290 Deuteronomy, V. 28, 29. [194.

effects of his ministry. They will love his person ; they will enjoy his preaching; they will tread in his steps; and they will shine as lights in a dark world. What, then, might not be hoped for, if all who have undertaken the sacred office of the ministry, fulfilled their engagements in the way we have before de- scribed ? What if all prayed the prayers, instead of reading them ; and laboured out of the pulpit, as well as in it ; striving to bring all their people, " not only to the knowledge and love of Christ, but to such ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ, as to leave no room among them, either for error in religion, or for viciousness of life ?" If there were such exertions made in every parish, we should hear no more com- plaints about the increase of Dissenters. The people's prejudices in general are in favour of the Establish- ment : and the more any persons have considered the excellence of the Liturgy, the more are they attached to the Established Church. Some indeed would entertain prejudices against it, even if all the twelve Apostles were members of it, and ministered in it : but, in general, it is a want of zeal in its ministers, and not any want of purity in its institutions, that gives such an advantage to Dissenters. Let me not be misunderstood, as though by these observations I meant to suggest any thing disrespectful of the Dissenters ; (for I honour all that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, of whatever church they be ; and I wish them, from my heart, every blessing that their souls can desire :) but, whilst I see such abundant means of edification in the Church of England, I cannot but regret that any occasion should be given to men to seek for that in other places, which is so richly provided for them in their own church. Only let us be faithful to our engagements, and our churches will be crowded, our sacraments thronged, our hearers edified : good institutions will be set on foot ; liberality will be exercised, the poor benefited, the ignorant enlightened, the distressed comforted; yea, and our " wilderness world will rejoice and blossom as the rose." O that we might see this happy day; which,