‘tt DELIVERED BEFORE 
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 | | PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH 
 
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/ Barbet Collection _ 
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 The original edition of this Sermon as published in the 
 Diocess in which it was delivered—it is believed that very 
 few copies of it have reached Maryland. It isa producti- ; 
 on of such “uncommon excellence, that the publisher of — 
 this edition thought that he could not render a greater ser- 
 vice to the Church, than by affording every faithful mer- 
 ber of it an opportunity of procuring a by 
 
 im 
 * 
 . 
 4 
 
"SERMON. 
 
 Amos, Chap. 7th, ver. sth, latter clause. “By whom 
 shall Jacob arise? for he is small.” 
 
 Tue providencies and dealings of Almighty God, for and 
 with his Church, form a very conspicuous and instructive 
 portion of the inspired writings. Indeed we might bejus- 
 tified in observing, that. the whole scheme of revelation 
 and prophecy is predicated on the existence of a Body or 
 Society of men, distinct from and called out of the world, 
 as the peculiar people of God; arid that the dealings of God, 
 wheiher in acts of mercy, or in the infliction of judgments, 
 refer primarily to this his inheritance; through that, to the 
 rest of mankind, aud ultimately, as we are warranted in 
 believing and saying, to the higher intelligencies of the un- 
 seen world. ‘To the intent (says the apostle to the Ephes. 
 3, & 10.) that now, unto the principalities and powers in 
 heaven!y places, might be known by the Church, the ma- 
 nifeld wisdom of God.” . 
 
 Thus divine in its origin, influential in its character, and 
 single in its designation, it presents a subject of the most 
 impressive consideration to all mankind; inasmuch, as it is 
 only in connection with this Body or Society, that the re- 
 vealed promises and hopes given m and by Jesus Chiist, 
 are assured to men, and the appointed means of grace and 
 salyation brought with*a their reach. 
 
 Unéer this view, a brief notice of the distinctive charac- 
 ter of the Church, as presented in the scriptures. will pre- 
 pare the way for an appropriate improvement of the text. 
 
 That this point has been greatly neglected, and held 
 back from the public edification of christians, even by 
 those who were nevertheless entrusted with itsdefence and 
 support, is unhappily too evident, and the consequences 
 such, as to warn both ministers and people, that it is time 
 to retrace their steps, and by considering this vital doc- 
 irine in its application to the hope of man as a sinner, . to 
 learn its influential bearing on the advaficement of pure 
 and undefiled religion in the world. 
 
 ‘I feel, my reverend brethren, as I doubt not you also 
 do—the full difficulty with which long neglect, and the con- 
 sequent prevalence, and almost establishment of errone-- 
 ous opinion, invesis.the subject. But I trust that I feel 
 
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 ‘ ’ 
 ee 3 Sa ed: ee ee 
 
* vival o 
 
 * 49 
 
 and that you feel, the awful responsibility of our respec- 
 tive stewardships, and are red to meet whatever may 
 be required by a conscientiots discharge of duty. And f 
 trust, also, that you, my brethren of the laity, feel that 
 lively interest in the cause we have in hand, which shall 
 ensure yor hearty co-operation in such plans for the re- 
 the Church in her pure and primitive character, as 
 
 its present condition, and the means in our controul, shall 
 render adviseable; while I cannot permit myself to sup- 
 pose, that amid the variety of opinions on this subject now 
 before me. there can one be found, by whom it will be con- 
 sidered an unnecessary or unprofitable discussion. Error, 
 my dear hearers, however sanctioned by time and numbers, 
 still retains its character: truth, however obscured by ig- 
 norauce or prejudice, or rejected by men, is yet eternal and 
 unchangeable as ifs author. And when eternity, with all 
 its glories, er with all its horrors, is suspended upon truth 
 or error, here received and foliowed, the astounded excla- 
 mation of Pilate, before our blessed Lord, *¢whatis truth?” 
 should burst from all our lips, and engage our enquiries. 
 
 To every class of my hearers, then, I must believe that 
 a candid and'seriptural, though necessarily brief enquiry, 
 imto the origin and purpose of the Church, and of the ap- 
 pointments of Heaven in it, for the salvation of man, must 
 be both desirable and profitable. While to us my clerical 
 and lay brethren of this Convention, it is essential to the 
 right performance of the duties devolved on us, that we 
 view the subject in.this light, as well as in the causes which 
 contributed to its decline; otherwise, with the best inten- 
 tions, our efforts may prove abortive, because erroneously 
 devised and improperly directed. If Jacob is ever to arise, 
 it must beas Jacob, and not as Esau. 
 
 First—as to the origin of the Church. 
 
 That the Church is divine in its origin, and in the ap 
 pointments connected with it, is so generally admitted a 
 doctrine, that the less may suffice on this point; yet it ought 
 ever to be borne in mind, that this divine institution of 
 the wisdom and goodness of God, is not an abstract 
 idea to be entertained in the mind; but an actual, visible, 
 accessible body or society, for practical use; deriving its 
 constitution, laws and authority, directly from God. As 
 such, it is placed beyond the reach of any human appoint- 
 ment, addition or alteration; and this so strictly, that all 
 the wisdom, piety and authority in the world, congregated 
 together, is just as incompetent to originate a Church, as 
 to call another universe into existence. ‘This, however, 
 will be more evident, when we come in the reat place to 
 
 Ry we 
 
(5) ” 
 consider the purpose of such an institution. And’ as this 
 is the key which unlocks all the difficulties that surround 
 this subject, from the divided state of the christian world, 
 it will be necessary to consider what led to the appoint- 
 ment of the Church as a distinct body, with a visible and 
 verifiable character. a i 
 
 The dispensations°of Heaven’s mercy and wisdom for 
 the salvation of fallen man, are presented to us under va- 
 rious aspects, all of which are closely connected with each 
 
 -other; yet with marks of distinct discrimination, manifest- 
 -ing, nevertheless, that it is the same plan, modified and 
 fitted by the Almighty himself, to the- condition of. that. 
 poor, perverse, and opposing being, for whose benefit it 
 was all provided, and who has never ceased to corrupt and 
 depart from it, in every age of the world. 
 
