case, as that immediate decision should be indispensably necessary; and, in the mean while, let him give himself to the study of the word of God with increased diligence and earnest prayer. If the Church's decision is, in very deed, so ambiguous, it is clear that he is thrown more upon his own resources, and left more to his own judgment for ascertaining the sense of Scripture. This is one

course.

2. For the other: Let him consult his spiritual guide his pastor, or, if he be himself a pastor, his bishop, or, (whether he be layman or clerk,) if such deference to authority for authority's sake, how well soever it may sound in theory, be so strange a doctrine to our ears that we are unable to receive it, or if the want of necessary discipline render it impossible in some cases that it should be put in practice, "some other discreet and learned minister of God's word"." It belongs to the minister's office to direct the people in matters of faith, guiding himself by the word of God, and interpreting that word, under the limitations which have been already stated, as the Church to which he belongs has interpreted it. And to this end he is required to set aside as much as may be other matters, and to draw all his cares and studies this way," that by daily reading and weighing of the Scriptures, he may wax riper and stronger in his ministryf." If,

e See the first Exhortation in the Communion Service.

f Ordination Service, Priests.

therefore, a man is incompetent to decide for himself, it is obvious, in common reason, that in applying for direction to one, who has expressly made it his business to search into divine truth, he is taking the safest and best course. And who shall doubt but that God's special aid is to be looked for by a minister, when, in the discharge of his office, and after the careful study of God's word, and in the spirit of prayer, he does give counsel to those who seek the law at his mouths?"

IV. It need scarcely be observed, that what has been said in the foregoing pages, is addressed exclusively to members of our own Church, and has reference to the course to be pursued by them, either in their controversies with one another, if unhappily such arise, or in their own private enquiries after truth. It would be idle to expect, that the authority of our Church should be deferred to by those without her pale. They who are called upon to enter into controversy with these, must appeal to Scripture as the alone rule of faith; and where the sense of Scripture is disputed, support their interpretation of God's word, by a reference to the authority of catholic antiquity.

* Malachi ii. 7. On the subject of Spiritual Guides, see Barrow's Sermons, serm. 56-59. See also Jeremy Taylor's Liberty of Prophesying, sect. 10. Works, vol. viii. p. 92, &c.

K

SERMON V.

THE BEAM IN OUR OWN EYE.

THE DUTY OF FIRST CASTING OUT THE BEAM THAT IS IN

OUR OWN EYE, CONSIDERED WITH REFERENCE TO THE

CONDUCT OF THE VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF CHRISTIANS TOWARDS EACH OTHER.

Preached on the First Sunday after Trinity, May 28, 1837.

Of strife and of dissension

Dissolve, O Lord, the bands,

And knit the knots of peace and love

Throughout all Christian lands.

Ordination Service. The Ordering of Priests.

"If those excellent words, which our blessed Master spake, could not charm the tumult of our spirits, I had little reason to hope that one of the meanest and most ignorant of his servants could advance the end of that which he calls his great, and his old, and his new commandment, so well as the excellency of his own Spirit and discourses could. And yet since he, who knew every event of things, and the success and efficacy of every doctrine, and that very much of it to most men, and all of it to some men, would be ineffectual, yet was pleased to consign our duty, that it might be a direction to them that would, and a conviction and a testimony against them that would not obey; I thought it might not misbecome my duty and endeavours, to plead for peace and charity, and forgiveness, and permissions mutual." Jeremy Taylor, Epistle Dedicatory prefixed to the Liberty of Prophesying. Works, vol. 7. p. eccxcvi.