true to him, and honour him not with our lips only, but in our lives and conversations, he will not desert us, nor suffer our Christian liberty to be withdrawn from us, either by force or fraud. When we were few in number, and destitute of worldly strength, by the force of truth and reason alone, we triumphed over superstition and error, in all the plenitude of their power and dominion. And is it to be imagined, that now when we are relatively as strong, as we were formerly weak, we can be

again brought under the yoke of bondage, by those who are comparatively sunk into impotence and decrepitude? I make no apology for throwing out (not unseasonably I trust) these few observations, because I think the time is come, when it is the bounden duty of every clergyman, to deliver from the pulpit his conscientious opinion upon a matter which lies within their peculiar province and which has so long agitated and divided this land.

It remains only to add a few words, upon the third and last point to be considered, which respects our duty to the Holy Spirit, as he is our God. And this will consist in praying to him for that influence which he can shed abroad in our hearts, for the confirmation of our faith, the increase of our hope, and the extension of our charity: and in offering to him that worship to which we believe him to be entitled, as the third person of the blessed Trinity. But as the former part of this subject has been already very much anticipated in this discourse, and the latter part, we shall immediately be engaged in performing, in the most solemn and appro

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priate manner, at the table of our Lord, I shall now conclude, with ascribing to him, conjointly with the Father and the Son, all power and glory, might, majesty and dominion, henceforth and for ever.

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