271

REESE

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY

OF

CALIFORNIA.

which, if left to the short-sighted policy of those whose attachment is founded only in a love to secular advantages, must inevitably befal. How much might be accomplished for the true interests of episcopacy, for the union of the various departments of the holy catholic church, for the general interests of christianity at home

vations. Let us, however, turn to the distinct efforts made by each great body for the diffusion of Christianity abroad, as affording data for comparison.

EPISCOPAL MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.

Sums actually subscribed in the United Kingdom for 1828-9

DISSENTING MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.

Sums actually subscribed in the United Kingdom for 1828-9

and abroad, if, renouncing the alliance by which it is fettered, the endowments by which it is secularized, and the uncharitable assumptions by which it is dishonoured, the Church of England became entirely Protestant in its character, and the resources of wealth, learning, and piety, which it includes, were brought under the operation of the same vigorous, because voluntary and popular principles, which obtain in other communions. Let it be remembered, that not only in the apostolic age, but for the first three centuries, the Christian ministry was supported, and the Christian church extended, by the voluntary sacrifices of the hand; that Christian principle, where it is the object of the ministry to cherish and nurture it, still developes itself in the same way, and for the same purposes; and that the fruit produced abounds to the account of those by whom it is brought forth.

There are the sacrifices of the lip.

"By him (Christ) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”* And when the ground of acceptance is understood, and we enjoy peace with God by the blood of the cross, coming to it as the one spiritual altar,† of the virtue of whose perfect sacrifice all Christians partake, and by which

all the oblations that they present are hallowed for their own enjoyment and God's complacent regard; they may rejoice evermore, and in every thing give thanks. In this way, the sacrifices of the Christian church become as much more frequent and numerous as they are more spiritual, than those which were offered under the law. The prayers of each individual member of the church "are set forth before God as incense, and the lifting up of the hands as the evening sacrifice." And thus, in proportion as the Christian church extends its boundaries, the prediction of Malachi receives its accomplishment. "For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering; for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts."* And at length the world, filled with the knowledge of the Lord, will become as God's holy mountain of Jerusalem, where only sacrifices could at one time be offered: in it no hurting or destroying, but all its nations, tribes, and families approaching the one christian altar, the cross, and abiding under the shadow of the divine presence, shall minister before their common God and Father, a holy priesthood; giving thanks always for all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, presenting spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by him. Who, with the pros

pect of the pleasing scene before him, can refrain from lifting up his heart in fervent prayer to God, and employing the language prepared by the pen of inspiration for our use, and referring to the consummation so devoutly to be wished; "God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us, that thy name may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise thee; O let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Let the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise thee; then shall the earth yield her increase, and God even our own God shall bless us. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him."

God, before whom the holy priesthood now ministers, separated to his service, and touching no unclean thing, acknowledges and regards them as the children of his family, sends his Spirit into their hearts, as the spirit of adoption, promises them an inheritance and crown of glory, calls them heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; and thus a character is impressed upon them, unknown to the Jewish people, or the Jewish priests; they are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, showing forth his praise, who has called them out of darkness into his marvellous light. In this way are they training on earth for the ministrations of the celestial temple, the worship presented in which was opened to the wondering eyes and ravished ears of the beloved disciple; "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."*

We have now reached the close of our subject, and are prepared to contemplate the harmony of its parts, and to estimate the amount of their consolidated strength. We have seen, that Levitical terms are never employed to describe the privileges or work of the Christian ministry, and consequently that all the pretensions of those who profess to discharge the functions of an official priesthood in the Christian church, are totally unauthorized, and nugatory; that their work is incongruous with the Christian dispensation, and incompatible with the character of those who are completely qualified to teach what that dispensation really is. We have seen that Christ has embodied in his work the types which were presented in the office and ritual of the Old Testament priesthood; that he has entered, as the exclusive Priest of the New Testament dispensation, into the true temple, which, because it is in heaven, can never be desecrated, nor its service be at any time suspended; that in his work there is