 Under the first, or Patriarchal dispensation, as it is called, 
 of religion, as the benefits of the covenant of redemption 
 were to be continued im their knowledge and operation, by 
 the influence of parental instruction, and a family priest- 
 hood, no particular designation as a Church, or visible so- 
 ciety, with privileges and obligations, promises and helps, 
 of a special description, was marked out.. Each family 
 composed a Church for the worship of God, and was fur- 
 nished with the necessary means of grace within itself, in 
 the offering of that sactifice which prefigured the Lamb 
 ‘slain from the foundation of the world, and was appointed 
 and intended, to keep alive in the minds of men, the know- 
 ledge of their fallen condition, and of the only method of 
 recovery from it. 
 
 When, however, an experience of 1500 years had prov- 
 ed that the corruption of human nature was too powerful 
 to be withstood and counteracted by this method of conti- 
 nuing the influence of religion in the world; and when a 
 farther trial of the same means, for the space of 500 years 
 more, under the fresh remembrance too, of the recent de- 
 struction of the ungodly by the general deluge, and the still 
 more recent visitation of the dispersion at Babel, had de- 
 monstrated, that they did not like to retain God in their 
 knowledge; but had corrupted their way before him, and 
 departed from both the letter and spirit of his institutions 
 —Then it pleased the merciful Saviour of poor sinners, 
 again to interpose; and by selecting from this mass of cor- 
 ruption, another family—through that te restore, and con- | 
 tinue in the world, the true knowledge of God, of the wor- 
 ship acceptable to him, of the expectation of a Deliverer, 
 in the promised seed of the woman, and of the means of 
 that grace, by which only, can fallen man be renewed in 
 
 4 
 
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 (6) 
 
 the spirit of his mind, delivered from the guilt and power 
 of sin, and from that eternal death, which is its only wages. 
 
 In this, the second dispensation of true religion, pro- 
 vided for mankind, the distinction from that which preced- 
 ed it, to be most.carefully marked and considered by us, is,, 
 its covenanted and peculiar character; in other words, the 
 limited and _prescribed conditions, on which only, its privi- 
 Jeges and advantages can be obtained. Hf we overlook 
 this, we overlook its most distinguishing feature, lese that 
 deeply impressive lesson, which it was intended to teach 
 us, and pass over the most interesting, because most influ- 
 ential part of the-whole transaction; that of a new relation. 
 to God, conferred upon men by outward and visible marks, 
 and henceforth confined and limited within this institution. 
 For it is this, and this only, my brethren and friends, which 
 marks its separation from the rest of the world, as the 
 Church, the peculium, the elect of God. Because of this 
 its distinctive character, it was made the visible and only 
 depository of his revealed will and-precious promises. For 
 certainty aud assurance, ‘to this Church: were committed, 
 those lively oracles of divine truth, which were corrupted 
 and lost under the custody of tradition. And in it was. 
 prepared and established that body of testimony to the per- 
 son and offices of Jesus Christ, as the promised seed of the 
 ‘woman, which shines so bright, so’enlivening, comfortable 
 and irrefragable to us, under the gospel. ‘Through this 
 channel only, was to flow hereafter, that chain of revela- 
 tion, prophecy and providence, which constitutes and con- 
 firms the hope of man. And to mark its dignity and pre- 
 eminence, and to fulfil the wise purposes of its founder, 
 the condition of the rest of the world, in the rise and fall 
 of its kingdoms, and in the operation of its various events, 
 js overruled, and made subservient to the advancement, 
 enlargement, and final establishment of this kingdom ef 
 God.upon the earth, against all the opposition of mem and, 
 devils combined. 
 
 For the order and uniformity of the public, preseribed, 
 and therefore only acceptable service of God, im this his 
 sanctuary, a divinely constituted priesthood was appoint- 
 ed, through which alone, were the people permitted te. 
 present their united worship, to offer up the proper sacri- 
 fice for personal as well as general sin, ‘and to draw assu- 
 rance of forgiveness, through the efficacy of that great 
 sin-offering, atonement and expiation, which all their ga- 
 erifices represented. : 
 
 Hence, my brethren, the singular and personal charac- 
 ter under which it is spoken of, throughout the scriptures; 
 
(7) 
 
 that sacred unity with which it is invested; hence, that 
 zeal for its purity and interest, so constantly manifested, 
 and that care with which its constitution and government 
 were fenced against all intrusion. : 
 
 Hence, also, the strong language, in which its endu- 
 rance or everlasting continuance is spoken of in the serij- 
 tures; which proves that it was not a temporary appoint- 
 ment; but inseparably connected with the wonderful plan 
 of man’s redemption, and to-run parallel with it, and effi- 
 cient init, *‘untii the earth shall be filled with the know- 
 ledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the great deep,” 
 ‘and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of 
 our Lord, and of his Christ.” | ; 
 
 Here, then, my brethren and friends, let us pause a mo- 
 ment, and look back and reflect, what would have been 
 the state of the world, what would have been.our indivi- 
 dual condition, had this wise and merciful provision of the 
 love of God, never been appointed; had men been left, as 
 justly they might have been, to the influence of traditional 
 
 nowledge, as the ground and the means of salvation for 
 sinners—and let the awful religious blank which the 
 thought reflects back upon the mind, awaken us to const- 
 der more carefully, the foundation on which we are build- 
 ing for eternity; whether on this certified and verifiable 
 basis of God’s appointment, or on some presumptuous 
 imitation of its lineaments, by the weak and incompetent 
 intrusion of human wisdom. “I speak as unto wise men, 
 judge ye what I say.” 
 
