O, how unable will many be to stand in the day of accounts! How will they endure the cries of distressed souls, saying, our guides have misled us, our watchmen have betrayed us, our stewards have defrauded us, and following their example hath undone us for ever.

P. At this rate, we shall soon have our churches deserted.

D. I hope not. I advise my congregation through all difficulties and discouraging aspects, rather to hear, pity, and pray for you, than to go where the effect may be still worse.

The

pure word of God is read by me, and this is always profitable. My liturgy contains much truth; whereas in many other places errors equally dangerous, but more subtle and imperceptible, are broached, without the same scripture truths to counterbalance.

P. What places do you mean?

D. All places where a cold, dull, extemporary service, void of God, is below even form itself. Wherever Jesus Christ is not displayed as a saviour from sin. Matt. i. 21. One that cleanses from all unrighteousness, Ezek. xxxvi. 25-29. 1 John i. 9. Wherever strict obligations to obedience, Rom. vi. 15, 16, 18. Heb. v. 9. 1 Pet. ii. 2. Faith that has assurance of God's favour, Rom. v. 1. Heb. xi. 1. 1 John v. 10. The necessity of growing in grace, in order to salvation, Matt. xxiv. 13. Rev. xxi. 7, 22, 24. The giving all diligence to make our calling and election sure, 2 Pet. i. 10. are not urged. Wherever the marks of grace, John viii. 12, 31. xiii. 35. xv. 8. Gal. v. 22-24. James iii. 17. 1

John iii. 14. and evidences of adoption, Rom. 14—16. are brought below the scripture standard: Wherever the living in sin, is said not finally to separate believers from God: Whereever the eternity and equality of the triune persons of one self-subsistent Jehovah are not taught: from these I warn all to flee.

To sum up what I have said: before your labours can succeed, you must be converted yourself, and declare the truth as it is in Jesus.1 The want of which has long forced the best members of the church to leave her communion; and such as you have been a constant cause of every rent and division. For what by your cold and corrupt doctrine, loose, disorderly living, being at the head of every idle diversion, subscribing and then deriding the fundamentals of your own church, the congregation must necessarily think that either I was grown blind with age, or else conceive still worse of you.

Indeed, you seem determined to die in your sins, and be the destruction of others. I have no hope of your reformation. I see you are sermon-proof, and past conviction, and would rather be refuted by a thousand scriptures, than have one act of parliament take you, or your emoluments in hand. But before we part, let me once for all, warn you not to ruin one soul more, by adding falsehood to God's word: dare not again to say, "the just man falls into sin seven times a day." The scripture testifies,-

1 1 Tim. iv, 16.

he that committeth sin is of the devil: And saith concerning affliction, the just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again, but the wicked shall fall into mischief.2

P. If I must speak the truth, I never intend to preach your doctrine. I shall still think for myself. Your authority is but human, your office not founded on divine revelation. I read

nothing of you in the Bible, which you tell me contains all articles of faith, refutes every evil, enforces every good, and leaves no room for discovering unrevealed truths.3

D. I will not presume beyond due restrictions, but readily acknowledge myself confined within the limits of human appointment, and am always ready to give place to a more spiritual service. My desire is only to espouse scripture: I plead not for my office, but the truth I contain. And how requisite seeing the times are perilous; and I am surrounded on all hands with those who first subscribe, and then deny. If you did not profess a regard for my authority, there would be no room to require you to follow me. And certainly wherein I advance what is just, those that live by my influence, and pretend to adhere to me, are bound in conscience to receive me. If you did not think ine scriptural, you should not have given your hand pretending to be my friend, when you were, indeed, my mortal foe.

To conclude: It is therefore most needful instantly to do one thing; and now I call aloud,

1 1 John iii, 8.

3 Page 74.

2 Prov. xxiv, 15, 16.

4 2 Tim. iv, 3, 4.

and insist on all that attend my service, to declare who they are for, you or me. Let each ask another, will you stand by the Desk, or by the Pulpit? Embrace scripture, and walk in the good old way;1 or turn away your ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables. I trust I shall find some who will regard the oracles of God, and flee from ignorance and delusion. But as the greater part always love the broad way, and choose the wide gate, I fear you will have most on your side, and this will cause me to go mourning all my days. I shall still consume away, and my grey hairs will at last be brought with sorrow to the grave. But, lest my death should be more sudden than may be expected, I think it expedient to give my last directions; and bequeath my authority to those who are worthy to receive it.

1 Jer. vi, 16.

2 2 Tim. iv, 4.

THE

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT,

Of the Reading Desk of the Church of England, made this Ist. day of September, 1776, as follows:

First, I bequeath to my true sons and zealous servants, all the church Bibles, common-prayer books, and books of homilies, throughout England and Ireland, with the doctrines therein contained, and free and full liberty to preach in all churches and chapels in the king's dominions, to them and their heirs for ever, upon this condition, that they preach no other doctrine than the fundamental truths contained in the book of homilies set forth by king Edward the sixth, the church liturgy, and catechism. And as for all the tythes, offerings, and other ecclesiastical benefices, I give them to the Pulpit, to enjoy during this vain life: but upon this proviso, that he never more attempt to mount the rostrum, or publicly or privately teach or preach, or in any other way corrupt or molest the congregation, but quietly resign the place of a teacher; and with all speed collect together for himself, all the sermons, and books wherein the modern