The Church and the world, a sermon, with a preface containing some account of the author's dismissal from his curacy

It is not usually considered necessary for a Preacher of the Word of God to recommend his labours to the world by an introductory apology. But when the annexed Discourse is known to have been delivered in a Church, with which the author had no immediate connexion, though officially attached to another in the same city; and when its unusual length,-occupying, with the utmost efforts at compression, nearly two hours in the delivery, and upwards of sixty pages in print,-is found to comprise an extent of subject, enough for a moderate series; some account may not unreasonably be required of the circumstances to which the performance in question owes its rise. They shall be stated in as few aud simple words as possible.

For several years past, the writer has held the situation of Curate, to the important Parish of St. Edmund, Salisbury. Till within the last twelvemonth, he is not aware that his ministry, either in or out of the pulpit, has been disapproved. But of late, he freely and joyfully confesses that a great alteration has taken place in his own views and sentiments upon the subject of religion. Many have been since offended; and among the rest, he regrets to add, his benevolent and venerable Rector. The consequence has been his dismissal from the Curacy, on the charge of inculcating doctrines inconsistent with the Bible, and with the public interpretations of the Church of England.

To this removal from his office, conducted in a manner perfectly legal, he can have nothing to object: but where no specific accusation has been preferred against any thing which he

has taught, but only a general assertion of his disagreement with those authorities, a departure from which is at all events a departure from that communion, to which he was solemnly devoted in ordination; it appeared a most desirable course, if not a necessary act of self-defence, that he should both preach and publish, in one uninterrupted form, a summary of his tenets on those three topics, which constitute the distinctive characteristics of vital religion, and within which he believes that the main objections to all spiritual instruction are invariably comprehended. And having for some months past been removed from the pulpit of his own Parish, though he ceases only on this day to take some share in the other offices of public ministration, he was compelled to ask permission to address his brethren within the walls of a neighbouring Church. The result appears in the ensuing pages. The author neither asks nor expects indulgence, wherever he may have spoken unwelcome truths. Having ceased alike either to value the applause, or to shun the reproaches, of the world, he now desires nothing but the glory of God, in the promotion of His gospel, and the salvation of His creatures. If these are not objects to gratify his utmost hopes and wishes, he has yet to learn the mournful lesson, that the principles he teaches to others have hitherto wrought no practical effect on his own character and prospects.

Disagreements of this kind among professors of the same creed, are doubtless melancholy enough: melancholy, as indications of some unhealthy organ in the constitution of the Church; and still more melancholy, as tending to shake the confidence of weaker brethren, and overrun the face of Christianity with doubt, distraction, and error. Into the causes of their perpetual recurrence, there can be no occasion in this place to inquire: those who take a hearty interest in the religious advancement of mankind, can feel but little hesitation in assigning them to their proper origin. An occupation more appropriate to the present posture of his affairs, the writer has ventured to adopt, in attempting what he deems the most

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