 ~ But to proceed— Thus divine in its origin, constitution 
 and appointments—definite in its purpose, and singular in 
 its character, the Old Testament Church stands alone in 
 the world, like the ark on the waters of the deluge, the 
 -sole depository of the truth, and of the people of God; 
 nor is there access to it, nor admission within its saving 
 enclosure, otherwise than according to the institution of 
 its founder. It was competent to no man; not even to 
 Lot, or to Melchisideck, to obtain its privileges, without 
 its seal. Whatever ef mercy might be in store for them 
 and the rest of mankind observing the law written in the 
 heart, it was not the pledged and promised mercy made 
 ever to the Church. Whatever the truth or reasonable- 
 ness of any religious duty might be; however well founded 
 the hope of God’s favour, from conformity to the dictates 
 of natural conscience; it was not the truth confirmed. by 
 express revelation; it was not the hope which springs from 
 the promise of God, certified by outward, visible and ap- 
 pointed ordinances, as helps to faith, taeans of grace, and 
 
=, ene erat 
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 (8) } + 
 
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 assurances of a relationship to God, in which none other 
 stood, transacted through an authorised and accredited 
 agent. ¢ fy ship yt eg 
 eThis, my brethren and hearers, is that deeply impres- 
 sive and influential character, in which the Church of the 
 living God is presented to our notice and use, in working 
 out our eternal salvation. This is that commanding fea- 
 ture, by which it is to be distinguished by us from all imi- 
 tations of it, by either the piety or the presumption of 
 fallible men; and it is by tracing it according to this, its 
 specifick character, through all the dealings and. providen- 
 cies of its founder, that we, at this day, are enabled to 
 discover and distinguish this ark of safety—this special 
 deposit of the promises of God to a fallen world—this au- 
 thorised source of agency between Heaven and Earth. For 
 the Church of Christ, under the New Testament dispensa- 
 “tion, isnot anew or fresh appointment of God, in the 
 sense and meaning too commonly entertained; but a ‘con- | 
 tinuation of. the old, in all its essential provisions. The 
 same, and not a new divine origination; the same, and not 
 a fresh devised constitution of government, administration 
 and authority; with the same and not another holy purpose 
 of separation, certainty and assurance te men, im things 
 spiritual-and invisible; and this, upon the sure ground, that 
 ‘‘Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, to-day and forever.” 
 From not attending to this essential point to the very 
 being of a Church, room has been given for the intrusion 
 of man’s presumption into this sacred appointment, and to 
 deal with it, as the creature of his contrivance, as a thing 
 subject to his alteration and amendment. By losing sight 
 of the intimate relation and analogy between the old and . 
 new testament dispensations; by failing to consider the 
 one as perfective of the other, confusion and’ obscurity on 
 this subject has spread over the christian world; and divi-. 
 sion and destruction, instead of union and peace, has been 
 the bitter fruit; while the event has fulfilled the prediction . 
 of our Lord, in impeding ‘the progress of the gospel, and . 
 encouraging that infidel spirit, which turns away from the 
 truth, because those who call themselves the disciples of 
 Christ, bite and devour one another. Above all—by neg- . 
 lecting to apply the test which God himself has provided, ° 
 whereby to determine the certainty with which we are 
 transacting our spiritual affairs, in the very natural enqui-. 
 ry—‘“By what authority doest thou these things?” and 
 substituting, in lieu thereof, the reputed piety and holiness 
 of particular men, has the darkness become thicker and 
 blacker, and the powerful prejudices of pride aud profes- 
 
(9°) 
 sion, been’ enlisted against the truth; so that men, rea 
 sonable beings, with the light of God’s word in their hands, 
 contentedly trust_their souls-to’a security, on which they 
 would not risk theit estates- | 
 
 Yet the truth remaineth, my brethren and friends, un- 
 affected in its heavenly and unchangeable nature, by any 
 perverseness and opposition of men. And to us it is giv- 
 en, by the distinguished mercy of God, to know and as- 
 certain‘the truth, to the comfort and health of our ‘souls. 
 The Church also, “the pillar‘and ground of the truth,” 
 the peculium of God, by the same distinguishing mercy,- 
 yet remaineth, lingering as it were, with us, and verifiable,- 
 by the same heavenly original, divine authority, and: sav- 
 ing purpose, which constitute its sacred» character.. As- 
 ‘uch, it is presented to your consideration this day, my: 
 hearers, in a point of view in which you may- Hever have 
 regarded it; briefly, it is true; yet sufficiently plain to 
 enable every man, with his bible in his hand, to determine’ 
 the question for himself. And sure Fam, that-this is the 
 only representation of the subject, which can correct: er- 
 roneous notions, or confirm those which are true; the only 
 ground on which there is any foundation for faith to rest. 
 upon, any assurance of hope im the revealed mercy of 
 God. For I am yet to learn, where a promise of 
 God, to fallen man is to be found, that is not limited on 
 the previous condition, that he be a member of Christ’s 
 visible Church upon earth-- 
 
 Tlaving thus given a faint outline of the origin, purpose, 
 and importance of the Church, as an appointment of Al- 
 mighty God in the gracious plan of: our redemption; I will 
 make a few remarks on that branch of the-true vine which 
 has been planted in this portion of the Lord’s vineyard. 
 
 Of the early state of the Church in this diocese, the no- 
 tices are so scanty, and my information so limited, that: 
 there is no safe ground on which to form an estimate of 
 the state of religion within our communion, previous to 
 the recent effort to revive the cause in the year 1817. - 
 
 The journals of the General Convention, and the lists 
 of the clergy in each state therein, published, give no no- 
 tice, that the Episcopal Church was even known by name 
 in North-Carolina. It is nevertheless certain, that the 
 Church was coeval with the establishment of a recular go- 
 vernment, and had spread the knowledge of her doctrines ~ 
 and liturgy, and formed regular congregations for the wor- 
 ship of God, as far west as the middle counties of the. state. 
 
