'its goods were at peace;' but now that it hath gained a name and hath been made a praise in the earth,—now that its exertions are mighty, and its efforts strikingly owned of God and specially blessed, behold the cry of the children of Edom is revived, and passeth from mouth to mouth, "raze it, raze it, even to the foundation thereof!", Whilst, however, we are confident of this very thing, that both the perils of our revered Establishment, and of the Church universal, shall eventually terminate in the enhancement of personal godliness with many, and in the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom at large; though, we trust, as to our Church, the gracious word hath gone forth," destroy it not for a blessing is in it;" yet are we privileged meanwhile to wrestle with God, and pray, that, for the elect's sake, the present days of trial may be shortened.' But whilst we tremble for the ark of God, and pant for the peace and prosperity of Zion,-how important is it that the Church itself, throughout its various members, should unite in one common compact, and,―in reverence we appropriate the sacred language, come "to the help of the Lord against the mighty!" For the Church of Christ at large, it would doubtless be a goodly and a blessed purpose, to seek by ardent and distinctive endeavours for the promotion of unity; and for the Established Church how momentously important might be the result of a universal effort, with a heart-felt putting forth of the accordant prayer, for the promotion of the spirit of unity, peace, and concord! How essential is it, truly, in this day of peril and trial, that at least all the professed members of our beloved Church should be united among themselves; that all such varieties of opinion should be submerged as affect not the truth as it is in Jesus;' that all our Clergy should come together in charity and peace, and our people in affection and concord; and that all should combine in one gracious purpose of alliance for the advancement of the glory of God, the good of his Church, the safety, honour, and welfare of our Sovereign and his dominions!' As a small contribution of Christian effort for these important objects, the present Lectures, having first been delivered from the pulpit to the Author's congregation, are now, at the suggestion and solicitation of many who heard them, committed to the press, and humbly offered to the Church of Christ. May the Great Head of the Church whose will it is that His people should be one, even as Jehovah is one, be pleased to bless this humble endeavour for the promotion of his gracious purpose to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Exeter, 5th February, 1833. CONTENTS. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and If ye fulfil the Royal Law according to the Scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well; but .... have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them 67 |