MUST ACT, MORE CANDIDLY. 169 of the gospel have been kept too much in the back ground. And because we could ill sustain the unmeasured importance that we attached to these things by reference to Scripture, we have been in the habit of appealing too much to Antiquity-of appealing too much to ecclesiastical Tradition, and thus have laid the foundation for those Anglo-Catholic errors which now judicially are overspreading us. We must undo what we have done; we must become more Protestant, and we must become more Catholic than we have ever been more Protestant, by loving all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ; more Catholic, by recognizing every where that the churches of other communities are our brethren-true churches of Christ. It must not be with a cowardly, timid, secret confession, that we allow their ministers to be ministers of Christ, but we must proclaim it' on the house tops,' we must tell it to every one, that their ministers are no less Christ's ministers than we ourselves, and that they are as much ordained by Christ himself, and a part of his Church as we are, though we have a different form. Until we thus affectionately, openly, and unhesitatingly recognize their orders,' we are not half uniting as we ought to unite with the Universal Church of Christ. It is our part, in this day, to own them as our brethren, and to cling the 170 SCOTCH TERMS OF UNITY. more affectionately to them, because of those semi-papal errors that have strangely revived amongst us. If we would maintain the truth as it is in Jesus,' we must thus cling to that true unity, in opposition to that spurious unity which we are recommended to form; and we must be united on the principles of faith, and hope, and love, and then we may hope to see those promised triumphs of the Gospel, which have been so long delayed by our divisions, accomplished through the mercy of the Lord." In entire accordance, also, with these enlightened views, is the proposal of some of the members of the [now FREE] Church of Scotland, as to the commemorating of the Bicentary of the Meeting of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, which will happen in July, 1843. In a recent document, they observe, that " A desire after more unity was rapidly extending in the Christian Church." And," in entire accordance with the spirit of Protestantism, as well as with the exigencies of the times, it is conceived that such a body, from various evangelical denominations, might harmoniously and effectively meet [at the Bicentary Commemoration], and concur in a statement of errors renounced and opposed, rather than of truths held. And the errors which would require to be specified are of such a nature, that the mere denial of SCOTCH TERMS OF UNITY. 171 them would be a sufficient guarantee for substantial soundness of faith. The errors are chiefly of these kinds; and the terms might be stated in the form of a protest against Rationalism, Popery, and Tractarianism. The Protest would thus [as a condition of confederation] embody a denial, or renunciation (1.) Of Socinian and Rationalistic principles, as these affect-1. The inspiration and interpretation of Holy Scripture. 2. The doctrine of the Trinity. 3. The Person of Christ. 4. The doctrine of the Atonement. (2.) Of Popish principles, as they affect-1. The supreme and exclusive authority of Scripture. 2. The doctrine of the Mass, Transub stantiation, Purgatory, &c. 3. The power of the Priesthood, Auricular Confession, Supremacy over Civil Rulers, &c. (3.) Of Tractarian principles, as these affect, -1. The doctrine of Justification. 2. The doctrine of Regeneration. 3. The doctrine of the Sacraments. 4. The Apostolical Succession, and the Catholicity of the Church." Such is the proposal for Unity amongst many in Scotland, and similar breathings after the same object have been witnessed amongst the members of the "Congregational Union." When this desirable spirit more pervades the members of the Universal Church, then, con 172 SOLEMN ADDRESS. tending for the faith unitedly, and not denominationally, she shall go on conquering and to conquer" bright as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners;" whilst at the same time, shall be happily and gloriously realized the desire of our Redeemer, when he prayed thus for the Church-"That they all may be ONE, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee; that they also may be ONE in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." For the furtherance of this important object, let us be persuaded to merge our minor differences, and let us contend for "THE FAITH," unitedly, not denominationally. In these five several ways, cultivating the feelings, and exemplifying the spirit which has been described, are christians recommended to defend from assault, and to extend as to influence, their protestant principles. Hitherto the writer has been professedly addressing genuine believers, and real lovers of saving truth. But perhaps these pages may fall into the hands of the unthinking, the frivolous, the vain, the worldly, and the unbelieving. Instead of exhorting such, to earnestly contend for the faith, there is a far more urgent necessity for the writer to present, before laying down his pen, with all the point and pathos he can summon to the occasion, this most solemn inter of God? TO THE UNCONVERTED. 173 rogatory-Reader-Dost thou believe in the Son You perhaps have a speculative, a theoretic faith; but still, if you only have this, you have not the faith of God's elect. Fearing that this may be the awful case with some who may peruse these pages, such are affectionately exhorted to serious self-examination instantly. As in the sight of that God who knows the every thought, and most inward feelings and principles of mind-that God who now sees you your through and through-you are solicited to give a true answer to the soul-searching enquiry— Dost thou believe in the Son of God? Pause. Be persuaded to take a few moments for solemn reflection and decision. Give vent to ejaculatory prayer, whilst you are searching into the real state of your heart. And remember, that whilst you are discussing, and secretly determining this point, between God and your inmost spirit, unseen beings are marking most narrowly all your searchings of heart, your inward emotions, and secret aspirations. Answer then now— Dost thou believe in the Son of God ?—And oh! should angels, who rejoice in the conversion of the returning prodigal, detect in your spirit, ere you close these leaves, the first risings of a desire for true and saving faith, and love to our Lord Jesus Christ—should they see the first tear of godly sorrow for sin gushing from your down |