 We must therefore refer the decline, and almost extin- 
 guishment of the Church here, to the same causes which 
 
(10) 
 
 to the final triumph of his spiritual naar, Sheer 
 
 The po period, however, during which the people were 
 deprived of the services of the sant maNan not fail 
 to operate injuriously. We gradually forget our dearest 
 friends, my brethren, when removed Pa: all intercourse 
 with them. Wesoon seek to form new connexions, and 
 we cleave to them the closer, perhaps, because of previous 
 privation. And thus it fared with the Church. . Multi- 
 tudes, who would never have deserted the fold, were forced 
 by want and privation into strange pastures. Still great- 
 er numbers have grown up in ignorance of her claims, and 
 even of her existence; while. the pride of opinion, reluc- 
 tance to acknowledge an error, and the modern fallacies 
 of liberality in religious opinion, and equal safety in all re- 
 ligious denominations, keep back many who once enjoyed 
 the benefit of her sound and safe ministrations, and bid 
 fair to establish the notion, that no religious profession -is 
 necessary. ‘Thus demonstrating by experience, that in 
 proportion as you weaken the vital doctrine of the visible 
 unity of the Church of Christ, by acknowledging commu- 
 nions erected by human authority, you encourage the growth 
 ‘of infidelity and impiety. And it requires but a fair con- 
 sideration of the effects which have followed the divisions 
 among christians, and the consequent adoption of liberal 
 opinions, to demonstrate the alarming. fact, that if the 
 Church of God may be found every where, it will soon be 
 sought nowhere. Indifference to religion, is the inevita~ 
 ble result of such pestilent notions; and this is the sum to- 
 tal of gain from this so much boasted system of liberal 
 opinions. iets DNASE 
 
 Yet the arm stretched out upon his inheritance was, and 
 is, an arm of mércy. “A remnant was left. ‘Jacob in- 
 deed was made thin, and the fatness of his flesh became 
 lean;” yet ‘‘gleaning grapes were left in the vineyard, as 
 the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries, in. the 
 top of the uppermost bough.” It was a praying remnant, 
 and it pleased God to open his ear to hearken, 
 
 For that remnant, then, it is, and for. those whom God 
 hath added to them, and for the deluded multitgdes who 
 are living without God in the world, we are met, in the 
 fear of God, I trust, and in the hope of his guidance and 
 direction in our counsels, to consult and devise things pro- 
 
* 
 
 {11) 
 fitable, prosperous and happy; the things which accompa- 
 ny salvation. Let us then enquire ; f 
 
 ‘Thirdly—By whom shall Jacob arise? gts 
 And by whom, my brethren and friends, can Zion “arise 
 and shake herself from the dust, and put on her beautiful 
 ents, and become the praise of the whole earth,” but 
 by that Almighty arm which upholds the universe; by that 
 ever living head, who hath pledged his promise, that the 
 gates uf Hell shall not prevail against her. i 
 On that promise I am built; on that providence I am 
 staid; and when I consider the marked interposition of his 
 hand in the commencement and progress of this work; 
 when I reflect, that by him who inspireth the counsels, and 
 ordereth the doings of the children of men, I meet you here 
 this day, in the station which I fill in his Church; I bend 
 in humble adoration before his wonder working power; I 
 rely, with unshaken confidence, in his abiding faithfulness; 
 and give myself to the work, “in the firm belief that the 
 set time to favour Zion is come. Well may we say, dear 
 brethren, “‘what hath God wrought!” and in contemplati- 
 on of what he hath already done, bestrengthened and en- 
 -couraged to be workers together with him, in building up 
 the waste places of Jerusalem. I have been among them, 
 my brethren—among the earliest records of the piety of 
 our forefathers; and my heart yearned over the ancient 
 and decaying, and now too often silent temples. I have 
 been among the ancient Simeons and Annas, servants. of 
 the Lord, who ‘‘take pleasure in the stones, and favour 
 even the dust of Zion;” who have prayed and fainted not, 
 through a long night of darkness and bereavement; and I 
 have seen the smile of transport, and the flush of hope, and 
 the fervour of devout and grateful praise, light up their 
 patriarchal ceuntenances, as the promise of a brighter day 
 dawned upon their children; and I felt that it would not 
 be disappointed. =~ - 
 In this holy hope, then, let us continually look up te our 
 eat covenant head, and ever merciful Redeemer; beseech-' 
 ing him to inspire our prayers, direct our counsels, and 
 prosper our endeavours ‘‘to the advancement of his glory, 
 the good of his Church, the safety, honour and welfare of 
 his people.” : | 
 _ But while it is by the Lord only, that Jacob-can arise, 
 it is by the use of means within our reach, by joiming our 
 earnest endeavours to our united prayers, that this most 
 desirable work is to be carried on and effected. 
 First, then, because of the highest concernment, let us, 
 my brethren, ever bear in mind, from what causes the de- 
 
(12) 
 
 “pression and downfall of the Church original nal y «pr a 
 ee guard carefully against a return of the tame. a: A 
 Throughout the whole history of God’s dealings with +h 
 
 Church, we may see, that the light of his cou 
 upon his people, or the hidings of his face from tl the - 
 bs aaa of “ = to.them, ,and the infliction of 
 lis judgments oa-them, have ever been regulated, accor-— 
 due as piety or ungodliness prevailed ee them. Now, 
 all these things, we are-instructed, ‘*happened uate them 
 for ensawples, and are written for onr admonition, upon 
 whom.iie ends of the world are come.” Happy, .then, 
 will it be fer us, any brethren and hearers, if we take war- 
 ning by tbis more recent example and proof, that the same 
 order of his providence yet subsists; and keep ourselves 
 from the evil way of profession without practice, religion 
 without holiness. Many snppose, that in the Episcopal 
 Church, a greater laxity is allowed, than in other denomi- 
 nations. But this manifests a total ignorance .of all our 
 institutions. No countenance is given or allowed to what 
 is sinful; nor can any denomination pretend to greater 
 sirictness,-than is required by the Canons and Rubricks of 
 the Church. . “We cannot help it, my brethren, if persons 
 whose conduct is a scandal to all christian profession, will 
 call themselves Episcopalians: the discipline of the Church 
 can be apptied -only to those who are known and received 
 as communicants; and by those compared with any other 
 denomination, we fear-not to be tested; yet with us, whate-- 
 -¥er may be the case with other professions, we :know and 
 confess, that much of the old leaven has to be, purged out; 
 _and this will we.do, #-God permit. hy es 
 To this point, then, my brethren, let us bend our united 
 attention;-taking away eccasion from those who seek it, 
 and. wiping out the reproach against us; firmly setting our 
 faces against .alJ-conformity with the world:in its ungodli- 
 ness; and withholding our fellowship from all who walk 
 disorderly. This we owe to our own souls, to the honour 
 ef God, to the credit and advancement of the Church, and 
 4o-the souls of others; we owe it to that forbearing good- 
 ness which has once more revived us, and in agreement 
 with which only, ean we hope to prosper, eee 89. 
 As holiness is the mark of God’s children, ae are called. 
 to holiness, to severance -from the world, its idolatrous 
 pursuits, its vain and vicious pleasures, in ourselves and 
 in our families. ‘‘Wherefore.come out from among them, 
 and be separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I 
 will receive you, and be a father unto you, we 
 my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” . 
 
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 a 
 
 2 (eid 
 
 - “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us 
 
 cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, 
 perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” epg 
 This is the doctrine of the Episcopal Church; this is the 
 ractice in the life, which all her precepts inculcate upon 
 st members; which her discipline is constructed to en- 
 force, and which no endeavours of mine shall be wanting, 
 God being my helper, to bring to full effect. And here I 
 ami truly thankful that so many circumstances concur to 
 favour us in this essential work. No wide spread, invete- 
 rate habit of ungodliness, has yet had time to take. root 
 among us, and cause alarm at the extent of the excision 
 required. Jacob indeed is small, but he is young also, and 
 comparatively free from the great transgression. Be it 
 our care then, one and all, dear brethren, that as he in- 
 creases in stature, he may ‘grow in grace,’ and increase 
 also in ‘favour both with God and man.’ 
 Whatever reproach of this nature is brought against our 
 
 ‘ communion as yet, is brought from a distance, and there 
 ety 8 9 
 
 let us resolve that it shall remain; . whatever is now to per- 
 form of the painful duty of reproof and correction, is com- 
 paratively light; and blessed be God for it, there is no di- 
 versity of opinion among those who have the care of the 
 flock. United in this, as in all other points which con- 
 cern the peace and prosperity of our Zion, we may hum- 
 bly trust to build up those committed to our charge, “an 
 holy Temple unto the Lord.” 
 
 Secondly. That Jacob may arise as Jacob, it is essen- 
 tial that the doctrines and worship prescribed in the arti- 
 cles and liturgy of the Church, be faithfully preached and 
 adhered to by all of her communion. 
 
 On you, my brethren of the clergy, depend the hopes of 
 the Church in this diocese, for this means of resuscitation. 
 This precious deposit she has committed to your fidelity, 
 and at your hands does she require that it be exercised for 
 the increase of the body. 
 
 And here again I have to bless God, that the lines are 
 fallen to me in pleasant places. That however small the 
 number, it is a little phalanx of men sound in faith, and 
 
 ‘. united with mein one mind, and in one doctrine; that on 
 
 no point is there such a division of sentiment as leads to a 
 diversity of practice; but all can go hand in hand to the 
 object before us. That however feeble in the eyes of the 
 world, it is a band of brothers who have themselves expe- 
 rienced the power and efficacy of the truths they preach; 
 who know and feel that they are the power of God unto _ 
 salvation, and are therefore able to teach others also. Who 
 2 
 
(14) 
 
 -admire and love the scriptural simplicity, devoti 
 limity, and doctrinal security, of t at form of sound 
 in -which they lead the public worships of the sanctuary; 
 awho know that the liturgy of the Church is the great bul- 
 wark of the faith once committed to the saints; the tried 
 safeguard against the heresies of the day, of all who use it — 
 with the understanding.and the affections, == 
 
 Thus favoured of God, my burden, dear brethren, is 
 comparatively light—while my hope.is animated, that with 
 such workmen, the edifice will arise, beautiful in its pro- ° 
 portions, resplendent in holiness, and the praise of the 
 whole. earth. 4 
 
 ‘The foundation on which it rests, is the rock Christ, con- 
 fessed, and believed on, as “God over all, blessed for ever?” 
 “who for us men, and for onr salvation, came down from 
 Heaven, and was.incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Vir- 
 _gin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for 
 us, under Pontius Pilate.” “The beauty of its proportions, 
 consists in the harmony of that unsearchable wisdom— 
 whereby ‘mercy and truth are met together, righteousness 
 and peace have kissed each other’—in the unspeakable mys- 
 tery, of God made sin, that man might be made the righte- 
 ousness of God in Him. . And the splendour of its embel- 
 lishment, in the union of all its members, in the faith which 
 worketh by love, the hope which maketh not ashamed, and 
 the charity, which never faileth. cu tlh ae 
 
 This is the blessed fruit of the doctrine of the gospel, 
 and of the Church, ‘truly preached, truly rewved and 
 truly followed.” The mystery of godliness, that ‘*God 
 was manifest ‘in the flesh, justified im the spirit, seen of 
 angels, preached unto the gentiles, believed on in the 
 world, received up into-glory,” is the new sharp threshin 
 instrument predicted by the prophet, wherewith to brea 
 down the kingdom of sin, satan and death. ‘Fear not, 
 thop avorm Jacob, and ye-men of Israel, I will keep thee, 
 saith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Holy one of Israel. 
 Behold I will make thee a new sharp threshing instru- 
 ment, having teeth. Thou shalt thresh the mountains, 
 and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaffi— 
 Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, 
 and the whirlwind shall scatter them; and thou shalt re- 
 joice in the Lord, and shalt glory in the Holy one of 
 Israel.”? o 
 
 On the doctrines of the cross, then, as you have taken, 
 maintain your stand, my reverend brethren. Preach them 
 in the simplicity and sincerity of hearts that feel them, 
 with the earnestness of men, who wish to save their own, 
 
 a 
 , Se 
 
ha CO ( 15.) 
 
 __. souls and the souls of others. The entire spiritual death, . 
 and alienation of man from God, by the entertainment of 
 n; the reconciliation of God to the world, by the suffer- 
 igs and death of his only begotten Son; the atonement of 
 his blood; justification by faith; acceptance through the 
 merits of the Saviour; conversion of the heart to God; ho- 
 liness of life, the only evidence of it, and the grace of 
 God, in the renewal of the Holy Ghost, the sole agent 
 from first to last, in working out our salvation from sin” 
 here, ani from hell hereafter. _ In fewer words, “salvation 
 by grace, through faith, not of works, lest amy man should. 
 . beast.2% Pe i 
 _ Bat with these vital and Heaven-blessed doctrines, oth= 
 er points of edification to those of your charge, and to- 
 your general hearers, will require your attention, my re- 
 verend brothers; particularly that of the: distinctive cha- 
 racter of the Church. On_this,.a most lamentable igno- 
 rance prevails, and most unfounded opinions are becoming 
 established, not. only among Episcopalians; but at large. 
 To permit this ignorance to continue undisturbed, is to be- 
 fals e to our-ordination vows, to our acknowledged princi- 
 ples, to the interests of our communion, and to the souls 
 committed to our care; and however amiable in appearance, 
 the principie- on which-we act may be, reflection shews:it® 
 to be a mistaken one, and experience proves it to have 
 been injurious. If we hold principles that are indefensi- 
 ble, let us abandon them. But if they are our principles, 
 interwoven into the very frame of our polity—impregna- 
 ble in their-truth, and essential in the great work we have’ 
 in hand; let us not appear ashamed of them, or weakly 
 afraid of the consequences, and thus become parties to: 
 that miserable delusion, which weakens us a body, strength- 
 ens the ranks of our. adversaries, and, 1 will fearlessly 
 say, weakens the cause of true religion, by tacitly owning” 
 one division after another, until the great master principle 
 of the Church of God, its unity, is merged in the mass of 
 christian names, and swallowed up by- the indifference and 
 infidelity thus fostered. - 
 
 If, then, we would be found faithful to ourselves, to the: 
 Church whose commission we bear, and to the souls com- 
 mitted to our trust; this doctrine of the distinctive cha- 
 racter of the Church, must be fully unfolded and laid be- 
 fore our people. ‘Their attention must be called to it, on 
 the grounds of scriptural reason.. The purpose of this 
 wise and merciful appointment of Almighty God in the 
 salvation of sinners, must be dwelt upon.and enforced, by 
 ‘all those weighty arguments and’ authorities which the 
 
 > 
 
(16) - 
 
 word of God so richly supplies. The i ‘a Re 
 ficacy of authorised ministrations, of valid sacraments, 
 must be elucidated and confirmed, by the analogies which 
 govern men in temporary things, and by the m S80 
 demonstrably resorted to by God himself, both under the 
 law and under the gospel, to give certainty and assurance 
 to men in things so unspeakably important. These are the 
 points to be presented to our people, -to be pressed upon 
 
 the understandings and the feelings of our hearers, in 
 connection with the other doctrines of the gospel—that 
 they may learn to estimate aright their privileges; and va- 
 Ining, to cleave to them. ‘Thirdly. That Jacob may 
 arise in his true character, a steadfast and uniform ‘adhe- 
 rence to the liturgy and offices of the Church, as set forth 
 
 in the book of Gommon Prayer,and administration of the 
 sacraments, .must be observed. reese : 
 
 In this duty, it is my happiness to believe, that you, 
 my reverend brethren, are found faithful. As honest 
 men—independent of your christian character, I could 
 expect no less. But in this liberal and latitudinarian age, 
 this duty is sometimes rendered painful, by the wish to 
 yield in some degree to the prejudices of a mixed congre- 
 gation; and by the hope, that conforming in this respect, 
 they may be won over. In aid of this dereliction of duty, 
 the points objected, are artfully represented as things in- 
 different in themselves, and therefore to be yielded in fa- 
 vour of christian fellowship. Ali this, howeyer, is mere 
 pretence; for if they are points really indifferent, the fault 
 snust ever be with those, who on such grounds separate them- 
 selves, from what never can be- viewed with indifference 
 by any serious person. And whatever pretences may be 
 urged, they are all fallacious, and proved to ke so by ex- 
 perience, For whatever the principle of accommodation 
 may be capable of in other things, it has ever failed’ in 
 
 ints of religious dissent—and | am yet to learn, in what 
 instances the surrender of principles. or even of ¢istinc- 
 tive points, has profited those who have tried the danger- 
 ous experiment. My brethren, the attempt has ever been 
 in vain, and has issued in weakening and degrading those 
 who have resorted to it; and the reason is obvious: Princi- 
 pies, religious principles especially, are presumed to be 
 well considered—adopted as the best, and on the highest 
 authority. To hold them then, as things that may be dis- 
 pensed with, may be accommodated, may be yielded, is 
 viewed as the mark of a weak or an insincere mind. 
 
 To act upon this expectation then, is to court defeat, 
 while it is at the same time to expose ourselves te con- 
 
{ 17) i ee 
 
 fempt, as men of lax principles and designine conduct. 
 A stigma of al] others the most severe upon a minister of 
 religion; who, in common with all christians, but in a high- 
 er degree ought to have his conversation in the world, in 
 Simplicity and godly sincerity. And what has been the 
 effect of such a course, in the trials that have! unhappily 
 been made by Episcopal clergymen? Has our communion 
 
 gained or lost by it? Where is the addition obtained by 
 “this surrender of private and public-principle? It has lost, 
 
 my reverend and lay brethren, by this Judas Hike method 
 
 - of betraying it into the hands of its enemies, with a kiss. 
 
 And what have the individuals, who have thus acted, 
 gained by it? They have gained the name, perhaps, of 
 liberal and charitable; and have lost the esteem of all 
 sound churchmen: while they have not gained the confi- 
 dence of those, who nevertheless flattered their. enlarged 
 views of christian liberty and evangelical piety; because, 
 in the midst of this flattery, they are obliged to view them 
 as false to the most solemn pledges that can be given of 
 sincerity of opinion, and integrity of practice. 
 
 In all such cases, the question with an Episcopal clergy- 
 man, is not, whether our general principles, or ourmethod 
 of conducting public worship by a fixed form, be scriptu- 
 ral, profitable, or even evangelical; this ought to have been 
 settled on the most serfous investigation, before he assumes 
 the orders of the Church. Whatever discretion he had as 
 to this and other points of required conformity, is then 
 given up; nor can he continue to wear the livery of the 
 Church, and thus act, without the guilt of the most sub- 
 
 Jimated perjury. 
 
 Alas! that it should be necessary to warn against the 
 influence of such an example elsewhere. But as the evil 
 exists, and this view of the subject includes every plea for 
 nonconformity to the doctrines and worship of the P. E. 
 Church in the United States, I think it due to you, and to 
 the sincerity with which I am bound to act, to shew dis- 
 tinctly, at the commencement of my administration, the 
 principles by which I am guided. 
 
 Fourthly. For the ‘increase and advancement of true 
 godliness, let me recommend the observance and cultiva- 
 tion of family religion. 
 
 Without this root and spring, under God, ofall holy de- 
 sires, all good counsels, and all just works, hope is vain for 
 the Church and the State; we shall sink into a nation of 
 infidels. 
 
 That the practice has declined in the families of profes- 
 sing christians; that it is abandoned in all others, is known 
 
( 38 ) 
 
 by all who hear me at this moment. And that the conse? 
 quences are the bitter fruit of increasing crime and pro- 
 faneness, is recorded in every court, and witnessed by eve- 
 ry sabbath. Oh Rid 
 
 But, my brethren and hearers, could this be so, were 
 the principles of our holy religion, early and carefully in- 
 stilled into the minds of the rising hope of this great and 
 growing christian nation? Was the fear of God, and the 
 reverence of his most holy name, and the observance of 
 his worship, and the knowledge of his life-giving precepts, 
 inculcated and manifested in our families, would so little 
 of it be seen in the world? Awake, then, from this tor- 
 prs ye christian fathers and mothers—from this deadly de- 
 
 usion of adulterated religion, which is so fast swallowing 
 up the dearest hope you can entertain of a happy eternity, 
 with those who are dearest to you here. Trample under 
 your feet, those pestilent doctrines which inevitably lead 
 to this criminal neglect, by confiding the hope, and by ne- 
 cessary consequence, the duties of the gospel to a chosen 
 few. Arise to the blessed assurance of God’s public mes- 
 sage bv his only begotten Son—“that. he hath not appoint- 
 ed you or them to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our 
 Lord Jesus Christ; “who by the grace of God, tasted 
 death for every man.” Believe this his true and faithful 
 word, against all the sophistry of men; diligently use and 
 apply the means provided by the wisdom and goodness of 
 God, for your advancement in knowledge, and growth in 
 grace; and no longer suffer your children to grow up like - 
 the wild ass’s colt, alike ignorant of God and of them- 
 selves, of the word of his grace, of his sabbaths, his ordi- 
 nances, his mercies, his judgments, and that eternity in 
 which all these end, and where you and they must meet, 
 to enjoy or to suffer for ever, according tothe improvement 
 or abuse here, of the talents committed to your trust. 
 
 Oh! it is an awakening thought to contemplate a god- 
 less gospel family, assembled before the judgment seat of 
 Christ, and to carry out the consequence to the miser 
 that awaits them; and that misery doubled by the near an 
 dear ties which connect them; Hell made hotter by the 
 endless reproach—we neglected our children’s souls—my 
 father and mother hardened me against God—they trained 
 me to perdition. vi 
 
 Oh! it is a heart-cheering, soul-enlivening vision, to go 
 in the mind’s meditation, with the faithful father and 
 mother, to the same awful tribunal, and see the holy con- 
 fidence with which they stand and say—* Behold us, Lord, 
 and the children thou hast given us.” We have taught 
 
(19) 
 
 them thy fear; and by thy grace kept them in the way; 
 we surrender them to thy mercy, through thy dear Son. 
 ‘*Well done, good and faithful servants, ye have been 
 faithful in a few things, enter ye into the joy of your 
 Lord.” But who can speak that joy, when all the dear 
 ties of nature in this life shall be refined, purified:and per- 
 petuated in glory; when conjugal, parental and filial love, 
 shall be swallowed up, but not lost, in the love and en- 
 joyment of God forever. sci 
 And is this, dear brethren, a result, in the one case »to 
 be shunned as destruction; in the other to be desired jas 
 life? Oh, if it be! (and what christian parent does not feel 
 that it is all this?) let the plain and certain road to the at- 
 tainment of this blessedness, be pursued by all. iscard 
 for ever, my brethren and hearers, this murderous neglect 
 of. the souls of your children and servants; and as you are 
 able, call them round the family altar, and invoke the 
 blessing, the promised blessing of God, upon your hol 
 purpose; restrain them from all violations of the Lord’s. 
 day; cultivate his fear in their hearts; and shew, by the 
 example of your lives, that you fear his name, and hope in 
 his mercy. 5 , oe 
 Especially upon you, my Episcopalybrethren, is this pri- 
 mary duty enforced, by every pri iple you pele by 
 every obhgation that can be artaken, and by every 
 sanction known to time and toeternity. Your baptismal 
 sponsion for your children involves it, by the solemn stipu- 
 lations then entered into; anid the promises of God therein 
 sealed to them, is your fall and sufficient warrant, to en- 
 gage in this fruitful work, with assurance of success. Let, 
 then, the inscriptionssn your dwellings be, “As for me 
 and my house, we ofl serve the Lord.’”? To this source 
 of supply, the Church looks, for the enlargement of her 
 border, the extension of her communion—for the spread 
 of the gospel, and’its triumph over all its enemies. 
 _ And to what: other source can we reasonably look, my 
 brethren, not only for the advancement, but for the con- 
 tinuance of religion among us. Let us ask ourselves, and 
 reflect seriously upon it—what proportion do the conver- 
 sions, which we occasionally hear of, bear to the numbers. 
 annually coming into and going out of life? In this state, 
 do they amount to 500 in the year—to one for every 
 100,000 of its population? I know not; but I doubt it. 
 But say they amount to five times this number, and are all 
 sound conversions of the heart to God—what is this to the 
 annual drain by death, of souls dead to God, unprepared 
 for eternity; what to the multitudes who know not Gad, 
 
(20) bie ae 
 
 and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Chm 
 have grown up without him, and must in all probability 
 die without him; what is this to the thousands coming for- 
 ward, into life, the hope of days to come, equaily unfurnish-- 
 ed—O let the alarming calculation startle us from this de- 
 lusion of double death, and convert us from dependence 
 on the extraordinary, to the serious use of the ordinary 
 means which God has'provided, commanded, and promised 
 to bless, in training up our children in the nurture and 
 admonition of the Lord, that his converting grace may 
 change their hearts, transform their lives, and enrich the 
 Church and the world, with sound and instructed believ- 
 ers, serious and experienced christians, and firm profess- 
 ors of the hope of the gospel. Thus, and thus only, shall 
 the objections of the infidel be done away; the vain rea- 
 sonings of the disputer of this world be answered and re- 
 futed; and the means corresponding with the end, and the 
 fruit crowning the work, make all men see, that God is 
 with us of a truth. Thus adorning the doctrine of God 
 our Saviour, by the union of profession and practice, Ja- 
 cob shall arise, and his light shine. ‘Thus shall his seed 
 possess the gate of his enemies, and the Lord whom we 
 seek shall suddenly come to his temple, and ‘the glory of 
 this latter house shall be greater than the former, Saith the 
 Lord of Hosts.” 
 
 Lastly—Our pecuniary means must be reserved for the 
 wants of our own communion. 
 
 This is so plain and obvious a duty, that at first sight, 
 it would appear superfluous to mention it; yet certain it is, 
 that in this respect, bye oe have manifested an ea- 
 siness in yielding to the Solicitations. of other demomina- 
 tions, which can be justified on no sound principle of re- 
 gard for the Church, or feeling sense of the wants and pri- 
 vations of their immediate brethren; and the time I think 
 is come, when it is absolutely necessary to act differently. 
 Jacob is small, and he must continue so, if his patrimony 
 is squandered upon strangers. It is the dictate of inspir- 
 ed wisdom, my brethren, ‘‘that if any provide not for his 
 own, especially those of his own house—he hath denied 
 the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” ‘This rule, both 
 of reason and religion, will apply in the closest manner, 
 to the present condition of the Church in this diocese, and 
 to the present duty of all the members and friends of our 
 communion, and should regulate and restrain, the indis- 
 criminate expenditure of her means, for purposes, which if 
 not hostile, are certainly unprofitable. 
 
 ‘ 
 
 who | 
 
(21) 
 
 If I could paint to you, as vividly as I have witnessed, 
 and now feel, the destitute condition of our brethren— 
 men agreeing in faith, doctrine and worship with ourselves, 
 and the general call there is, “come over and help us”— 
 the necessity as well as propriety, in the truest religious 
 sense, of adopting and acting henceforth upon this princi< 
 ple, would need no enforcement from me. Your hearts 
 would feel, for congregations destitute of ministers and or- 
 dinances; Jacob’s feeble hands would not be lifted up in 
 vain; the Church of your fathers, and of your affections, 
 would no longer be dry-nursed, to succour her opponents; 
 but all would be united for one object, and your bounty 
 flow in one enriching stream of nourishment, growth and 
 strength to our Zion. Oh! if Thad but the thousands, 
 which have heretofore-been drawn away from her exigen- 
 cies, how easily would all our wants of this kind be sup= 
 plied. Itis gone, however, and regret will not bring it 
 back. But if it shall teach us to adopt and adhere to a 
 different course for the time to come, it will so far be again, 
 and there is yet enough left in the piety, and affection and. 
 affluence of the Episcopal body in this diocese, to meet all 
 ourreasonable demands. All that is required, is to act 
 upon principle, by system. 
 
 Much will be said against this my advice to you, my 
 brethren; and I doubt not it will be called illiberal, un- 
 charitable, perhaps unchristian. But by whom will suck 
 truly unchristian terms be applied to it? by those only, 
 whose interest it is that you should not discriminate. By 
 those, who act themselves as a body, and rigidly too, upon 
 this very principle—who have drawn largely on the easi- 
 ness, or indiiference of your liberality; but have never re- 
 turned a cent for the dollar, to our wants, and never will; 
 or by those who cloak real disregard to all religion, under 
 the motley mask of equal regard for all denominations. 
 Regard them not, therefore, my brethren; but strong in the 
 sdundness of the principle, and the obligation of the duty, 
 as christians and Churchmen, reserve what you have to 
 spare in the service of religion, for the wants of your own 
 communion. That certainly has the first and highest 
 claim upon your ability, upon your bountys a claim which 
 no sophistry can invalidate—which no mistaken views of 
 liberality and charity towards the opinions or the practices 
 of others, should either weaken or defeat. 
 
 According then, as the distinctive character of the Church 
 is understood im its principles, applied in the use, and re- 
 garded in the hearts-of its members, will it be cherished 
 and flourish. According as the walk and conversation ir 
 
the'world, of those who call themselves. 
 shall be as becometh the gospel of Christ, 
 cause heaven-descended claims, be owned, a 
 and acted upon, in the regeneration of a fallen 
 according as we shew, that it is all this in our | . 
 my clerical and lay brethren—by the zéal and bes : 
 with which we unite and persevere in the work w have in’ 
 hand, ‘will Jacob arise’—“Will a little’ one become a’ 
 thousand, aud a small one, a-strong nation? == 
 ‘To this work you have called me; to this work the Lord 
 through you hath devoted-me; and to your service, such as 
 Iam, I-give myself without reserve. Accept, then, the. 
 first fruits of the deep concern I feél for your- adyance- 
 ment: of the observation and experience Ihave had op- 
 portunity for,-and of that sacred regard» for your present. — 
 and eternal welfare, which occupies my thoughts, my” 
 prayers, my labours. And may He that holdeth the seven. 
 stars in his right hand; who walketh in the midst of the 
 seven golden candlesticks, be with us-in all our undertak-— 
 ings, to bless and prosper us in building up the old waste’ 
 places; in raising up the foundations of many generations;: 
 that we may indeed be called the repairer of She breach, - . 
 the restorer of paths to dwell in. eS 
 Now unto Him, &c.. 
 
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